In this area of research, we currently have two papers published and onother one under review. The first paper explores the test evaluation practices of researchers in a sample of four testing-oriented journals. This research indicates that psychological researchers employ a variety of procedures and rationales when analyzing the psychometric properties of their test data. Researchers appear, in general, to handle the assessment of external test score validity quite well, but the internal test score validity assessment practices remain inconsistently or insufficiently handled.

The second paper examines whether the test evaluation practices and rationales adopted differ substantially between researchers with some expertise or interest in quantitative psychology versus those lacking such expertise and interests.

The paper under review is a replication of the first paper with a more current sample.

In this area of research, we currently have one paper in preparation that explores the inference practices which are adopted by psychological researchers. In particular, we are interested in determining the degree of consistency with which researchers employ particular styles of reporting the results from the statistical inference methods they employ.

We are currently embarking on an historical project consisting of three major components, the first of which will involve an examination of the historical and philosophical roots of construct validation theory by conducting an historiography of a transition period in philosophy of science from strict logical positivism to a more liberated logical empiricism, and ultimately to a more realist approach to scientific inquiry.

The second component of research will be dedicated to an empirical examination of construct validation practices, both over time and across different substantive areas of research.

In collaboration with Dr. Jack Martin, another faculty member in Theory and Methods in psychology at S.F.U., the third component of this research will explore self-efficacy research as a case study of application of a construct validation approach to both measurement and theory-building practices in psychology.

We are currently running two pilot projects exploring various aspects of the history of meta-analysis, the debates surrounding its use in psychology and related sciences, and researchers' understandings and implementations of the technique.

In the upcoming year, we will begin to explore the issue of quantitative modeling in psychological research, both in terms of how it has evolved historically and the philosophical and conceptual frameworks which have been in the past, and are currently, presupposed.

Masha is currently an M.A. student in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University examining police interactions with individuals living with mental illness and Crisis Intervention Training. Prior to entering the M.A. program, Masha completed a B.A. in Psychology, concentrating on critically examining a number of forensic psychology issues (primarily Criminal Profiling) and acquiring conceptual thinking and quantitative research methods training. In the past few years, Masha has enjoyed collaborating on a number of research projects using her acquired skills and also teaching these skills to many undergraduate students. However, she is eager to ultimately apply her growing expertise in a non-academic setting. Masha has a number of areas of interest that frequently intersect in her work. Her primary interest is in criminal investigations of stranger violent (expressive) offences, hence her interest in Behavioral Investigative Advice: crime scene reconstruction, linkage analysis, profiling, investigative interviewing, and expert testimony. She is also involved in the Theory and Methods area (quantitative research methods and critical analysis thereof; philosophy of science: logic of statistical inference and conceptual analysis). Further, Masha is also interested in the relationship between increased criminal victimization and the intersection of mental illness, drug addiction, prostitution, and homelessness.

Nathalie is a Doctoral Student in the Clinical Psychology Program at SFU. Her research interest are at the intersection of theory/methods and clinical issues, particularly the ontology, epistemology and history of psychological concepts, the assumptions that underlie psychological concepts and methods and their implications for psychological practices. Her dissertation, supervised by Dr. Jack Martin and Dr. Kathleen Slaney will provide a theoretical/historical analysis of the concept of evidence as it pertains to the Evidence-Based Practice movement in Clinical Psychology. Her clinical interests and practice are in the treatment of trauma-related disorders including Borderline Personality Disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, primarily with a Dialectical Behavioral and functional analytic orientation.

Josh is currently an M.A. student in Counselling Psychology at Simon Fraser University. Prior to entering the M.A. program, Josh completed a B.A. at SFU, majoring in Psychology with a minor in counseling and human development.His research interests include a variety of issues facing youth including suicide, stress management, and developmental outcomes of attachment - all within the context of community education. He hopes to apply his knowledge of research methods to create and implement educational programs and is excited by the opportunity to be working in a lab that can help make that dream a reality.

Aaron is a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in psychology. General interests include community, social, and theoretical psychology.

Alex is entering her fourth year of undergraduate studies, with a plan to pursue a joint major in criminology and psychology. Her interests lie in a number of different areas of study but she is currently focused on philosophy of science and measurement theory. She has specific interests in PTSD and its relationship to psychopathology/abnormal psychology. She plans to pursue graduate studies.

Caitie is working towards her B.A. in psychology and a minor in counseling and human development. Her interests lie in areas such as, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, and psychological measurement theory. She has hopes to pursue graduate studies in the future.

Keyne is completing her BA(Hons.) this year majoring in Psychology and minoring in both Gerontology and Counselling and Human Development. Her honours thesis examines the effects of rumination on depressive affect and self perception in persons with Borderline Personality Disorder. Research interests include cognitive processes associated with depression (such as emotion regulation and coping mechanisms), and psychometric theory.

Maria is working towards her B.A. in psychology and minor in philosophy. She has been at SFU for four years and has been exposed to many of the areas in psychology here. She has taken a particular interest in the area for theoretical and research methodology after brief exposure to the philosophy of science. She is looking forward to graduate school in this area.

Melanie is in her fourth year of a Psychology B.A. She is currently working on her Honours project which is examining the influence of language on children's moral development. Her other research interests include philosophy of science and psychological measurement theory.

Ramsay is currently in his last year of a B.A. with a major in Psychology and a minor in Dialogue. He is interested in how research from Psychology can be applied to Policy. He is especially interested in how to measure things like "well-being" and how research findings can be summarized. Ramsay is currently working on his Honours project, supervised by Dr. Kathleen Slaney, that looks at issues in meta-analysis.

Umme is entering her third year of undergraduate studies at SFU majoring in psychology and minoring in legal studies. Umme is still exploring psychology and her interests lie in a number of areas such as social psychology, inter-group relations, and psycholegal issues. She hopes to take on an honours project next year.