What is the process of repeating a research study with different participants to assess the reliability of the findings?

The process of repeating a research study with different participants to assess the reliability of the findings is known as replication. Replication is crucial in scientific research because it helps to determine if the original results can be consistently reproduced under similar conditions. When researchers replicate a study and achieve similar results, it increases confidence in the reliability and validity of the original findings.

This practice helps to address the possibility that results might have been due to unique circumstances or specific sample characteristics in the initial study. Through replication, researchers contribute to the accumulation of evidence, supporting or challenging the conclusions drawn from previous work.

In contrast, peer review is the process through which research is evaluated by other experts in the field prior to publication, while meta-analysis involves combining data from multiple studies to draw broader conclusions. A longitudinal study examines the same participants over an extended period, rather than repeating the study with new participants.