Question: What is reproducibility?

Answer


“Reproducibility” refers to the ability of independent researchers to arrive at the same results as an original researcher, using their original research materials.

Make sure your software and data will work on someone else's computer. Ask yourself the following:

  • Can another researcher locate your dataset and your software? Do they know what the software is supposed to do?
  • Do they have enough information to get the software to run and produce the intended results without calling you on the phone?
  • Are there decisions that you've made or specifics about the environment where you did your programming that you have not documented?
  • Do you have hard coded file paths that refer to specific places on your personal computer's file system that might not work on someone else’s? /Downloads/Maria will only work if you share the same username and operating system with someone :)

Note that "someone else's computer" might be a different location where you want to run your own software, such as the HPC (High Performance Computers) or your collaborator’s laptop.

Answered By: Data Services
Last Updated: Mar 03, 2025Views:

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