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Reproducible Research

Good scientific practice requires research to be reproducible. However, most research involving digital data processing is pretty far away from this goal – and can therefore eventually not be considered scientific. These pages are about some ideas, concepts and tools allowing responsible scientists to make their research more reproducible and reliable.

Science imposes responsibility on scientists

If I have seen further, it is by standing on ye shoulders of giants.Sir Isaak Newton1)

Properly defining the term “science” is notoriously difficult. Nevertheless, some aspects are most probably common sense:

  • Science is based on results previously achieved by others.
  • Results should be independent of the scientist.
  • Science aims at gaining knowledge about the world surrounding us.
  • Results should be independently reproducible.

This immediately reveals scientific research to be a responsible undertaking. Scientists bear responsibility towards those building upon their results. Interpretations may and will change, data should remain unchanged and unquestioned. Therefore, data need to be recorded and documented to the best of our knowledge and belief.

1)
Letter to Robert Hooke, February 5, 1676
index.1548455304.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/01/25 23:28 by till