Replication Research Series-Paper 1 : A concept analysis and meta-narrative review established a comprehensive theoretical definition of replication research to improve its use

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to clarify the concept of replication research to improve its appropriate use by researchers, editors, research funders, and decision makers.

Study design and setting: We combined concept analysis and metanarrative review methods to synthetize knowledge on replication research from various scientific fields. We used multiple search strategies to identify the relevant literature published before April 2018. We summarized the data by seeking commonalities and differences in underlying conceptual and theoretical assumptions in the literature.

Results: A total of 153 articles from various disciplines were included. The analysis led to the identification of three major definitions of replication: the repetition of a previous study, the extension of a previous study, and the road-testing of a theory. Attributes, conditions required to conduct replication studies, concerns related to the interpretation of replication studies, and diverse replication research typologies were synthesized, combined, and analyzed. Based on this metanarrative review, a comprehensive theoretical definition of replication research was formulated.

Conclusion: This study can support the adoption of a shared understanding and recognition of the indispensable nature of replication research for the sound development of knowledge in all research fields.

Keywords: Concept analysis; Metanarrative review; Reliability; Replication; Reproducibility; Validity.