Reproducibility and replicability: opportunities and challenges for geospatial research

Abstract

A cornerstone of the scientific method, the ability to reproduce and replicate the results of research has gained widespread attention across the sciences in recent years. A corresponding burst of energy into how to make research more reproducible and replicable has led to numerous innovations. This article outlines some of the opportunities for geospatial researchers to contribute to and learn from the broader reproducibility literature. We review practices developed in related disciplines to improve the reproducibility and replicability of research and outline current efforts to adapt those practices to geospatial analyses. The article then highlights the open questions, opportunities, and potential new directions in geospatial research related to R&R. We stress that the path ahead will likely require a mixture of computational, geospatial, and behavioral research that collectively addresses the many sides of reproducibility and replicability issues.