SSP Forum: Heidi Baumgartner on Large-Scale Developmental Science

Monday, November 28, 2022
Margaret Jacks Hall (Bldg. 460), Room 126

Photo of Heidi Baumgartner

The
Symbolic Systems Forum
presents

ManyBabies: A global consortium working on large-scale replications and best practices in developmental science

Heidi Baumgartner
Center for the Study of Language and Information

Monday, November 28, 2022
12:30-1:20 pm
Margaret Jacks Hall (Bldg. 460), Room 126

ABSTRACT:

Infant research faces all the same issues that negatively affect replicability and reproducibility in psychology at large. In addition, it deals with a vulnerable population that is challenging to recruit and not terribly compliant once in the lab. These factors potentially increase noise and pose challenges for obtaining adequate sample sizes. ManyBabies (https://manybabies.github.io), a network of over 500 researchers across 46 countries on 6 continents, attempts to address these challenges while investigating fundamental questions in early cognitive development. ManyBabies a) Conducts conceptual replications of key findings, b) Uses consensus-based approaches to design studies that robustly test theories, c) works to improve the diversity of researchers, research questions, and participants, and d) promotes transparent research practices such as pre-registration and sharing of stimuli, data, and code. I will give an overview of our mission, organizing principles, and completed and ongoing projects.

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