a failure to replicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a failure to replicate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing scientific research, experiments, or studies where results could not be reproduced. Example: "The study's findings were called into question due to a failure to replicate the results in subsequent experiments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

For years, it was extremely difficult to publish a direct replication, or a failure to replicate an experiment, in a good journal.

The New Yorker

"It's almost impossible to publish a failure to replicate," said Mr. Simons, who is working to start a journal dedicated to replication studies.

The New York Times

As I've said before, a "failure to replicate" does not imply that the original study was incorrect, poorly conducted, or involved fraud.

The Guardian

However, if anyone starts to question a researcher's integrity because of a failure to replicate his or her work, that person should be educated on what the whole point of the process is.

The Guardian

Jim Yong Kim said it was possible to cap the rise in global temperatures at 2C but that so far there had been a failure to replicate the "unbelievable" success of the 15-year-long coalition of activists and scientists to develop a treatment for HIV.

The Guardian

Although there are no studies regarding morphological priming in Brazilian Portuguese-speaking children when learning to read, there are many studies showing that morphological awareness may contribute to the reading process in this language (Mota, Anibal et al. 2008; Mota and Silva 2007; Mota et al. 2012; however, see Justi and Roazzi 2012 for a failure to replicate such findings).

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Power in HUTT is somewhat limited given the strength of distortion estimated in AGRE, and 10% of highly powered SNPs do show marginal TD in this data set, so this is not a clear failure to replicate; additionally, a distorter allele could have been lost through a founder effect in HUTT.

Genetics

In isolation, a single failure to replicate doesn't tell you that much.

The Guardian

When Wiseman conducted his, he found none, a so-called failure to replicate (Bem disputes this).

Vice

Since these characteristics are not usually investigated or analyzed in many of the studies, there is a possibility that the failure to replicate is due to interactions between genes and environmental factors as well as to gene-gene interactions.

BioMed Research International

Possible explanations include population variations and differences in the density of microsatellite marker panels, but limited statistical power is a major factor in failure to replicate GWLS results in complex disorders.

Best Practice and Research in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing scientific findings, clearly state the specific aspects of the original study that could not be replicated and consider potential reasons for the "failure to replicate", such as differences in methodology, sample size, or population characteristics.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "failure to replicate" automatically invalidates the original study. Instead, recognize that it may indicate the need for further investigation or refinement of the original hypothesis or methodology.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a failure to replicate" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an instance where an attempt to reproduce the results of a previous study or experiment has been unsuccessful. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase is commonly used in academic and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a failure to replicate" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe the inability to reproduce the results of a study or experiment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is commonly encountered in scientific and academic contexts, where it serves to report or discuss inconsistencies in research findings. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly state the context and consider potential reasons for the non-replication, avoiding overstatements about the validity of the original research. Some alternatives include "lack of reproducibility" and "inability to reproduce". The phrase appears most frequently in scientific publications and news media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

replication failure

More concise phrasing to point out the failure to replicate the experiment.

lack of reproducibility

Emphasizes the absence of consistent results when attempting to reproduce an experiment.

inability to reproduce

Directly states the inability to achieve the same results in a repeated experiment.

lack of validation

Focuses on the absence of confirmation or support for initial findings.

replication crisis

Highlights a broader issue of widespread inability to reproduce results across a field of study.

non-replication of findings

Formally states that the original results could not be replicated.

inconsistent results

Highlights that the repeated experimentation resulted in divergent or conflicting data.

lack of confirmation

Indicates that the results have not been supported by subsequent studies.

failure to validate

Focuses on lack of proof that original result is correct or true.

lack of verification

Indicates that the results haven't been verified or confirmed.

FAQs

How do I use "a failure to replicate" in a sentence?

You can use "a failure to replicate" to describe instances where research findings cannot be reproduced in subsequent studies. For example, "The initial study's conclusions were weakened by a failure to replicate the results in a larger sample."

What are some alternative phrases to "a failure to replicate"?

You can use alternatives like "lack of reproducibility", "inability to reproduce", or "lack of validation" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when a study experiences "a failure to replicate"?

A "failure to replicate" means that when other researchers try to repeat the original study, they are unable to obtain the same results. This can raise questions about the validity or generalizability of the original findings.

Is "a failure to replicate" always a sign of flawed original research?

Not necessarily. While it can indicate issues with the original study's methodology or data analysis, a "failure to replicate" can also arise from differences in study populations, environmental factors, or even subtle variations in experimental procedures. It often calls for further investigation to understand the reasons for the discrepancy.