A trading scheme to reduce false results

摘要

Cap-and-trade systems have proved useful in cutting pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and lead additives in petrol (see L. H. Goulder J. Econ. Perspect. 27， 87-102; 2013). We suggest that they could also be applied to reduce pollution of the scientific literature with irreproducible results Companies do not have to deal with the social costs of pollution, so there is little incentive for them to reduce it. Likewise, researchers do not have to face the cost of publishing their own unverifiable results (most of which could have been prevented). That cost is borne by the scientific community and the public - for instance, in subsequent research inspired by false positives, which can lead to badly designed policies.