What is the main purpose of pre-registration in research?

The main purpose of pre-registration in research is to reduce publication bias and improve transparency. Pre-registration involves researchers publicly stating their research questions, hypotheses, and analysis plans before they begin collecting data. This process aims to ensure that the outcomes of a study are not influenced by the researchers' discretionary choices, which can lead to biased results. By committing to a specific methodology and analysis plan in advance, researchers can demonstrate the integrity and reliability of their findings.

Furthermore, pre-registration fosters transparency in the research process. It allows other researchers, reviewers, and the public to see what the researchers initially intended to study, making it easier to evaluate the validity of the results. This practice is especially important in fields where the replication of studies is essential for building a sound scientific knowledge base. By reducing the potential for cherry-picking data or post hoc analyses, pre-registration contributes to more trustworthy and credible research outcomes.