Report on reproducibility in condensed matter physics

TL;DR

This paper offers recommendations to enhance reproducibility and replicability in condensed matter physics through collaborative efforts and best practices across all research stages.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive set of guidelines developed by a diverse group to improve research reliability in condensed matter physics.

Findings

Identifies challenges in reproducibility in condensed matter physics

Proposes best practices for research transparency and data sharing

Lays groundwork for subfield-specific reproducibility policies

Abstract

We present recommendations to improve reproducibility and replicability in condensed matter physics. This area of physics has consistently produced both fundamental insights into the workings of matter and transformative inventions. Our recommendations result from a collaboration that includes researchers from academia and government laboratories, scientific journalists, legal professionals, representatives of publishers, professional societies, and other experts. The group met in person in May 2024 at a conference at the University of Pittsburgh to discuss the growing challenges related to research reproducibility and replicability in condensed matter physics. In this report, we discuss best practices and policies at all stages of the scientific process to safeguard the value of condensed matter. We hope this report will lay the groundwork for a broader conversation to develop subfield-specific recommendations.