http://www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Introduction to Physical Science
1.24 Replication in Science
- Define replication.
- Explain the importance of replication in science.
Did a math teacher ever tell you to check your work? If you’re adding numbers, that means repeating the calculation
to see if you get the same answer the second time. If you get the same result twice, then the answer is probably
correct. But if you get a different answer the second time, at least one of the results must be incorrect. Then you
have to add the numbers a third time and hope that the third answer will agree with one of the other two.
Replication
Scientists also have to “check their work.” The results of an investigation are not likely to be well accepted unless
the investigation is repeated—usually many times—and the same result is always obtained. Getting the same result
when an experiment is repeated is calledreplication. If research results can be replicated, it means they are more
likely to be correct. Repeated replication of investigations may turn a hypothesis into a theory. On the other hand, if
results cannot be replicated they are likely to be incorrect.
Why Replication Is Important in Science: An Example
The following example shows why replication is important in science. In 1998, a British researcher published an
article in a medical journal reporting that he had found a link between a common childhood vaccine and autism
(seeFigure1.26). According to the article, children in his study developed autism soon after receiving the vaccine.
Following publication of the article, many parents refused to have their children vaccinated. Several epidemics
occurred as a result, and some children died of the diseases.