Event

Goal

The goal of the class is to discuss the topics of Open Science and Reproducibility in the Social Sciences. Students will develop an understanding of the challenges that the field has been facing since the start of the Reproducibility Crisis and possible solutions to the problem will be evaluated and discussed in class.

Description

Starting in around 2011, the Social Sciences have entered a so-called Reproducibility Crisis as many findings made in previous studies showed to be difficult or impossible to replicate, a problem casting doubt on the validity of research findings in the field. In class, we will discuss the proposed causes of the crisis – ranging from bad incentive structures in the publication process over statistical malpractice to upright fraud – and their possible solutions. The class will help students to develop an understanding of current debates and challenges from a meta-science perspective.

The class will be held in English.

Grading

There will be weekly homework assignment based on the articles discussed. Additionally, students are required to hold a short presentation, in which they summarize the key message of an article. The scientific literature will be provided to the students.

The homework and presentation will be given in English.

Workload

The total workload for this course is estimated to be 90 hours (30 hours per ECTS / 2 SWS). The class will meet once peer week (Thursday morning 10-12) over the semester to discuss an article on the topic. The homework (including the reading and course preparation) is estimated to take 3h-5h each week.

Comment

This course is based on the Reproducibilitea initiative at the University of Oxford. See here for more information: https://reproducibilitea.org