Reproducibility in forecasting research

Boylan, John E., Goodwin, Paul, Mohammadipour, Maryam and Syntetos, Argyrios ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4639-0756 2015. Reproducibility in forecasting research. International Journal of Forecasting 31 (1) , pp. 79-90. 10.1016/j.ijforecast.2014.05.008

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Abstract

The importance of replication has been recognised across many scientific disciplines. Reproducibility is a necessary condition for replicability, because an inability to reproduce results implies that the methods have not been specified sufficiently, thus precluding replication. This paper describes how two independent teams of researchers attempted to reproduce the empirical findings of an important paper, “Shrinkage estimators of time series seasonal factors and their effect on forecasting accuracy” (Miller & Williams, 2003). The two teams proceeded systematically, reporting results both before and after receiving clarifications from the authors of the original study. The teams were able to approximately reproduce each other’s results, but not those of Miller and Williams. These discrepancies led to differences in the conclusions as to the conditions under which seasonal damping outperforms classical decomposition. The paper specifies the forecasting methods employed using a flowchart. It is argued that this approach to method documentation is complementary to the provision of computer code, as it is accessible to a broader audience of forecasting practitioners and researchers. The significance of this research lies not only in its lessons for seasonal forecasting but also, more generally, in its approach to the reproduction of forecasting research.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Forecasting practice; Replication; Seasonal forecasting; Empirical research
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0169-2070
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Date of Acceptance:	2014
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2024 23:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/67161

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