Fred Oswald, PhD

Oswald is a professor of industrial-organizational psychology at Rice University and the current chair of the Board on Human-Systems Integration at the National Academies.

Tell us a bit about your background: What is your area of research? What is your most recent journal editing experience?

As an industrial-organizational psychologist, my research centers on developing, evaluating, and implementing psychometrically sound measures used in organizational and educational settings (e.g., measures of knowledge, personality, motivation, and interests). You probably won’t be surprised to hear that current research with my graduate students involves artificial intelligence (machine learning [ML] and large language models [LLMs]). Over the years, my work has been greatly enhanced—and frankly more fun—by collaborating with researchers across various areas of psychology (e.g., quantitative, clinical, personality, social, cognitive, and human factors). In this way, my professional history has given me a healthy appreciation for how psychological methods can support the advancement of all disciplines of psychology.

Just as my research has been multidisciplinary, so has my editorial experience. In addition to having served APA previously as associate editor of Psychological Methods and the Journal of Applied Psychology, I have also been associate editor at several methods journals (e.g., Advances in Methods and Practice in Psychological Science and Research Synthesis Methods and was senior methods editor at the Journal of Management), and other substantive journals (e.g., Journal of Research in Personality and Journal of Business and Psychology). Through all these editorial experiences, I have been fortunate to continue to develop well-rounded perspectives informed by a wide range of manuscripts, authors, and reviewers. I have the benefit of so many talented editors as mentors, such as Lillian Eby, Lisa Harlow, Rich Lucas, Steven Rogelberg, Hannah Rothstein, Deborah Rupp, and Dan Simons.

What are your main priorities? For example, how will you grow readership, what type of scholarship would you like to see in the journal, and what kind of content are you hoping to attract? 

Psychological Methods is for all readers seeking to improve how they design, analyze, and interpret psychological research. As data, models, and samples become increasingly complex, the journal will continue to advance traditional methodologies (e.g., regression, ANOVA, and mixed methods) and explore new ones (e.g., ML, LLMs, and dynamic modeling). Psychological Methods invites authors to submit any methodological contribution that meets the growing needs of the psychological research community and increases the usefulness and impact of our methods. Ideally, journal submissions are the following:

• Methodologically rigorous and transparent (versus “flashy” through overclaiming or selective omission);
• Clearly written and informed by scholarship, with clear logic and incremental contribution; and
• Accessible, useful, and usable by a broad readership of psychological researchers (even if the work is technical in nature).

What challenges, if any, lie ahead for the field and/or the journal? What issues do you see as important for the field to address more broadly?

Speaking further to the issue of accessibility to the Psychological Methods readership, methodological tutorials and interactive statistical tools are welcome, because they can have a broad impact on researchers, graduate students, and even the general educated public. These contributions are valuable when the authors ensure that the “why” of a tutorial or tool is important, not just the “what” and the “how.” Accessibility, transparency, and reproducibility are also increased when a submitting author provides all the code, data, and materials related to their submission, so that readers can learn from and be inspired by them in their own research. Also, these resources should come with citations, so that authors receive the rewards of due credit and greater visibility. Overall, clearer communication and wider sharing of our methodological papers and digital assets will help psychological methods cross boundaries (e.g., across the subdisciplines of psychology, to disciplines outside the field, and to agencies and policymakers).

What advice would you offer new authors hoping to publish in your journal? What are you looking for in a manuscript?  

Psychological Methods enthusiastically supports early career researchers who are developing their expertise and new innovations while seeking to improve the quality of psychological research. New methodologists can add important vitality and insights to the journal. Because I have already spoken about what the journal seeks to publish, let me instead emphasize how we all should help early career researchers expand their professional networks. If you are an experienced methodologist, please continue to give early career researchers the time and opportunities they need. Everyone involved benefits from these activities, not to mention the whole of psychology.

APA Journals is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in its practices and systems. How will this be reflected in the journal?

Consistent with APA’s strategic commitment to enriching and expanding our community of psychological researchers, Psychological Methods is fortunate to have brought in three editorial fellows: Haoran Li, Oscar Gonzalez, and Vithor Franco. Our representation of women as associate editors at Psychological Methods also signals important changes for the field. The journal already has an excellent history and reputation, and in the coming years, our dedicated editorial team is excited about supporting authors and their innovative and impactful work.

Explore APA Journals’ EDI initiatives.