In recent years, psychological science has been under increased scrutiny and criticism. Experts have been unable to replicate some of their most widely recognised and significant findings, and stark realisations were made about the validity of the way in which research have been conducted.
“It is safe to say that we are going through an important period of change and self-reflection,” says Dr Efendić, who is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands.
“In the process of changing and improving the way we do research, a strong movement of open science has been focusing on increasing transparency and improving our research practices.” Dr Efendić is of the opinion that this is the reason we have seen shifts in research practice, various changes in journal and editorial policies, as well as changes in funding policies.
During his talk on 18 September, he will take his audience through what precipitated these changes, various practices that have been suggested and how to improve the research process (sample size and power justifications, pre-registration, etc.). The workshop will furthermore look at how these changes apply to a whole swath of areas within psychology, including positive psychology.
Dr Emir Efendić
More about the expert
Dr Efendić obtained his PhD in social psychology from the University of Bordeaux in France, where he focused on studying the impact of multiple affective reactions on decision making. However, he is also interested in research methodology and increasing the reproducibility of psychological science. Outside of the academic setting he has worked as a research consultant on a number of public policy issues, advising mainly on methodology and data analysis. He is also the associate editor at In-Mind Magazine which focuses on reporting the latest findings from scientific psychology to the general audience.
More about the workshop
The workshop is set to take place on 18 September from 09:00 to 10:30 at the Optentia Indaba Room in building 7 on the campus in Vanderbijlpark. Bookings can be made by contacting Lynn Booysen at Lynn.Booysen@nwu.ac.za.
