Research practices and statistical reporting quality in 250 economic psychology master’s theses: A meta-research investigation

Author(s)

Jerome Olsen, Johanna Mosen, Martin Voracek, Erico Kirchler

Abstract

The replicability of research findings has recently been disputed across multiple scientific disciplines. In constructive reaction, the research culture in psychology is facing fundamental changes, but investigations of research practices that led to these improvements have almost exclusively focused on academic researchers. By contrast, we investigated the statistical reporting quality and selected indicators of questionable research practices (QRPs) in psychology students' master's theses. In a total of 250 theses, we investigated utilization and magnitude of standardized effect sizes, along with statistical power, the consistency and completeness of reported results, and possible indications of p-hacking and further testing. Effect sizes were reported for 36% of focal tests (median r = 0.19), and only a single formal power analysis was reported for sample size determination (median observed power 1 − β = 0.67). Statcheck revealed inconsistent p-values in 18% of cases, while 2% led to decision errors. There were no clear indications of p-hacking or further testing. We discuss our findings in the light of promoting open science standards in teaching and student supervision.

Organisation(s)

Department of Occupational, Economic and Social Psychology, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology

Journal

The Royal Society Open Science

Volume

6

No. of pages

16

ISSN

2054-5703

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.190738

Publication date

12-2019

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

501029 Economic psychology

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/14a70486-fbb5-41c9-bd00-a1fe5f0d4ebb