What characterizes conceptual replication?

Conceptual replication is characterized by studying the same behavior, but doing so in a different way. This approach seeks to confirm the findings of an original study by testing the same hypothesis with different methods, participants, or experimental conditions. By utilizing different strategies or measures, researchers can assess the robustness of the findings and determine whether the original effect holds true across various contexts.

This form of replication is crucial in psychology as it helps establish the generalizability of results, indicating that an effect is not simply tied to the specific conditions of the original study. For example, if a researcher finds that a certain intervention reduces anxiety levels, a conceptual replication might involve using a different population or measurement tools to verify whether the same effect is observed.

In contrast, repeating exactly the same experiment would be a direct replication, which aims to reproduce the original study's methodology and results without changes. Collecting only qualitative data does not specifically relate to the method of replication and could involve varying research aspects unrelated to conceptual replication. Focusing on a completely unrelated behavior would diverge from the aim of testing the same hypothesis, which is fundamental in conceptual replication.