WANI Dictionary

HARKing

The term “HARKing” is an abbreviation of ”Hypothesizing after results are known”, first proposed by Kerr in 1998 [1].

Semantically, this definition includes the post-hoc scientific interpretation of results, but HARKing typically refers to scientific misconduct, where post-hoc hypotheses are presented in a research report as if they were a priori hypotheses.

Related concepts include Sharking (Secretly HARKing in the Introduction section; not encouraged) and Tharking (Transparently HARKing in the Discussion section; encouraged) [2].

Definitions in the literature

• ... But when I refer to HARKing, I mean something more speific - presenting post hoc hypotheses in a research report as if they were, in fact, a priori hypotheses [1].