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Reproduce to validate: A comprehensive study on the reproducibility of economics research

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  • Sylvérie Herbert
  • Hautahi Kingi
  • Flavio Stanchi
  • Lars Vilhuber

Abstract

Journals have pushed for transparency of research through data availability policies. Such data policies improve availability of data and code, but what is the impact on reproducibility? We present results from a large reproduction exercise for articles published in the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, which has had a data availability policy since its inception in 2009. Out of 363 published articles, we assessed 274 articles. All articles provided some materials. We excluded 122 articles that required confidential or proprietary data or that required the replicator to otherwise obtain the data (44.5% of assessed articles). We attempted to reproduce 152 articles and were able to fully reproduce the results of 68 (44.7% of attempted reproductions). A further 66 (43.4% of attempted reproductions) were partially reproduced. Many articles required complex code changes even when at least partially reproduced. We collect bibliometric characteristics of authors, but find no evidence for author characteristics as determinants of reproducibility. There does not appear to be a citation bonus for reproducibility. The data availability policy of this journal was effective to ensure availability of materials, but is insufficient to ensure reproduction without additional work by replicators. Les journaux militent pour la transparence de la recherche par le biais de politiques sur la disponibilité des données. De telles politiques sur les données améliorent la disponibilité des données et du code, mais quelle en est l'incidence sur la reproductibilité? Nous présentons les résultats d'un grand exercice de reproduction pour des articles publiés dans le American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, qui a une politique de disponibilité des données depuis sa création en 2009. Parmi les 363 articles publiés, nous en évaluons 274. Tous les articles avaient fourni certains documents. Nous avons exclu 122 articles qui nécessitaient des données confidentielles ou exclusives, ou qui exigeaient que la personne chargée de la réplication obtienne autrement les données (44,5% des articles évalués). Nous avons tenté de reproduire 152 articles et avons réussi à entièrement reproduire les résultats de 68 articles (44,7% des reproductions tentées). Nous avons aussi partiellement reproduit 66 autres articles (43,4% des reproductions tentées). De nombreux articles nécessitaient de complexes changements de code, même lorsqu'ils étaient au moins partiellement reproduits. Nous avons recueilli les caractéristiques bibliométriques des auteurs, mais n'avons pas constaté qu'elles étaient déterminantes pour la reproductibilité. La reproductibilité ne semble offrir aucun avantage en matière de citations. La politique de disponibilité des données de ce journal a été efficace pour assurer la disponibilité des documents, mais insuffisante pour assurer la reproduction sans travail supplémentaire des personnes chargées de la réplication.

Suggested Citation

  • Sylvérie Herbert & Hautahi Kingi & Flavio Stanchi & Lars Vilhuber, 2024. "Reproduce to validate: A comprehensive study on the reproducibility of economics research," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 57(3), pages 961-988, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:57:y:2024:i:3:p:961-988
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12728
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    References listed on IDEAS

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