Economist proposes AI audits of pre-analysis plans to curb p-hacking in slow-moving fields

paulnovosad · x · 2026-09-18

Economist Jeffrey Clemens argues that auditing adherence to pre-analysis plans (PAPs) should become a widespread use case for AI tools in research. PAPs can only reduce p-hacking if adherence is actually enforced, but manual audits are too time-intensive for the current peer review system — exactly the gap AI can fill.

He emphasizes author self-audits in particular, especially in disciplines like economics where peer review is painfully slow, and lays out the argument in a 9-post thread.

Related event: Economist Proposes AI Audits to Enforce Pre-Analysis Plans and Curb P-Hacking(2 posts)→

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