A Big Week

Things have developed rapidly since we initially proposed that now is the time to begin building a CERN for psychological science. Seventy two labs from twenty nine countries have signed up for the network (see the google map below). Furthermore, 31 labs have already committed to our first data collection projects in 2018, taking the generous step of agreeing in principal to collect data for yet-to-be-determined studies. Clearly there is strong grassroots support for such an initiative. What an exciting time to be working on the improvement of psychological science through large-scale collaboration!

What’s next?

Here are our next steps, including ways for you to get involved if you aren’t already:

-We will continue recruitment for the CERN network indefinitely. We need many more labs in many more locations with many more resources to make this a truly transformative project. You can still sign up here.

-Specifically, for the two Collections² that we will coordinate in 2018, we would love to recruit additional labs, even though we have already surpassed our minimum goal of 10 labs devoted to each. We could particularly use more North American labs with diverse student subject populations. Again, fill out the form linked above or contact me at cchartie@ashland.edu to get involved. This specific recruitment effort will continue until September 15^th.

-We will release an open “call for studies” on October 1^st to select the studies to be included in these initial Collections².

-Collecting labs will then decide as a group which studies we will collect data for in 2018. Our decisions will be made by October 15^th.

-We will then work with the researchers whose proposals were selected for these initial Collections² to finalize detailed data collection protocols. This work will wrap up by November 15^th. During this month, we will also recruit additional data collection labs in case other researchers become interested in the Collections² once the specific studies are announced.

-On November 16^th we will distribute finalized protocols to all data collection labs so they can begin making logistical arrangements and can initiate their IRB review process.

-Data collection will take place between January 1^st 2018 and December 31^st 2018.

-Manuscripts will be prepared and submitted in 2019. Proposing researchers and all data collection laboratories for each Collection² will help draft, review, approve of, and be listed as authors on the resulting manuscripts.

What Should We Call Ourselves?

Another open issue is what we should call this distributed laboratory network. My initial title drawing comparisons to CERN in physics was for metaphorical purposes, and we may wish to proceed under a different title. What do you think we should call ourselves? Stick with CERN for psychological science? I’m open to ideas and feedback on this matter. Shoot me an email (cchartie@ashland.edu) or tweet at me (https://twitter.com/crchartier) with your thoughts.

Onward!

Thank you so much for your continued support of this project. I have been overwhelmed with the response and am filled with enthusiasm to continue building a CERN for psychological science.