The JASP guidelines for conducting and reporting a Bayesian analysis

Despite the increasing popularity of Bayesian inference in empirical research, few practical guidelines provide detailed recommendations for how to apply Bayesian procedures and interpret the results. Here we offer specific guidelines for four different stages of Bayesian statistical reasoning in a research setting:planningthe analysis,executingthe analysis,interpretingthe results, andreportingthe results. The guidelines for each stage are illustrated with a running example. Although the guidelines are geared towards analyses performed with the open-source statistical software JASP, most guidelines extend to Bayesian inference in general.

Automated summary

Although there is a lack of practical guidelines on how to apply Bayesian procedures and interpret results in empirical research, this study offers specific guidance for four stages of Bayesian statistical reasoning in a research setting: planning the analysis, executing the analysis, interpreting the results, and reporting the results. Each stage's guidelines are illustrated with a running example, primarily focusing on analyses performed with the open-source statistical software JASP, but with applicability to Bayesian inference in general.