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    Type of resources
    Reading
    Education level(s)
    College / Upper Division (Undergraduates), Graduate / Professional, Career / Technical, Adult Education
    Primary user(s)
    Student, Teacher, Librarian
    Subject area(s)
    Applied Science, Arts and Humanities, Business and Communication, Career and Technical Education, Education, English Language Arts, History, Law, Life Science, Math & Statistics, Physical Science, Social Science
    Language(s)
    English
    Cluster
    Replication Crisis and Credibility Revolution
    Last updated
    9 November 2026
    Reading

    The Costs of HARKing

    By Mark Rubin

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    Level College / Upper Division (Undergraduates), Graduate / Professional, Career / Technical, Adult Education · For Student, Teacher, Librarian · Language English

    Abstract

    Kerr ([1998]) coined the term ‘HARKing’ to refer to the practice of ‘hypothesizing after the results are known’. This questionable research practice has received increased attention in recent years because it is thought to have contributed to low replication rates in science. The present article discusses the concept of HARKing from a philosophical standpoint and then undertakes a critical review of Kerr’s ([1998]) twelve potential costs of HARKing. It is argued that these potential costs are either misconceived, misattributed to HARKing, lacking evidence, or that they do not take into account pre- and post-publication peer review and public availability to research materials and data. It is concluded that it is premature to conclude that HARKing has led to low replication rates.

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