“Non-Markovian” and “Directional” Errors Inhibit Scientific Self-Correction and Can Lead Fields of Study Astray: An Illustration Using Gardening and Obesity-Related Outcomes

Authors

Jon Agley
Sarah E Deemer
David B Allison

Language

English

Publication Date

5-24-2025

Journal

BMC Medical Research Methodology

DOI

10.1186/s12874-025-02590-6

PMID

40413393

PMCID

PMC12102974

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

5-24-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Herein we coin the terms non-Markovian error and biased Markovian error to describe categories of scientific errors for which general progress within a field of study may be unlikely to result in scientific self-correction. We provide examples of such errors and show their impact on studies about gardening and obesity.

Keywords

Humans, Obesity, Gardening, Research Design, Bias, Scientific self-correction, Scientific errors, Non-Markovian errors, Rigor, Reproducibility, Transparency, Scientific self-correction, Scientific errors, Non-Markovian errors, Rigor, Reproducibility, Transparency

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Jon Agley, Sarah E Deemer, and David B Allison, "“Non-Markovian” and “Directional” Errors Inhibit Scientific Self-Correction and Can Lead Fields of Study Astray: An Illustration Using Gardening and Obesity-Related Outcomes" (2025). Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications. 191.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/staff_pub/191