What is the primary goal of replication in research?

The primary goal of replication in research is to confirm findings across different studies. Replication allows researchers to determine whether the results of a study are consistent and reliable when the study is conducted again, either by the same researchers or by different ones in different contexts. This process helps to establish the credibility of research findings, as consistent results across independent studies strengthen the evidence for a particular hypothesis or theory. By replicating studies, researchers can also identify any potential limitations or biases in the original studies and enhance the overall understanding of the phenomenon being studied.

The other options, while relevant to the research process, do not specifically address the core purpose of replication. Collecting qualitative data and defining variables accurately are important tasks in research but are not the main focus when it comes to validating findings through repetition. Conducting an experiment is also a critical aspect of research; however, replication specifically pertains to repeating studies to validate results rather than the initial experimentation process itself.