AIR Shapes Improvements in the Workplace By Contributing to the Field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology Research
Washington, D.C. — The workplace is undergoing rapid changes due to advancing technologies and other trends and so is workforce-related research, revealed AIR researchers who recently presented at the 2005 Annual Conference of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP).
More than 25 AIR researchers participated in the conference, presenting on topics including training the next generation of doctors; tools for assessing leadership; and the complex impact of anger in the workplace. AIR presenters also evaluated the quality and usefulness of certain research methods in the field of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology; the growing popularity of applying I/O methodologies to other fields; and debated the doctoral needs of students who will shape the future of industrial and organization research.
AIR researchers led discussions related to training the future generation of doctors by addressing team training, simulation, and competency modeling in the training of physicians.
“One of the most challenging workplaces is the medical emergency setting,” said Mark Kutner, Vice President of AIR’s Workforce Research and Analysis Program. “We help identify ways to make patient care as safe and efficient as possible within that setting. We also provide training for medical teams based on the research, with the goal of reducing medical errors.”
AIR is recognized as a leader in conducting research studies that result in a more effective labor force based on an understanding of current and emerging workforce trends and is experienced in creating personnel selection systems that support equity and promote effectiveness.
AIR is one of the nation’s largest employers of industrial and organizational psychologists. Many of AIR’s experts are experimental and cognitive psychologists with an extensive range of experience with high-technology and computer-based products. The AIR staff includes human factors engineers, industrial engineers, product designers, training specialists, software and hardware experts, systems analysts, and linguists. Working with private sector and government agencies, AIR conducts usability tests and reviews of software, hardware, medical equipment, services, websites and documentation.
About AIR
The American Institutes for Research, founded in 1946, is a leader in the behavioral and social sciences. AIR is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization engaged in domestic and international research, development, evaluation, analysis, product development, training and technical assistance and assessment.