Editorial: A Call for Replications of Research in Pediatric Psychology and Guidance for Authors

Abstract

Various scientists have underscored the critical need for replication of research findings in the development of science, including behavioral science (Cohen, 1994; Hedges, 1987; Robinson & Levin, 1997; Shaver & Norton, 1980). However, replication of research in behavioral science in general and pediatric psychology in particular has been limited (Kline, 2004, 2009). My review of articles in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology (JPP) for the past several years indicate that replications of research findings in our field are rare. There are several reasons for this: The editorial process for scholarly journals places a high premium on new and innovative research findings rather than replications. Grant review criteria used by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that emphasize innovative research may also inhibit research replications. Although the reasons are understandable, the relative absence of replication limits the cumulative impact, generalizability, and ultimately the validity of science (Cohen, 1994; Robinson & Levin, 1997). To address the need for more frequent research replications in the field of pediatric psychology, the purpose of this editorial is to describe the importance of research replication, types and exemplars of study replication, issue a call for replication research, and provide guidance for authors in submitting replications to JPP.