Abstract

The reproducibility crisis in scientific research poses a significant threat to the credibility and reliability of scientific findings, particularly in life sciences. This thesis, titled "Navigating the Reproducibility Crisis in Scientific Literature: Life Science-Specific Factors, Impacts, and Solutions," explores the multifaceted nature of this crisis through an interdisciplinary lens. We begin with a scientometric analysis of scientific literature on Scopus to trace the historical and contemporary discourse surrounding reproducibility issues and how this is presented across various scientific disciplines. Furthermore, this thesis reviews the current literature on general reproducibility factors, evaluating the role of questionable research practices (QRPs) and publication bias, emphasizing their impact on the scientific literature. Following this, the unique challenges in life sciences, including biological complexity, variability in experimental protocols, and the quality of reagents such as commercial antibodies, are scrutinized to highlight their contributions to irreproducibility. A detailed case study on commercial antibodies exemplifies the specific complications that life science contributes to the crisis of reproducibility. Finally, proposed solutions, including improved mentorship, registered reports, preregistration, and robust science communication strategies, are discussed to mitigate these challenges. We suggest that by fostering collaboration among researchers, stakeholders, and communicators, we aim to enhance the transparency and reliability of scientific processes. Ultimately, this thesis provides insights into the factors influencing scientific literature's irreproducibility, advocating for systemic changes that promote scientific integrity and societal trust in scientific research.