Background
It is both an honor and privilege to serve as the 2025-2026 president of Division 5. My journey with the division began when I had the opportunity to support Debbi Bandalos (past-past-past president) as program cochair for the APA Convention in 2023, alongside Wes Bonifay. That experience sparked a deep appreciation for what makes Division 5 truly special: the remarkable diversity of research interests, all connected by a shared commitment to advancing psychological methodology.
Past-Past Division 5 President Fred Wertz eloquently addressed the enduring challenge of balancing heterogeneity and unity within psychological methodology. Before him, Past-Past-Past-Past Division 5 President Alex Beaujean chronicled the evolving identity of Division 5, culminating in the formation of our three distinct sections: Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics (EMS), Assessment, and Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology (SQIP). Despite these structural changes, Alex emphasized a vital throughline—methodology—that continues to unify our division’s work.
While methods often focus on tool development or the “what” used to forward psychological science, methodology delves into the “how” and “why” or the reasoning and justification behind the use and application of these tools. Prioritizing methodology over method is essential to enhance the rigor and impact of psychological science. I have written more on this perspective in the July 2023 issue of The Score.
Initiatives
As president, I remain deeply committed to emphasizing methodology as a unifying force across the diverse perspectives of EMS, assessment, and SQIP. This focus not only strengthens our collective identity but fosters meaningful collaboration across our division’s sections.
One exciting initiative that exemplifies collaboration across our sections is the forthcoming Handbook of Methodology for Psychology in the 21st Century: Progress, Critique, and Future to be published by Guilford Press. Spearheaded by Past-Past President Fred Wertz, the project is being coedited alongside former Division 5 Presidents Lisa Harlow and Rachel Fouladi. The comprehensive volume will span a wide range of methodological domains, including:
- Qualitative inquiry: Coedited by Cynthia Winston and Lisa Osbeck
- Quantitative analysis: Coedited by me and former Division 5 President Debbi Bandalos
- Measurement and assessment: Coedited by former Division 5 Presidents Kurt Geisinger and Alex Beaujean
- Evaluation: Coedited by Bianca Montrosse-Moorhead and Rodney Hopson
- Mixed methods: Contributed by Burke Johnson
This handbook sets the table by featuring the breadth and depth of methodology within our community. More than a reference, it serves as a gateway to methodology-minded scholars and practitioners to engage with the rich diversity of approaches that shape our field. Each chapter not only traces the historical foundations of a given methodology but also envisions its future, offering a portrait of where we have been – and where we are headed.
Beyond intra-division collaborations, Division 5 continues to collaborate with other divisions in advancing methodological excellence. One example is the Committee on Division/ APA relations (CODAPAR) interdivisional grant proposal titled Retaining History to Keep the Science and Practice of Measurement Alive, which was recently submitted by Kurt Geisinger (president-elect of Division 26, Society for the History of Psychology and former President of Division 5). This initiative brings together Divisions 5, 14 (Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology), and 40 (Society for Clinical Neuropsychology), highlighting the enduring significance of measurement methodology across diverse psychological domains.
I look forward to continuing the tradition of collaboratively shaping Division 5 initiatives with the presidential trio—Past President Rachel Fouladi and President-Elect Leo Wilton—while also deepening communication and collaboration with the division’s executive committee. A central priority during my term is to foster meaningful member engagement by exploring how Division 5 can better support its community through both established programs, such as our mentor program, and new opportunities for networking and connection. To better understand the evolving needs and interests of our members, I am currently working with members of the executive committee to develop a membership survey. Your responses will help inform future initiatives and ensure our efforts are both responsive and inclusive. I warmly encourage you to participate in the survey and share your perspectives on how Division 5 can best serve you. Our initiatives are continually evolving, and your voice is essential in shaping their direction. Beyond the survey, I welcome your input at any time. Please feel free to reach out to me via email as I would love to hear your thoughts. Finally, the strength of Division 5 rests on the dedicated service of its members. If you are interested in contributing to the division’s leadership and initiatives, I invite you to connect with me about opportunities to serve.
2026 APA Convention Program
Looking forward to the 2026 APA Convention in San Francisco, I am thrilled to announce our program cochairs: Zachary Fisher and Ken Kelly. Recognizing the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on psychological science, practice, and pedagogy, the 2026 convention theme is: Psychological methodology meets artificial intelligence: Modern innovations and future advancements.
We welcome submissions exploring the transformative intersection of artificial intelligence and psychological science, particularly for advancing the field of methodology. As AI technologies reshape research landscapes, psychologists are uniquely positioned to advance both the science and practice of AI-enabled measurement, assessment, statistical analysis, and qualitative approaches, as well as pedagogy in methodology. Important conversations are also needed to address the logical and ethical limits of AI use in psychological science and research.
We invite presentations that demonstrate how AI can be used to complement or improve psychological research methods (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods), statistical approaches, and measurement science. We also invite presentations that examine the broader implications, best practices and ethical considerations of integrating AI into psychological research and practice.
As AI continues to shape the future of psychological methodology, our diverse membership—spanning disciplines, perspectives, and methodological expertise—is uniquely positioned to engage in meaningful dialogue about the opportunities and challenges AI presents. Through mentorship, networking, and the exchange of ideas, we aspire to foster a vibrant community where members can learn from one another and refine methodological practices in response to emerging technologies. We look forward to your insights and contributions as we navigate this exciting frontier together.
Jolynn Pek, PhD
Professor, Quantitative Psychology
The Ohio State University
Email