An inquiry into Analytical Flexibility and the Crisis of Research Integrity.
In an era of evidence-based policy, the reliability of research is paramount. This report explores the "reproducibility crisis" through the lens of analytical flexibility—the hidden choices researchers make that can inadvertently skew results.
Analytical flexibility refers to the many ways data can be cleaned, processed, and modeled. Without pre-registration and radical transparency, these choices can lead to "p-hacking" or selective reporting, undermining the institutional trust necessary for public-sector innovation.
Pathway Systems outlines a framework for "Robust Evidence Generation." By implementing stricter transparency protocols and acknowledging the impact of analytical choices, institutions can ensure their strategies are built on a foundation of integrity rather than statistical noise.
Restoring Trust: Analytical Flexibility (PDF).