Evaluate what is claimed to be confirmed: Initial version of a Falsification Assessment Form (FAF)

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Scientific claims, and the way they are tested must be unambiguous and flexibility must be disclosed. Grounded in Popper’s principle of falsification, we suggest the Falsification Assessment Form. The form aims to identify ambiguity and undisclosed flexibility in the entire research process with 11 items covering hypothesis formulation, data processing, analysis, and alternative explanations. It also collects information on transparency measures, such as pre-registration. The form was developed through consensus among the authors and refined via a collaborative feedback assessment of 19 experts. It is intended for original, quantitative research, it highlights potential issues, requiring authors to provide detailed responses. The form can be used to identify concerns in published research, improve the quality of papers during peer review, or guide rigorous study planning from the outset.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages23
JournalMethodology
Volume21
Issue number3
Publication statusPublished - 30 Sept 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-7646-8265/work/193176722
unpaywall 10.5964/meth.17705
Mendeley 2ba8da0e-8379-39d4-a4b9-b84ba947347f
Scopus 105018703232

Keywords

Keywords

  • research quality, peer review, research assessment, research transparency, falsification