1. Improving replicability in addiction research
Robert West
University College London

2. The problem
Replicability is the extent to which reported study findings are repeated when what is believed to be essentially the same study is repeated
It is hampered by
Poorly defined constructs (e.g., craving, stress, recovery)
Poorly specified models (e.g., unclear causal pathways)
Weak measurement (e.g., use of self-report scales with low validity)
Inconsistent/incomplete reporting (e.g., regarding intervention content)
Inappropriate analyses (e.g., cherry picking comparisons)
Bias in reporting and dissemination (e.g., file drawer problem)

3. Clarifying constructs
Develop an addiction ontology setting out key terms, definitions and relationships using an established model
Small section of putative addiction ontology

4. Specifying models
Develop a common model building system that clearly sets out what constructs are included, how they are defined and how they relate to each other
Transtheoretical Model expressed in standard form

5. Improving measurement
Develop and use a database of measures with indices of reliability and validity
Construct label
Measure name
Validity index
Sources
Cigarette craving
QSU 7
Tiffany 1990
SUTS
West 2010
State anxiety
STAI 8
Spielberg 1980

6. Improving reporting
Develop and use an online study reporting tool for study reporting to ensure that key information is presented in a consistent way
Meta-data
Research questions
Study ID: ADD-17203
Design
Participants
Select which type of study feature you want to enter, then you will taken through a step-by-step process to enter the information
Setting
Groups
Measures
Analyses
Findings
Interpretation

7. Improving analysis
Promote the use of the Open Science Framework and other resources to pre-specify analysis plans and record analysis history

8. Reducing reporting bias
Extend trial registration to all major study types and establish an efficient system for linking study reports to registered protocols, automatically recording protocol deviations
Extend competing interest reporting to non-commercial types and automate the process of coding these to allow their assessment in meta-regressions

9. Next steps
Addiction ontology Model building system Measures database Study reporting tool Open Science Framework Study registration Competing interest reporting