Conceptualization, Formalization & Measurement
Conceptualization, Formalization and Measurement is a Special Interest Group at the EHPS.
At the EHPS conference, contributions that critically discuss our field’s approach to conceptualization, formalization and measurement have increased in recent years, and are frequently well attended. Yet, we still have a long way to go to improve our practices regarding these issues within health psychology research.
The Conceptualization, Formalization and Measurement Special Interest Group was founded in 2025 to bring together researchers interested in tackling fundamental issues in health psychology research, ranging from the conceptualization and measurement of our constructs to the formalization of our theories and organizing frameworks. Stagnation in these areas hinders scientific progress and leads to research waste.
You can also follow us on Mastodon, BlueSky, and LinkedIn.
This website links to the Define and Conquer Podcast and to the CFM Webinars (hosted at PeerTube).
We have a page on the EHPS website at https://ehps.net/conceptualization-formalization-and-measurement/ as well as a LinkTree!
What is this SIG about?
This SIG aims to tackle fundamental issues in health psychology research, ranging from the conceptualization and measurement of our constructs to the formalization of our theories and organizing frameworks. Stagnation in these areas hinders scientific progress and leads to research waste. We are thus aiming to bring together researchers that are interested in topics such as:
- Comprehensive and transparent conceptualization of psychological constructs using rigorous approaches that promote collaboration and critical discussion
- Moving from narrative theory-building towards formal modeling of relationships between constructs
- Adoption of theory-based approaches to validity (v. overreliance on statistical validation techniques)
- Explicit incorporation of causal inference in theoretical models
- Moving towards more ontologically plausible theories of the human behavior and health and corresponding methods (e.g. exploring systems thinking, abandoning assumption of ergodicity)
Aims of the SIG
The aims of the SIG are:
- To connect health psychology researchers interested in the topics of the SIG
- To facilitate sharing of ideas, questions, resources, and collaboration, as well to advertise relevant publications, events, and other potential endeavours of interest.
- To develop solutions for pervasive issues within health psychology research, including (but not limited to) the replication crisis, the theory crisis, and the measurement crisis, and promote taking these issues into account within health psychology research.
- To develop, support, maintain, and steward community-owned, open infrastructure to work on these issues.