Replication Research, Publication Bias, and Applied Behavior Analysis

• Published in: Perspectives on behavior science Vol. 42; no. 1; pp. 59 - 75
• Main Authors: Tincani, Matt, Travers, Jason
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.03.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied behavior analysis; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Bias; Commentary; Psychology; Publishing; Research methodology; Researchers; School environment; Science; Scientists; File drawer effect; Applied behavior analysis; Replication; Publication bias; Behavior science; Single-case design
• ISSN: 2520-8969; 2520-8977; 2520-8977
• DOI: 10.1007/s40614-019-00191-5

The “replication crisis” describes recent difficulties in replicating studies in various scientific fields, most notably psychology. The available evidence primarily documents replication failures for group research designs. However, we argue that contingencies of publication bias that led to the “replication crisis” also operate on applied behavior analysis (ABA) researchers who use single-case research designs (SCRD). This bias strongly favors publication of SCRD studies that show strong experimental effect, and disfavors publication of studies that show less robust effect. The resulting research literature may unjustifiably inflate confidence about intervention effects, limit researchers’ ability to delineate intervention boundary conditions, and diminish the credibility of our science. To counter problems of publication bias in ABA, we recommend that journals that publish SCRD research establish journal standards for publication of noneffect studies; that our research community adopt open sharing of SCRD protocols and data; and that members of our community routinely publish systematic literature reviews that include gray (i.e., unpublished) research.