Abstract

MASTERCLASS WORKSHOP

In 2013, Cortex became the first journal to offer Registered Reports, a format of preregistered empirical publication in which peer review happens prior to data collection and analysis (see https://cos.io/rr/). The aim of Registered Reports is to overcome publication bias and various forms of researcher bias (e.g. selective reporting of statistically significant results and hindsight bias), by performing peer review in part before studies commence. Publishability is then decided by the importance of the research question/theory and quality of the methodology, and never based on the results of hypothesis testing. In this talk I will introduce the concept of Registered Reports and provide an update on its progress, including its uptake by more than 170 journals, including outlets in the Nature group, generalist journals including Royal Society Open Science, and emerging randomised trial formats. I will also discuss early evidence of impacts on the field and emerging Registered Report funding models in which journals and funders simultaneously assess proposed protocols. Together with a wide range of allied initiatives, Registered Reportare helping to reshape the life and social sciences to place theory, transparency and reproducibility at the forefront. The session will include an audience-led Q&A and open discussion.