InSPiR2eS Thought of the Week #9: 3 Steps to Your First Academic Paper: Reproduce ??, Replicate ??, Innovate ?!

Taking the leap into academic research can feel overwhelming, especially when producing your first paper. That’s why we’re sharing a 3-step pathway—Reproduce ??, Replicate ??, and Innovate with a Twist ?. This approach not only builds your confidence but also aligns with principles of Responsible Science (Faff, 2021, SSRN) and Faff’s (2015, 2024) Pitching Research Framework (PRF), offering a structured, meaningful way to kickstart your research career.

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??? Step 1: Reproduce ?? (Learn the Craft!)

Objective: Start by reproducing the findings of a published study. This helps you understand its methodology while validating its results.

• How to Start: Choose a high quality, well-documented paper, in your field, ideally with accessible datasets and/or code. Look for studies with open data or code repositories. Also, selecting something published very recently is important to set a solid base for steps 2 and 3 below.
• Execution: Follow the original methodology step by step (though you might decide to limit yourself to the main analysis). Check your results against the published findings. Document any deviations or challenges—were methods ambiguous, or data unavailable?
• Practical Tips: Use workflow tools like Jupyter Notebooks or R Markdown to document your steps. Don't hesitate to seek guidance from mentors or peers if the methodology is complex. Even if you are very confident, gaining expert advice is invaluable.
• Outcome: A clear report detailing whether you successfully reproduced the results and the transparency of the original study.
• ?? Responsible Science Alignment: By engaging in reproducibility, you contribute to greater trust and rigor in academic research.

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?? Step 2: Replicate ?? (Expand the Conversation!)

Objective: Replicate the study’s methodology in a new context, such as a different ?? dataset context, sample, or timeframe.

• How to Start: Choose a variation that is manageable but meaningful, such as: Testing a different time period, country or region. Applying the framework to a related but distinct field of inquiry.
• Execution: Stick to the original methodology as closely as possible (presumably one of the main reasons that you chose the original paper is because it uses “gold standard” tools!). Focus on producing comparable analysis while noting any differences in findings in the new context.
• Practical Tips: Use Faff’s PRF to structure your replication as a research project. Define your replication What: How will this add value? Clarify your replication Why: Why is this variation important to the field? Outline your replication How: How will you execute this work methodologically? Position your work as both a ?? learning exercise and a test of the study’s generalizability.
• Outcome: A standalone replication study that contributes valuable insights to the field. For relevant finance topics, you might even formalise your efforts to target the replication studies initiative at the Pacific-Basin Finance Journal (see Faff, 2023).

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?? Step 3: Innovate with a Twist ? (Add Your Signature!)

Objective: Take the original framework further by introducing a creative, novel element—a "twist".

• How to Start: Use the PRF to guide this step, generally:

What (Core Idea): What novel aspect will you bring? Examples include testing an intriguing new variable, using updated data, or combining the framework with another field. In the case of a new variable, it might enter as a direct linear effect and/or it might enter as a conditioning variable that introduces an interaction element that suggests a non-linear effect. Remember theory is important ... indeed, often sound theory is “king”!

Why (Motivation): Why is this twist valuable to your research question? Connect your ideas to gaps in the literature or emerging trends.

How (Execution): How will you integrate this twist while maintaining rigor and feasibility?

• Execution: Select a twist that’s feasible yet meaningful. Examples:

?? Theoretical Twist: Add a new hypothesis or explore different theoretical underpinnings. This is often the best direction to take ...

Methodological Twist: Test the same relationships using a more robust statistical approach or AI-based modelling. This direction can also “work”, but be aware ... often referees, editors and journals are more difficult o convince that a methodological twist leads to work that lies above the implicit contribution threshold!

Contextual Twist: Apply the research to interdisciplinary or underexplored areas. This direction is very challenging, especially for novice researchers!

Remember: Collaborate with mentors (either formally or informally) to refine your twist and test its viability!

• Practical Tips:

Aim for ?? originality without over-complicating your project.

?? Highlight the contribution your twist makes, clearly separating it from the original study.

Keep the "other considerations" of PRF in mind: Are there natural hedges in your design? Does your twist offer meaningful insights even if results are null?

• Outcome: A polished research paper showcasing your unique contribution to the academic conversation.

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Why This Pathway Works for Novice Researchers

This stepwise approach isn’t just practical; it’s empowering. It integrates Responsible Science ?? and the PRF, emphasizing reproducibility, critical thinking, and creativity.

1. Step 1 (Reproduce ??): You master the craft by learning from the best.
2. Step 2 (Replicate ??): You broaden your understanding and contribute to ongoing scholarly discussions.
3. Step 3 (Innovate ?): You demonstrate originality while anchoring your work in established research.

Each step reflects the core principles of Responsible Science—ethics, transparency, and value. Moreover, this approach minimizes risk: even null results in replication or innovation generate valuable insights, aligning with the concept of research as a natural hedge.

Ready to Get Started?

By reproducing ??, you learn. By replicating ??, you contribute. And by innovating with a twist ?, you stand out. These steps will transform a daunting first project into a structured journey of growth and impact.

What’s your “twist” idea for your first paper? Share your thoughts below and let’s inspire a wave of responsible, impactful research together! ??

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Acknowledgement: This post was substantially assisted by the help of ChatGPT!

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