A failure to reproduce: How bad biomedical science is holding us back

Abstract

Irreproducibility is a common problem in the biomedical sciences. Numerous studies have revealed the systemic and chronic nature of the problem, yet not enough is being down to combat it. The financial cost is estimated to be 28 billion dollars in the United States alone. Combine this financial cost with the time spent on irreproducible studies and the net effect is staggering. The factors for this lack of reproducibility are however identifiable and concrete steps can be taken to improve the situation. This article describes some of the factors leading to irreproducibility in the biomedical sciences and how stakeholders at every level of the field can act to reverse them.