Forensic Science needs Registered Reports

Abstract

The registered report (RR) format is rapidly being adopted by researchers and journals in several scientific fields. RRs flip the peer review process, with reviewers evaluating proposed methods, rather than the data and findings. Editors then accept or reject articles based on the pre-data collection review. Accordingly, RRs reduce the incentive for researchers to exaggerate their findings, and they make any data-driven changes to the methods and analysis more conspicuous. They also reduce publication bias, ensuring studies with null or otherwise unfavorable results are published. RRs are being used in many fields to improve research practices and increase confidence in study findings. The authors suggest RRs ought to be the default way in which validation studies are conducted and reported in forensic science. They produce more reliable findings, advance criminal justice values, and will lead to several efficiencies in the research process.

Keywords: forensic science, registered reports, evidence law, DNA, fingerprints, open science, metascience, preregistreation

JEL Classification: K10, K14