The Conversation

Ask a scientist how science works and they’ll probably describe it to you as an iterative, self-correcting process. Researchers publish a study, and then, ideally, future work either affirms the results of that study or corrects them. That way, scientists in a field continue to work off of and refine the best available information.

The best way to determine whether the results of a particular study are valid is to replicate the original study, changing the methods as necessary to make sure the replication study uses the best process to answer the research question at hand.

Only a small proportion of published studies are replicated, though, and often attempts to replicate a study do not affirm the original’s results, leading to what’s called the “replication crisis” in a number of fields.

Amanda Montoya, a UCLA psychologist and an expert on the science that goes into doing science, describes the replication process in detail and explains why researchers can face challenges while planning and conducting their replication study, as well as when trying to get it published. “Active discussion of the replicability crisis, in both scientific and political spaces, suggests to many researchers that there is room for growth,” she writes.

Also in this week’s science news:

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Mary Magnuson

Associate Science Editor
Some research teams work on replicating prior studies to assess the value of a body of work. AzmanL/E+ via Getty Images

Research replication can determine how well science is working – but how do scientists replicate studies?

Amanda Kay Montoya, University of California, Los Angeles

Replication research can take the temperature on how accurate science in a given field is, but research replication is easier said than done.
Rain falls over a makeshift memorial for flood victims along the Guadalupe River on July 13, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. AP Photo/Eric Gay

When grief involves trauma − a social worker explains how to support survivors of the recent floods and other devastating losses

Liza Barros-Lane, University of Houston-Downtown

Contrary to popular belief, grief doesn’t unfold in 5 neat stages. Yet, when loss is traumatic, it can take a heavy emotional and physical toll, leaving mourners and their supporters overwhelmed and unsure how to help.
Most tires are made of synthetic rubber that sheds particles of microplastics over time. Rapeepong Puttakumwong/Moment via Getty Images

One of the biggest microplastic pollution sources isn’t straws or grocery bags – it’s your tires

Boluwatife S. Olubusoye, University of Mississippi; James V Cizdziel, University of Mississippi

Rain storms wash those tire shards into streams and ultimately into lakes and oceans. That’s bad news for fish and other aquatic life.

How germy is the public pool? An infectious disease expert weighs in on poop, pee and perspiration – and the deceptive smell of chlorine

Lisa Cuchara, Quinnipiac University

Most pool-related illnesses won’t kill you, but no one wants to spend their vacation or a week of beautiful summer days in the bathroom.

Microbes in deep-sea volcanoes can help scientists learn about early life on Earth, or even life beyond our planet

James F. Holden, UMass Amherst

Microbes hidden deep in ocean volcanoes could resemble life on other planets or moons.

The golden oyster mushroom craze unleashed an invasive species – and a worrying new study shows it’s harming native fungi

Aishwarya Veerabahu, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kits that help people grow their own golden oyster mushrooms at home may be one reason this nonnative species is now spreading in the wild.

2 ways cities can beat the heat: Which is best, urban trees or cool roofs?

Ian Smith, Boston University; Lucy Hutyra, Boston University

Cities are seeking low-cost ways to ease the heat island effect. Researchers found benefits and trade-offs in two popular options, but they vary by city and even neighborhood.