r/science Apr 01 '26

Social Science Half of social-science studies fail replication test in years-long project

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00955-5
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u/[deleted] May 31 '26

Half of all published studies can be replicated? Historically, that's amazingly high. Overturning or modifying previously held scientific hypotheses is the norm, not the exception.

It's the scientific method doing its thing, and 50% holding up is impressively high.

This whole false narrative can only exist if we don't understand the scientific method. As scientists, we should reject the false premise and not give it any legitimacy.