How Do Researchers in Psychology Perceive the Field? A Qualitative Exploration of Critiques and Defenses

Abstract

As awareness of the replication crisis in psychology has become increasingly widespread, several meta-scientific investigations have focused on the research practices and attitudes of researchers in psychology. Here, we aimed to add to this body of work by exploring academic psychologists’ perceptions of the state of the field using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. As part of a larger project, psychological researchers (N = 548) used 3-point scales to rate their perceptions of: 1) the rate of false positive findings in psychology and 2) the quality of research practices in psychology. They then wrote about the reasons for their ratings. Using a qualitative approach, we assessed the prevalence of criticisms and defenses of the field, as well as subtypes of each. Overall, these data shed light on the extent, and nature, of concerns about false positives and research practices within the psychological community.