A note on the discussion regarding terrorism and land use in agriculture

Abstract

Ideally, scientific results are communicated such that they can be critically assessed, discussed, and used for future research by the scientific community. Replication studies that test and also verify earlier results ensure trust in the scientific work and discussion culture. In this note, we illustrate main challenges in replication studies using the example of a recently published replication attempt of a paper entitled ’Terrorism and land use in agriculture: The case of Boko Haram in Nigeria’ on the effects of armed conflict on agricultural land use and the corresponding reaction of the authors of the initial research paper. We argue that a comprehensive, transparent description of the data and methods used is just as crucial as the opportunity to objectively, constructively, and fairly discuss criticism during the replication process. From this series of articles, we further derive lessons for replication debates in general by highlighting challenges and possible ways of dealing with strained relations between authors and replicators. Rethinking solutions to ensure supportive collaborations is crucial in shaping the future discourse surrounding replication debates.