When evaluating the reliability of scientific findings and predictions, a major concern is about their replicability, that is their consistency across different studies aimed at answering the same question. A ‘replicability crisis’ has been claimed in the last decades, denouncing that a large part of published research findings, especially in applied sciences, such as psychology or medicine failed to be confirmed by subsequent studies. Difficulties in moving from empirical evidence and data analysis to a scientific result push towards the need to clarify various aspects, such as rigorous definitions, the possible tools for understanding and communicating the uncertainty inherent in most scientific conclusions, the definition of non-questionable research practices.
The main objective of the Summer School is to offer to a well-motivated group of young people starting their scientific research journey an opportunity for high-level interdisciplinary training on the above crucial issues. The aim is to provide a broad and interdisciplinary view, as well as the tools that may enable individual participants to focus on specific aspects of replicability that are relevant to their own discipline of interest. The epistemological, philosophical and scientific/statistical bases of replicability and of its so-called crisis will be addressed in lectures by leading invited speakers. There will be also talks on aspects of replicability in the various sciences. Guided group activities will then be proposed to the students, to discuss basic questions and apply the ideas emerged during the school to some real data analysis. The interaction among students from different disciplines, even with very different cultural and scientific backgrounds, will be a valuable cross-fertilisation of their training.