The American Physiological Society (APS), representing approximately 11,000 members engaged in basic physiological research, has recognized the growing concerns regarding the reproducibility and rigor of scientific research, particularly in the life sciences. In response to reports highlighting the lack of reproducibility between 2012 and 2014—an issue that has garnered the attention of policymakers, the scientific community, and the public—APS has implemented a multifaceted approach to address these challenges. This includes active participation in policy development, such as contributing to recommendations outlined in legislative initiatives like the 21st Century Cures Act, which called for enhancing research reproducibility and rigor in NIH-funded research.
APS has undertaken efforts to educate and support its members through policy symposia, training modules (e.g., on controls in animal studies), and the creation of resources such as reproducibility toolkits and new publication guidelines. Collaborations with organizations like FASEB have produced detailed reports and roundtable discussions focused on best practices in areas such as data reporting, experimental design, and transparency, emphasizing the need for clearly defined terminology and thorough methodological reporting. Initiatives like improvements to data visualization, the adoption of innovative communication tools such as "rigor emojis," and ongoing professional development aim to foster a culture of research integrity. Moving forward, APS plans to expand these efforts with further training, continued symposia, and partnerships to advance research quality and reproducibility across the life sciences.
