Editorial: A Quarterly Review of Psychological Science Research
Klaus D. Kubinger (editor in chief)

General
The scope of Psychology Science Quarterly (formerly Psychologische Beiträge) is wide; it publishes important research results on topics of every discipline of psychology. It is primarily a journal of empirical contributions, though it also publishes theoretical papers if they serve for the basics of psychological research questions.   
As the title indicates, particular weight is given to high-level scientific research. For this reason, high standards in the application of empirical methods – including elaborated methodological approaches – are desired. Either theory-based experimental designs or the use of excellent methods, procedures, and algorithms are welcome. Though some misuse of statistics may be common, this and other improper approaches should be avoided. Above all, fundamental research – particularly research that has practical relevance for a psychologist’s occupation – is of great interest for this journal.
Of course, papers with well-planned studies and experiments that do not deliver significant results, that is to say do not confirm the assumed hypothesis, are in no way excluded; their contribution to scientific knowledge may be just as important as that of papers with positive results.

Previous issues
Authors may recognize the broad field of disciplines covered by Psychology Science Quarterly by looking at the board members’ specializations. However, in the past several issues, the journal has focused on the subjects of psychology-specific statistical methods and problems, general psychometrics, and psychological assessment. This might be due to the fact that there are currently few pertinent journals dealing with these topics at authors’ disposal. Hence, we will take this new tradition of the journal into account.
As initially planned for the new start of this journal in 2003 (the traditional German predecessor journal “Psychologische Beiträge” was first published in 1959), we established a special section for statistical artifacts, in order to contribute to the improvement of the methodological standards within psychological research. It seems necessary to mention at least two of the papers published in this section: “The robustness of parametric statistical methods” (Rasch & Guiard, 2004) reviews 25 years of research proving the substantial robustness of the t-test as concerns the violation of normally distributed variables; “Testing a correlation coefficient’s significance: Using H₀: 0 < ρ ≤ λ is preferable to H₀: ρ = 0” (Kubinger, Rasch & Šimečkova, 2007) emphasizes that testing a correlation coefficient only against the null-hypothesis of the coefficient’s being unequal to zero within the population is hardly useful or informative. But see all contributions at http://www.psychology-science.com/.
The special issues published in the meantime have proved very popular. Again, two of them shall be specifically mentioned: “Brain and number” (Nuerk, Willmes & Fias, 2005) investigates the process of psycho-neurological functioning in the representation of numbers, in particular as concerns the paper “Gender differences in brain activation patterns during mental rotation and number related cognitive tasks” (Kucian, Loenneker, Dietrich, Martin & von Aster, 2005); “Considering response distortion in personality measurement for industrial, work and organizational psychology research and practice” (Ones, Viswesvaran, Dilchert & Deller, 2006) contains an in-depth investigation of the usefulness of personality questionnaires within personnel selection, for instance as concerns the paper “Social desirability: the role of over-claiming, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence” (Mesmer-Magnus, Viswesvaran, Deshpande & Joseph, 2006). Both these special issues are frequently referred to in other international journals. 
As concerns the new tradition of focusing on psychology-specific statistical methods and problems, general psychometrics, and psychological assessment, there are also some contributions which might initiate or facilitate future research within psychology. One example is “Testing the assumption of multivariate normality” (von Eye & Bogat, 2004). Within the framework of IRT (Item Response Theory), it shall be referred to “Latent regression analysis based on the Rating Scale model” (Andersen, 2004) and “On changing the position of items in personality questionnaires – analysing effects of item sequence using IRT” (Ortner, 2004). Finally, “An algorithm for the separation of skill and working style” (Häusler, 2004) is one of several articles advancing psychological assessment.

Forthcoming 
Currently, the journal has once more been renamed, to Psychology Science Quarterly (Psychol Sci Q). All board members agreed that there was a danger of confusion, since another journal is also abbreviated as “Psychol Sci” by the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) (cf. Genamics JournalSeek, http://journalseek.net/ ).
We have added some very famous psychological scientists to the board: Markus Bühner, Munich, for Statistical Artifacts: Examples; Jan Eichstaedt, Hamburg, Social Psychology; Susan E. Embretson, Atlanta, Psychometrics; Bertram Gawronski, Ontario, Social Psychology; Ron K. Hambleton, Massachusetts, Large Scale Assessment; Deniz S. Ones, Minneapolis, Occupational Psychology; Tuulia M. Ortner, Berlin, Personality Assessment; and Fons J.R. van de Vijver, Tilburg, Cross Culture Testing. Welcome to the board!
The given issue 2008/1 comprises papers being varia. The same is true for the fourth issue of this year, but both the following two will be special issues: “High ability assessment” (2008/2) and “Using the LLTM (Linear Logistic Test-Model) for item calibration and fundamental research on the psycho-diagnostic process”. For 2009, the following special issues are scheduled: “Objective personality tests and IAT concepts,” “Rasch model item calibration and Rasch model based item generation rules,” “The Big Five personality model,” and “Pertinent problems in the application of statistics in psychology.” However, any suggestions for other special issues are welcome to the editorial board. At any rate, we will try to publish at least two issues each year of papers being varia.


References:
Andersen, E.B. (2004). Latent regression analysis based on the Rating Scale model. Psychology Science, 46, 209-226.
Häusler, J. (2004). An algorithm for the separation of skill and working style. Psychology Science, 46, 433-450.
Kucian, K., Loenneker, T., Dietrich, T., Martin, E. & von Aster, M. (2005). Gender differences in brain activation patterns during mental rotation and number related cognitive tasks. Psychology Science, 4, 112-131.
Kubinger, K.D., Rasch, D. & Šimečkova, M. (2007). Testing a correlation coefficient’s significance: Using H₀: 0 < ρ ≤ λ is preferable to H₀: ρ = 0. Psychology Science, 49, 74-87.
Mesmer-Magnus, J., Viswesvaran, C., Deshpande, S. & Joseph, J. (2006). Social desirability: the role of over-claiming, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence. Psychology Science, 49, 336-356.
Nuerk, C.H., Willmes, K. & Fias, W. (Eds.)(2005). Special issue: Brain and Number. Psychology Science, 47, 1.
Ones, D.S., Viswesvaran, C., Dilchert, S., & Deller, J. (Eds.)(2006). Special issue: Considering response distortion in personality measurement for industrial, work and organizational psychology research and practice. Psychology Science, 48, 1.
Ortner, T.M. (2004). On changing the position of items in personality questionnaires – analysing effects of item sequence using IRT. Psychology Science, 46, 466-476.
Rasch, D. & Guiard, V. (2004). The robustness of parametric statistical methods. Psychology Science, 46, 175-208.
von Eye. A. & Bogat, G.A. (2004). Testing the assumption of multivariate normality. Psychology Science, 46, 243-258.

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