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Replication code availability over time and across fields: Evidence from the German Socio‐Economic Panel

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  • Lukas Fink
  • Jan Marcus

Abstract

Providing replication code is an inexpensive way to facilitate reproducibility. However, little is known about the extent of replication code provision. Therefore, we examine the availability of replication code for over 2500 peer‐reviewed articles based on the German Socio‐Economic Panel (SOEP), one of the most widely used datasets in economics and other social sciences. We find that only 6% of SOEP‐based studies have code available, but that this proportion has increased sharply over time. We provide evidence that the increase in code provision is driven by technological advances, individual researcher initiatives, and journal policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Lukas Fink & Jan Marcus, 2025. "Replication code availability over time and across fields: Evidence from the German Socio‐Economic Panel," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 63(2), pages 357-386, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:63:y:2025:i:2:p:357-386
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.13267
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    Cited by:

    1. Bensch, Gunther & Rose, Julian & Brodeur, Abel & Ankel-Peters, Jörg, 2025. "The Robustness Dashboard," I4R Discussion Paper Series 234, The Institute for Replication (I4R).
      • Bensch, Gunther & Rose, Julian & Brodeur, Abel & Ankel-Peters, Jörg, 2025. "The robustness dashboard," Ruhr Economic Papers 1167, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    2. Marcus, Jan, 2025. "Replication code as a cornerstone of the credibility revolution 2.0," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 117(C).

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