Cloud-based Meta-analysis to Bridge Science and Practice: Welcome to metaBUS

Although volumes have been written on spanning the science-practice gap in applied psychology, surprisingly few tangible components of that bridge have actually been constructed. We describe the metaBUS platform that addresses three challenges of one gap contributor: information overload. In particular, we describe challenges stemming from: (1) lack of access to research findings, (2) lack of an organizing map of topics studied, and (3) lack of interpretation guidelines for research findings. For each challenge, we show how metaBUS, which provides an advanced search and synthesis engine of currently more than 780,000 findings from 9,000 studies, can provide the building blocks needed to move beyond engineering design phase and toward construction, generating rapid, first-pass meta-analyses on virtually any topic to inform both research and practice. We provide an Internet link to access a preliminary version of the metaBUS interface and provide two brief demonstrations illustrating its functionality

Highlighting tensions in recruitment and selection research and practice

In this article we highlight five tensions that exist in recruitment and selection (R&S) research and practice today and that are centered around the 'efficiency press' and so called 'research-practice' gap. Identified tensions are desires for (1) innovation and efficiency, (2) customization and consistency, (3) transparency and effectiveness, (4) wide-reach and coherence, and (5) diversity and standardization. Each tension is illustrated with findings from the five studies of this Special Issue that were presented at the third meeting of the European Network of Selection Researchers (August 2014), and supplemented with empirical data on the research-practice gap in R&S (period 2009-2013). We consider how we might move forward in addressing the 'efficiency press' in research as well as managing these tensions in practice

Applicant perspectives during selection

We provide a comprehensive but critical review of research on applicant reactions to selection procedures published since 2000 (n = 145), when the last major review article on applicant reactions appeared in the Journal of Management. We start by addressing the main criticisms levied against the field to determine whether applicant reactions matter to individuals and employers (“So what?”). This is followed by a consideration of “What’s new?” by conducting a comprehensive and detailed review of applicant reaction research centered upon four areas of growth: expansion of the theoretical lens, incorporation of new technology in the selection arena, internationalization of applicant reactions research, and emerging boundary conditions. Our final section focuses on “Where to next?” and offers an updated and integrated conceptual model of applicant reactions, four key challenges, and eight specific future research questions. Our conclusion is that the field demonstrates stronger research designs, with studies incorporating greater control, broader constructs, and multiple time points. There is also solid evidence that applicant reactions have significant and meaningful effects on attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. At the same time, we identify some remaining gaps in the literature and a number of critical questions that remain to be explored, particularly in light of technological and societal changes

Indirect performace information: performance appraisal ratings, rater reactions, and memory, by modality of indirect information and level of performance

Bibliography: p. 98-106

Rater ability and motivation in frame-of-reference training: implications of rater idiosyncrasy and theory agreement for accuracy and rater reactions

Bibliography: p. 67-7

A metaBUS-enabled meta-analysis of career satisfaction

Purpose - In this study, the authors revisit the meta-analytic correlates of career satisfaction and demonstrate the use of metaBUS – a database repository of meta-analytic effect sizes and related information from the field of applied psychology. The purpose of this paper is to extend prior meta-analytic research on the topic of career satisfaction and compare the results from the metaBUS-enabled meta-analysis, with the results from meta-analyses that do not build on the repository. Design/methodology/approach - A multilevel meta-analysis was conducted on all correlates available in the metaBUS database and the approach was described in a step-by-step fashion. Findings - The demonstration reiterated some of the findings of prior meta-analyses, but also revealed considerable incongruity between the sample taken from the metaBUS database and the meta-analytic sample from studies that relied on non-metaBUS-based literature searches. Nevertheless, the results are similar in terms of the directions of the effects and the relative sizes of the effects. Research limitations/implications - The paper demonstrates the use of the metaBUS database. In addition, results suggest that meta-analyses on career satisfaction might have suffered from sample selection issues, but further research is required in order to establish the source of the sample selection incongruence. Originality/value - This is the first step-by-step demonstration of the use of metaBUS specifically for meta-analyses

Cloud-based Meta-analysis to Bridge Science and Practice: Welcome to metaBUS

Although volumes have been written on spanning the science-practice gap in applied psychology, surprisingly few tangible components of that bridge have actually been constructed. We describe the metaBUS platform that addresses three challenges of one gap contributor: information overload. In particular, we describe challenges stemming from: (1) lack of access to research findings, (2) lack of an organizing map of topics studied, and (3) lack of interpretation guidelines for research findings. For each challenge, we show how metaBUS, which provides an advanced search and synthesis engine of currently more than 780,000 findings from 9,000 studies, can provide the building blocks needed to move beyond engineering design phase and toward construction, generating rapid, first-pass meta-analyses on virtually any topic to inform both research and practice. We provide an Internet link to access a preliminary version of the metaBUS interface and provide two brief demonstrations illustrating its functionality