On a related note, using additional methods to probe the reliability of an observed GxE effect can add to our confidence in it. A strength of Schlomer et al.’s article is the authors’ use of bootstrapping methods to evaluate the reliability of the GxE effect. Bootstrapping approaches are particularly useful in cases where parametric assumptions may not be met, which can occur when examining statistical interactions in which the normality of residuals assumption may be violated. Finally, efforts to replicate cGxE effects in independent samples is critical to building a weight of evidence for an effect, although we also recognize that family researchers’ samples are often unique (e.g., multigenerational and long-term longitudinal studies that include high-cost observational assessments) and are therefore less amenable to direct replication. To the extent that conceptual replications are possible, they are encouraged.
