Suzanne. B. Johnson, Ph.D., Chair
The Board of Scientific Affairs held two meetings in 2004, on March 26-28 and November 5-7. The following report summarizes the major issues that were of concern to the Board over the past year. At the March meeting the Board of Scientific Affairs welcomed Steven J. Breckler the incoming Executive Director of the Science Directorate, who took his post in April. Dr. Breckler is a social psychologist by training with over 20 years experience as a psychology professor and science administrator including directing the National Science Foundation (NSF) social psychology and Science of Learning Centers programs.
The fourth ATI on Structural Equation Modeling in Longitudinal Research was held at the University of Hawaii in August 2004 and taught by John McArdle, PhD and John Nesselroade, PhD.
In response to BSA's recommendation to develop an ATI on Genetics, the APA has become an “affiliate” with the University of Colorado's Institute for Behavioral Genetics workshop on genetics that has been held for more than a decade. APA has a link to the website and provides assistance in recruiting minority scientists. BSA continued to discuss ideas for expanding the ATI program.
BSA Task Force on Research Regulation: The Task Force was formed to assist APA in addressing the impact of proposed legislation and/or regulatory changes on behavioral research; and to develop guidance or materials to help researchers address current regulations and institutional requirements. The Task Force held its second meeting in November 2004 and focused on two products: (i) a Web-based resource for researchers to enable them to navigate the IRB process and (ii) a survey of NIH-funded researchers to gauge their experience in working within the system of research regulation. Information gained from the survey can then be used to develop additional resources—educational materials, workshops, etc.
BSA Working Group on Conducting Research on the Internet: The Working Group was formed to explore emerging ethical and scientific issues related to the conduct of research over the Internet. The group's final report is available on the Science Directorate website and a condensed version was published in the American Psychologist in the February/March 2004 issue.
Task Force on Psychological Testing on the Internet: The Task Force, a joint Board of Scientific Affairs (BSA) and Board of Professional Affairs (BPA) initiative, produced a report that reviews current practices applied to Internet-based psychological testing and assessment; explores the psychometric, ethical, legal, and practical implications of Internet based testing and assessment; and addresses issues concerning test validity, test administration, test protection, and test-taker confidentiality. The group's final report is available on the Science Directorate website and a condensed version was published in the April 2004 issue of the American Psychologist.
Meritorious Research Service Commendation: BSA developed the Meritorious Research Service Commendation to recognize outstanding psychologists in the federal government who help foster research by their programmatic activities. Psychologists in federal funding agencies play a crucial role in the development of the discipline -- in running the programs that fund psychological scientists, in identifying new opportunities and directions, in working with the science community to develop programs and funding opportunities, in serving as catalyst for promoting cutting edge opportunities, and in shepherding behavioral research within their institutions. 2004 is the third year in which the citation was given. BSA chose five individuals to receive the citation for 2004. They were: Ronald Abeles, Israel I. Lederhendler, G. Reid Lyon, Willo Pequegnat, and Anita M. Sostek.
Summer Science Institute: In an effort to increase the psychological science pipeline, BSA sponsored two summer institutes for students. Promising freshman and sophomore undergraduates were provided with an in-depth exposure to scientific psychology at the 9th Annual Summer Science Institute (SSI) at Vanderbilt University in June 2004. More advanced undergraduates participated in a new training program, the Advanced Statistical Training in Psychology (ASTP) program, held in July, 2004 at the University of Maryland, College Park. This new program is an intensive, 9-day, hands-on seminar in which students who are planning to pursue a graduate degree in psychology learn about statistics and research methods in a dynamic setting that emphasizes hands-on computer skills. The ASTP targets students from traditionally underrepresented groups in psychology.
Decade of Behavior: The Science Directorate continues to coordinate Decade of Behavior activities. The activities of the Decade of Behavior for 2004 included: (1) Exploring Behavior Week-an outreach program to introduce secondary school students to the behavioral/social sciences; (2) Distinguished Lecture Program-support for cross-disciplinary addresses on Decade of Behavior themes at professional meetings of endorsing organizations; (3) Decade of Behavior Research Award - recognizes high-caliber research that has demonstrated impact on policy or society at large, has contributed to the use of social and behavioral science knowledge in policy settings, or has enhanced public understanding of behavioral or social science principles; (4) Behavior Matters Booklet Series – a publication that offers a sampling of behavioral research that has led to innovations and improvements in our lives.
Science at the APA Convention: The 2004 Convention was organized into plenary sessions, substantive division programming, topical track programming, board/committee programs, awards addresses, and an opening and closing session. The science programs sponsored by BSA included the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award addresses, the Neal Miller Lecture, the Master Lectures, and BSA, CPTA, and CARE programs.
Lecture Programs:
Master Lecture Program: BSA selected the following speakers to participate in the 2005 Master Lecture Program at the 2005 convention: Megan Gunnar, PhD, biopsychology; Susan Goldin-Meadow, PhD, cognition and perception; Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, PhD, personality and individual differences; Paul Sackett, PhD, applied psychology; and Shelley Taylor, PhD, health and behavioral medicine.
Distinguished Scientist Lecturer Program: BSA selected the following speakers to deliver Distinguished Lectures at regional psychology conferences: Richard Hackman, PhD, Bartley Hoebel, PhD, and Laurence Steinberg, PhD.
Neal Miller Lecture: BSA selected Lynn Nadel, PhD as the Neal Miller Lecturer at the 2005 APA convention.
BSA Committees: The work of the committees constitutes a large part of science governance as summarized below:
The Committee on Scientific Awards continues to recognize important scientific achievement in psychology through prestigious national awards. The Committee also serves as a resource for APA nominations for other scientific awards not conferred by APA for which members may be eligible.
The Committee on Animal Research and Ethics developed educational packages geared toward high school students that will be available via the web as well as by request through the Science Directorate. In addition, CARE initiated a project to gauge the current status of nonhuman animal research in psychology.
The Committee on Psychological Tests and Assessment continued to work on revising two position statements, “Disclosure of Test Data” and “Observers of Psychological Testing.”
The Science Student Council advises BSA and the Science Directorate on student-related issues, including awards and programming at the APA Convention. The Science Student Council offered two new awards this year – the APA Science Student Council $1,000 New Investigator Award in basic research, which went to Celia Gonzalez of New York University, and another $1,000 award in applied research, which went to Julie Milligan of the University of Texas.
At its November meeting, BSA members elected Roberta Klatzky, PhD, as Chair and Marilyn Carroll, PhD, as Vice Chair for 2005.
2004 BSA members: Suzanne B. Johnson, PhD, (Chair), Linda M. Bartoshuk, PhD, Gwyneth M. Boodoo, PhD, Marulyn E. Carroll, PhD, Sandra Graham, PhD, Jo-Ida C. Hansen, PhD, Roberta L. Klatzky, PhD, Hazel R. Markus, PhD, and John Weisz, PhD. BSA does have minority representation on its membership.
2004 Annual Reports Home
