Contextual Behavioral Scientist-Practitioner Network (Scientist-Practitioner a la the 1999 book - https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1999-02070-000)
Purpose: To support clinicians and clinicians in training in conducting CBS research
Description: a group connecting via a dedicated and accessible platform for the sharing and development of resources (training, tools, and data) to support study design, data collection, data analysis, and dissemination
Leadership: Appointed from nominations, report directly to ACBS board
Why:
CBS as a scientific strategy proposes a reticulated research agenda by which multiple methodologies are applied to the same phenomena, as is appropriate for different contexts. In addition, the CBS perspective involves acknowledgement of how different learning histories result in different repertoires, each with their own limitations and advantages. CBS research, however, is dominated by traditional researchers working within traditional academic structures, the contingencies around which limit participation of CBS practitioners. This network aspires to reduce some barriers to the integration of the wisdom and expertise of CBS practitioners into the scientific record and subsequently, to enhance its influence on scientific progress. The purpose is not to turn CBS practitioners into academic researchers, but to recognize the unique perspective and skills CBS practitioners bring to research and to empower them to conduct and disseminate research that takes advantage of their skills and make use of their clinical setting which has high ecological validity.
Who:
CBS Practitioners (i.e., anyone applying CBS interventions to change behavior) who have demonstrated a competitive commitment to collecting ecologically valid data to inform both (1) specific intervention decisions, and (2) scientific progress at large. Will serve as the primary investigators and primary beneficiaries of the program.
CBS Practitioners in Training (i.e., anyone in training to apply CBS interventions to change behavior) who have demonstrated commitment to collecting ecologically valid data to inform both (1) specific intervention decisions, and (2) scientific progress at large. Will serve as research assistants and secondary beneficiaries of the program.
CBS Researchers (i.e., anyone doing research from a CBS perspective) who are committed to supporting CBS Practitioners in functioning as Scientist-Practitioners. Will provide training, resources, and support in service role. Tertiary beneficiaries of the program.
CBS Affiliates (i.e., any ACBS members interested in the network) who are interested in supporting CBS Practitioners in functioning as Scientist-Practitioners. May or may not benefit from the program.
How:
- ACBS* appoints leadership to function as a Board-appointed committee. Initial recruitment might involve a range of ACBS members who function primarily as practitioners, and who, together represent the diversity found in ACBS with regard to gender, ethnicity, culture, educational background, profession, etc. Initial appointees to the Executive Committee include:
- Dayna Lee-Baggley
- Michael May
- Gita Srikanth
- Luisa Canon
- Fabián Olaz
- Denisha Gingles
- Emmie Hebert
- Corey Porche
This Executive Committee will begin leading this initiative with ACBS support by:
- considering the composition of their committee in light of membership data, active SIGs and chapter representation, and other ACBS data, and identifying underrepresented stakeholders that might be added to improve representation
- making additional appointments as deemed necessary from 1
- identifying examples of groups with overlapping goals (e.g., https://portlandpsychotherapy.com) reviewing the literature on professional research networks with slightly different goals (e.g., https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10488-017-0810-5; ), and reviewing the work of effective scientist-practitioners (e.g., https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005789420300629),
- choosing/developing a platform(s) for practitioners to easily connect,
- deciding on eligibility criteria that maximizes commitment/dedication, public recognition or prestige for participants, and accessibility,
- creating an application process,
- collecting existing resources and soliciting new training/tools,
- developing and submitting a budget to ACBS (e.g, $1500 for data collection and storage software, training resources, networking tools, etc.),
- deciding on criteria for participation,
- setting short and long term goals for the network and creating practices for evaluating progress towards those goals,
- establishing a schedule for meeting of network and board,
- choosing a governance strategy, and
- determining a process for internal checks of 1-10 with regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion
*CSP Member, Emily Sandoz, will assist the Executive Committee in this process, as needed, and feels strongly about practitioner voices being given the most weight in the conversation.
Examples of how the CBS Scientist-Practitioner Network may empower CBS clinicians to conduct research is provided for illustrative purposes only. The intended purpose of the network is to empower the Scientist-Practitioner Network Board to create solutions they see as supporting the mission of the Scientist-Practitioner Network rather than these solutions being dictated by others.
Example 1: A group of clinicians from clinical settings working together through the CBS Scientist-Practitioner Network platform and communication infrastructure to support a program of research. Most clinicians do not have the time to support a full program of research but several clinicians working together on the same research topic may have sufficient resources to enable a program of research. In such a model, the group identifies a research project and each member contributes to it. For example, the group identifies a specific research topic to study and collectively contribute to writing grant applications (e.g., each member is responsible for writing one section of the grant application), conducting the research (e.g., each member is responsible for writing one section of the ethics application), and disseminating the research. All members of the group contribute to various parts of the research project and by pooling their time and resources can be part of an active research program.
Example 2: A group of clinicians from clinical settings working together through the CBS Scientist-Practitioner Network platform and communication infrastructure identify sources of funding and dissemination that recognize and value high ecological validity. For example, the group finds research funds that prioritize clinical settings such as foundations for certain diseases (e.g., Heart and Stroke Foundation). The group may also identify journals that have clinical focuses or types of submissions that focus on clinical knowledge or high ecological validity rather than high internal validity (e.g., RCT). They may also identify other means of disseminating information (e.g., blogs, social media). Such information is shared among the CBS Scientist-Practitioner Network to reduce the amount of effort it takes for any single clinician to find these resources and outlets. The intended goal is to “get out of the lane” held by academic researchers in order to identify funding and dissemination means that value a clinician’s contribution to research rather than trying to “compete” with academic researchers.