Credible economic research demands discipline and defensible modeling assumptions—both theoretical and empirical—but incentives to strategically shape findings (e.g., p-hack) can be strong. We examine recent waves of empiricism in economics and the ethical concerns and responses they prompted. Statistical abuses that opportunistically search for significance are often inseparable from conceptual abuses of opportunistic model identification (i.e., p-hacking writ large). We compare neoclassical with positivist hacking proclivities and explore associated implications for empirical analysis and peer review. Drawing on our experiences, 25 years apart, as AJAE editors we reflect on efforts to evaluate research quality and enhance research transparency.

中文翻译：

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应用经济学中分析、出版和透明度的不断发展的伦理

可靠的经济研究需要纪律和可辩护的建模假设——理论和经验——但战略性地塑造研究结果的动机（例如，p - hack）可能很强大。我们研究了最近经济学中的经验主义浪潮以及它们引发的伦理问题和反应。机会主义地寻找意义的统计滥用通常与机会主义模型识别的概念性滥用密不可分（即，p-hacking writ large）。我们将新古典主义与实证主义的黑客倾向进行比较，并探讨对经验分析和同行评审的相关影响。借鉴我们相隔 25 年的经验，作为AJAE编辑我们反思评估研究质量和提高研究透明度的努力。