The Challenges of Replicating Research on Endangered Species
We are currently witnessing a mass extinction event. In this context, behavior and cognition research can play a vital role in our efforts to conserve biodiversity. However, research on threatened species also poses additional challenges for maintaining rigorous reproducibility standards. We identif...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Animal Behavior and Cognition
2021-05-01
|
| Series: | Animal Behavior and Cognition |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://animalbehaviorandcognition.org/article.php?id=1265 |
| _version_ | 1818734924730990592 |
|---|---|
| author | Rachael C. Shaw Alison L. Greggor Joshua M. Plotnik |
| author_facet | Rachael C. Shaw Alison L. Greggor Joshua M. Plotnik |
| author_sort | Rachael C. Shaw |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We are currently witnessing a mass extinction event. In this context, behavior and cognition research can play a vital role in our efforts to conserve biodiversity. However, research on threatened species also poses additional challenges for maintaining rigorous reproducibility standards. We identify four main barriers to carrying out replication studies: resource availability, publication bias, regulatory constraints, and social factors. We argue that all four barriers are exacerbated when the focus is on threatened species, and that they are likely to persist in the future. Considering this, we suggest that researchers develop a systematic approach to identify and prioritize studies where replication is possible and likely to significantly improve both our knowledge of a species and its conservation. Where replication is not an option, we provide several recommendations aimed at ensuring the integrity of research on threatened species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T00:13:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-efaff7c9c6564f11aba13648ad3ef683 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2372-5052 2372-4323 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T00:13:06Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | Animal Behavior and Cognition |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animal Behavior and Cognition |
| spelling | doaj.art-efaff7c9c6564f11aba13648ad3ef6832022-12-21T21:27:37ZengAnimal Behavior and CognitionAnimal Behavior and Cognition2372-50522372-43232021-05-0182240246doi.org/10.26451/abc.08.02.10.2021The Challenges of Replicating Research on Endangered SpeciesRachael C. ShawAlison L. GreggorJoshua M. PlotnikWe are currently witnessing a mass extinction event. In this context, behavior and cognition research can play a vital role in our efforts to conserve biodiversity. However, research on threatened species also poses additional challenges for maintaining rigorous reproducibility standards. We identify four main barriers to carrying out replication studies: resource availability, publication bias, regulatory constraints, and social factors. We argue that all four barriers are exacerbated when the focus is on threatened species, and that they are likely to persist in the future. Considering this, we suggest that researchers develop a systematic approach to identify and prioritize studies where replication is possible and likely to significantly improve both our knowledge of a species and its conservation. Where replication is not an option, we provide several recommendations aimed at ensuring the integrity of research on threatened species.http://animalbehaviorandcognition.org/article.php?id=1265replicationconservationendangered speciesreproducibilitybiodiversity crisis |
| spellingShingle | Rachael C. Shaw Alison L. Greggor Joshua M. Plotnik The Challenges of Replicating Research on Endangered Species Animal Behavior and Cognition replication conservation endangered species reproducibility biodiversity crisis |
| title | The Challenges of Replicating Research on Endangered Species |
| title_full | The Challenges of Replicating Research on Endangered Species |
| title_fullStr | The Challenges of Replicating Research on Endangered Species |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Challenges of Replicating Research on Endangered Species |
| title_short | The Challenges of Replicating Research on Endangered Species |
| title_sort | challenges of replicating research on endangered species |
| topic | replication conservation endangered species reproducibility biodiversity crisis |
| url | http://animalbehaviorandcognition.org/article.php?id=1265 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rachaelcshaw thechallengesofreplicatingresearchonendangeredspecies AT alisonlgreggor thechallengesofreplicatingresearchonendangeredspecies AT joshuamplotnik thechallengesofreplicatingresearchonendangeredspecies AT rachaelcshaw challengesofreplicatingresearchonendangeredspecies AT alisonlgreggor challengesofreplicatingresearchonendangeredspecies AT joshuamplotnik challengesofreplicatingresearchonendangeredspecies |