Generalizing research findings for enhanced reproducibility: an approach based on verbal alternative representations

Abstract

Research aims at generating research claims. The paper introduces a "border of meaning", abbreviated BOM, as a mode of representation of research findings that supplements statistical tests. The suggested approach was originally developed in a pedagogical context of promoting conceptual understanding in education. Here we aim at helping better understand research claims stated in a scientific paper. Considering new approaches to the presentation of findings, has an impact on the reproducibility of research. The BOM approach is demonstrated using examples from clinical research and translational medicine. Specifically, we map research findings into a list that delineates a demarcation line between alternative representations of the research claims, some with meaning equivalence and some with surface similarity. Such a mapping can be statistically evaluated by sin type error tests. Our main message is that findings should be presented and generalized with a BOM.