Why Risk it, When You Can {rix} it: A Tutorial for Computational Reproducibility Focused on Simulation Studies
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Computational reproducibility remains limited in psychological research, despite widespread norms for sharing data and analysis code. One reason is that reproducibility exists on a continuum, ranging from partial transparency—such as providing scripts or software version numbers—to fully executable research compendia that regenerate all results from raw code. In this article, we introduce Nix and the {rix} R package as a practical framework for achieving full computational reproducibility in simulation-based research. We provide a step-by-step tutorial demonstrating how {rix} can be used to define, build, and share isolated, project-specific software environments that precisely capture R versions, package dependencies, system libraries, and integrated development environments. We further illustrate this workflow by reproducing a complete manuscript using Quarto and the {apaquarto} extension, showing how analyses, figures, and text can be regenerated in a single, executable pipeline. Together, these tools lower the technical barrier to robust, end-to-end reproducibility and offer a scalable solution for simulation studies and methodological research in psychology and related fields.