Conducting a replication study is a valuable way to validate research findings and contribute to the scientific community. Here is a step-by-step guide for contacting the original authors for materials and clarifications:
Step 1: Prepare Your Contact Information
- Identify Authors: Make a list of the authors of the original study, including their affiliations and contact information (usually available in the original paper).
- Best Contact Method: Determine the most appropriate way to contact them, typically via email. Check the paper for any specified contact methods.
Step 2: Draft Your Email
- Subject Line: Use a clear and concise subject line. For example: "Inquiry Regarding [Study Title] for Replication Study".
- Introduction:
- Introduce yourself (name, affiliation, and purpose of your email).
- Mention that you are conducting a replication study of their work.
- Acknowledgment:
- Thank them for their contribution to the field and mention what you found interesting or valuable about their study.
- Specific Questions:
- Clearly outline what you are requesting. For example:
- Materials: Ask if they could provide access to any datasets, code, or materials used in their study.
- Clarifications: If there are any specific methods, procedures, or analyses that are unclear, mention these and request clarification.
- Offer Collaboration:
- If appropriate, express willingness to acknowledge their contributions in your study or discuss possible collaboration.
- Closing:
- Thank them in advance for their time and assistance.
- Provide your contact information and indicate your openness to any further discussion.
Step 3: Review and Send
- Proofread: Check for any grammatical or typographical errors.
- Be Polite: Maintain a professional and respectful tone throughout.
Example Email
Here’s a simple template you can adapt:
Subject: Inquiry Regarding [Study Title] for Replication Study
Dear [Author's Name(s)],
My name is [Your Name], and I am a [Your Position] at [Your Institution]. I am currently conducting a replication study of your paper titled “[Study Title]” published in [Journal Name, Year]. I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for your valuable contributions in this area.
To ensure the accuracy and integrity of my replication, I would greatly appreciate any assistance you could provide regarding the following:
- Materials: Is there any chance you could share the datasets or code used in your original study? Access to these resources would be invaluable for my replication efforts.
- Clarifications: I have a few questions about [specific methods, analyses, etc. that are unclear]. Could you please clarify these for me?
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I would be happy to acknowledge your contributions in my study and would welcome any further discussion on this topic.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Institution]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number (if applicable)]
Step 4: Follow Up
- If you do not receive a reply within a week or two, it is acceptable to send a polite follow-up email.
Step 5: Document Communications
- Keep a record of all communications with the authors for transparency in your replication study.
By following these steps, you'll increase your chances of obtaining the needed materials and clarifications for your replication study. Good luck!