The Language of (Non)Replicable Social Science.

Using publicly available data from 299 preregistered replications from the social sciences, we found that the language used to describe a study can predict its replicability above and beyond a large set of controls related to the article characteristics, study design and results, author information, and replication effort. To understand why, we analyzed the textual differences between replicable and nonreplicable studies. Our findings suggest that the language in replicable studies is transparent and confident, written in a detailed and complex manner, and generally exhibits markers of truthful communication, possibly demonstrating the researchers' confidence in the study. Nonreplicable studies, however, are vaguely written and have markers of persuasion techniques, such as the use of positivity and clout. Thus, our findings allude to the possibility that authors of nonreplicable studies are more likely to make an effort, through their writing, to persuade readers of their (possibly weaker) results.

Optic Neuritis After COVID-19 Vaccination: An Analysis of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association of optic neuritis (ON) after the COVID-19 vaccines. METHODS: Cases of ON from Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) were collected and divided into the prepandemic, COVID-19 pandemic, and COVID-19 vaccine periods. Reporting rates were calculated based on estimates of vaccines administered. Proportion tests and Pearson χ 2 test were used to determine significant differences in reporting rates of ON after vaccines within the 3 periods. Kruskal-Wallis testing with Bonferroni-corrected post hoc analysis and multivariable binary logistic regression was used to determine significant case factors such as age, sex, concurrent multiple sclerosis (MS) and vaccine manufacturer in predicting a worse outcome defined as permanent disability, emergency room (ER) or doctor visits, and hospitalizations. RESULTS: A significant increase in the reporting rate of ON after COVID-19 vaccination compared with influenza vaccination and all other vaccinations (18.6 vs 0.2 vs 0.4 per 10 million, P < 0.0001) was observed. However, the reporting rate was within the incidence range of ON in the general population. Using self-controlled and case-centered analyses, there was a significant difference in the reporting rate of ON after COVID-19 vaccination between the risk period and control period ( P < 0.0001). Multivariable binary regression with adjustment for confounding variables demonstrated that only male sex was significantly associated with permanent disability. CONCLUSIONS: Some cases of ON may be temporally associated with the COVID-19 vaccines; however, there is no significant increase in the reporting rate compared with the incidence. Limitations of this study include those inherent to any passive surveillance system. Controlled studies are needed to establish a clear causal relationship.