title: Reproducibility in science: improving the standard for basic and preclinical research.
abstract: Medical and scientific advances are predicated on new knowledge that is robust and reliable and that serves as a solid foundation on which further advances can be built. In biomedical research, we are in the midst of a revolution with the generation of new data and scientific publications at a previously unprecedented rate. However, unfortunately, there is compelling evidence that the majority of these discoveries will not stand the test of time. To a large extent, this reproducibility crisis in basic and preclinical research may be as a result of failure to adhere to good scientific practice and the desperation to publish or perish. This is a multifaceted, multistakeholder problem. No single party is solely responsible, and no single solution will suffice. Here we review the reproducibility problems in basic and preclinical biomedical research, highlight some of the complexities, and discuss potential solutions that may help improve research quality and reproducibility.
authors.affiliation: From the TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Malvern, PA; and Departments of Medicine and Health Research and Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Statistics, Stanford University School of Humanities and Sciences, and Meta-Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS), CA.
authors.forename: C Glenn
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Begley
authors.affiliation: From the TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Malvern, PA; and Departments of Medicine and Health Research and Policy, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Statistics, Stanford University School of Humanities and Sciences, and Meta-Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS), CA. jioannid@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: John P A
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ioannidis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
keywords: funding; journals; research integrity; universities