REFORMS: Reporting Standards for Machine Learning Based Science
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Abstract (arXiv)
Machine learning (ML) methods are proliferating in scientific research. However, the adoption of these methods has been accompanied by failures of validity, reproducibility, and generalizability. These failures can hinder scientific progress, lead to false consensus around invalid claims, and undermine the credibility of ML-based science. ML methods are often applied and fail in similar ways across disciplines. Motivated by this observation, our goal is to provide clear reporting standards for ML-based science. Drawing from an extensive review of past literature, we present the REFORMS checklist (Reporting Standards For Machine Learning Based Science). It consists of 32 questions and a paired set of guidelines. REFORMS was developed based on a consensus of 19 researchers across computer science, data science, mathematics, social sciences, and biomedical sciences. REFORMS can serve as a resource for researchers when designing and implementing a study, for referees when reviewing papers, and for journals when enforcing standards for transparency and reproducibility.
Key facts. Cited by 13 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026). Builds on 38 of its 190 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 15 Aug 2023.
Builds on
38 of 190 references.
References · 38
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- 2018Datasheets for Datasetscited by 1,386
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Citing papers per year: 2023: 4; 2024: 6; 2025: 3.
13 papers.
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- 2024Weak baselines and reporting biases lead to overoptimism in machine learning for fluid-related partial differential equationscited by 91
- 2023The Data Provenance Initiative: A Large Scale Audit of Dataset Licensing & Attribution in AIcited by 73
- 2024Consent in Crisis: The Rapid Decline of the AI Data Commonscited by 46
- 2023Machine-assisted quantitizing designs: augmenting humanities and social sciences with artificial intelligencecited by 15
- 2023Pre-registration for Predictive Modelingcited by 13
- 2024The Responsible Foundation Model Development Cheatsheet: A Review of Tools & Resourcescited by 11
- 2024Unraveling overoptimism and publication bias in ML-driven sciencecited by 3
- 2024Multi-Sensor Deep Learning for Glacier Mappingcited by 2
- 2023Constructing Impactful Machine Learning Research for Astronomy: Best Practices for Researchers and Reviewerscited by 1
- 2024From Model Performance to Claim: How a Change of Focus in Machine Learning Replicability Can Help Bridge the Responsibility Gapcited by 1
- 2025Review and Recommendations for using Artificial Intelligence in Intracoronary Optical Coherence Tomography Analysiscited by 0
- 2025Temporal Image Forensics: A Review and Critical Evaluationcited by 0
- 2025Best Practices For Empirical Meta-Algorithmic Research: Guidelines from the COSEAL Research Network18 Dec 2025
- 2025Temporal Image Forensics: A Review and Critical Evaluation9 Sep 2025
- 2025Review and Recommendations for using Artificial Intelligence in Intracoronary Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis24 Jan 2025
- 2024Multi-Sensor Deep Learning for Glacier Mapping18 Sep 2024
- 2024Consent in Crisis: The Rapid Decline of the AI Data Commons20 Jul 2024
- 2024Weak baselines and reporting biases lead to overoptimism in machine learning for fluid-related partial differential equations9 Jul 2024
- 2024The Responsible Foundation Model Development Cheatsheet: A Review of Tools & Resources24 Jun 2024
- 2024Unraveling overoptimism and publication bias in ML-driven science23 May 2024
- 2024From Model Performance to Claim: How a Change of Focus in Machine Learning Replicability Can Help Bridge the Responsibility Gap19 Apr 2024
- 2023Pre-registration for Predictive Modeling30 Nov 2023
- 2023The Data Provenance Initiative: A Large Scale Audit of Dataset Licensing & Attribution in AI25 Oct 2023
- 2023Constructing Impactful Machine Learning Research for Astronomy: Best Practices for Researchers and Reviewers19 Oct 2023
- 2024Weak baselines and reporting biases lead to overoptimism in machine learning for fluid-related partial differential equationscited by 91
- 2023The Data Provenance Initiative: A Large Scale Audit of Dataset Licensing & Attribution in AIcited by 73
- 2024Consent in Crisis: The Rapid Decline of the AI Data Commonscited by 46
- 2023Machine-assisted quantitizing designs: augmenting humanities and social sciences with artificial intelligencecited by 15
- 2023Pre-registration for Predictive Modelingcited by 13
- 2024The Responsible Foundation Model Development Cheatsheet: A Review of Tools & Resourcescited by 11
- 2024Unraveling overoptimism and publication bias in ML-driven sciencecited by 3
- 2024Multi-Sensor Deep Learning for Glacier Mappingcited by 2
- 2023Constructing Impactful Machine Learning Research for Astronomy: Best Practices for Researchers and Reviewerscited by 1
- 2024From Model Performance to Claim: How a Change of Focus in Machine Learning Replicability Can Help Bridge the Responsibility Gapcited by 1
- 2025Review and Recommendations for using Artificial Intelligence in Intracoronary Optical Coherence Tomography Analysiscited by 0
- 2025Temporal Image Forensics: A Review and Critical Evaluationcited by 0
12 most cited of 13 All 13 (JSON)
- 2025Best Practices For Empirical Meta-Algorithmic Research: Guidelines from the COSEAL Research Network18 Dec 2025
- 2025Temporal Image Forensics: A Review and Critical Evaluation9 Sep 2025
- 2025Review and Recommendations for using Artificial Intelligence in Intracoronary Optical Coherence Tomography Analysis24 Jan 2025
- 2024Multi-Sensor Deep Learning for Glacier Mapping18 Sep 2024
- 2024Consent in Crisis: The Rapid Decline of the AI Data Commons20 Jul 2024
- 2024Weak baselines and reporting biases lead to overoptimism in machine learning for fluid-related partial differential equations9 Jul 2024
- 2024The Responsible Foundation Model Development Cheatsheet: A Review of Tools & Resources24 Jun 2024
- 2024Unraveling overoptimism and publication bias in ML-driven science23 May 2024
- 2024From Model Performance to Claim: How a Change of Focus in Machine Learning Replicability Can Help Bridge the Responsibility Gap19 Apr 2024
- 2023Pre-registration for Predictive Modeling30 Nov 2023
- 2023The Data Provenance Initiative: A Large Scale Audit of Dataset Licensing & Attribution in AI25 Oct 2023
- 2023Constructing Impactful Machine Learning Research for Astronomy: Best Practices for Researchers and Reviewers19 Oct 2023
12 newest of 13 All 13 (JSON)