Define and Conquer

Define and Conquer

Scientific progress in health psychology is hindered by pervasive issues ranging from the conceptualisation and measurement of our constructs to the formalisation of our theories and organising frameworks. This limited podcast series hosted by Olga Perski and Christoph Bamberg aims to 1) raise awareness of key issues facing the field of health psychology and 2) discuss potential solutions and insights with experts from the newly formed EHPS SIG in Conceptualisation, Formalisation and Measurement and beyond.

Afleveringen

  1. 4 DGN GELEDEN

    Introducing Formal Ontologies with Paulina Schenk

    In our fourth episode, we speak with Dr Paulina Schenk about formal ontologies and what they can offer for health psychology and behavioural science. We discuss, in simple terms, what ontologies are, how they differ from taxonomies, and why relating concepts to one another matters for research, evidence synthesis, and practice. The episode also explores how ontologies are developed, how they can accommodate nuance and context, and how they connect to topics such as causal models and AI.  Here is a small glossary of the important terms used in this episode (since, admittedly, there are quite a few when talking about ontologies). Class: Ontology classes are representations of groupings or types of things in the world (Arp et al., 2015; Michie et al., 2025).Ontology: A classification framework that includes representations of things (classes), their relationships and labels, definitions and unique computer-readable alphanumeric IDs for these (Arp et al., 2015; Michie et al., 2025).Annotation: Process of coding selected parts of documents or other resources to identify the presence of ontological entities (Arp et al., 2015; Michie et al., 2017). If you are interested in a clearer understanding of what ontologies are and why they may become increasingly useful in behavioural research, this episode is for you! Ressources: Mechanism of Action Ontology part of the BCIO: Schenk, P. M., Wright, A. J., West, R., Hastings, J., Lorencatto, F., Moore, C., ... & Michie, S. (2024). An ontology of mechanisms of action in behaviour change interventions. Wellcome Open Research, 8, 337. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.19489.2Upper-level Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology: Michie, S., West, R., Finnerty, A. N., Norris, E., Wright, A. J., Marques, M. M., ... & Hastings, J. (2021). Representation of behaviour change interventions and their evaluation: Development of the Upper Level of the Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology. Wellcome open research, 5, 123. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15902.2COPPER Ontology: Braun, M., Carlier, S., De Paepe, A., De Backere, F., De Turck, F., & Crombez, G. (2025). Development and evaluation of the COntextualised and Personalised Physical activity and Exercise Recommendations (COPPER) Ontology. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 22(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-025-01744-5

    50 min.
  2. 23-10-2025

    Defining Our Constructs: Clarity, Jingle–Jangle, and the DCT, with Annick De Paepe

    In our first guest episode, we talk with Annick De Paepe about why vague construct definitions stall science and how to fix this. Topics include jingle–jangle pitfalls, pragmatic realism (and why multiple context-specific definitions can coexist), the Decentralised Construct Taxonomy, and a practical 4-step method for crafting definitions—illustrated with HAPA constructs (action planning, coping planning, self-efficacy, action control). We hope that you leave with concrete steps to write and cite clearer definitions and how to link them to measurement. Learn more about the Conceptualization, Formalization and Measurement interest group here: https://cfm.opens.science/ Here are some resources for your further study: De Paepe, A., Perski, O., Tack, E., Van Alboom, M., De Bruecker, M., Van Overbeke, M., … Braun, M. (2025, August 5). Towards clear construct definitions: Applying an iterative approach to constructs of the Health Action Process Approach  (HAPA). https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/wbcn3_v1   Podsakoff, P.M., MacKenzie, S.B. & Podsakoff, N.P. (2016). Recommendations for creating better concept definitions in the organizational, behavioral and social sciences. Organizational Rsearch Methods, 19(2):159-203. https://doi/10.1177/1094428115624965 Bringmann, L.F., Elmer, T. & Eronen, M.I. Back to basics: The importance of conceptual clarification in psychological science. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 31(4):340-346. https://https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721422109648  MacKenzie, S.B., Podsakoff, P.M. & Podsakoff, N.P. Construct measurement and validation procedures in MIS and behavioral research: integrating new and existing techniques. MIS Quarterly, 35(2):293-334. https://doi.org/10.2307/23044045  Peters, G.-J.& Crutzen, R. (2024). Knowing what we’re talking about: Facilitating Decentralized Unequivocal Publication of and Reference to Psychological Construct definitions and instructions. Meta-Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.15626/MP.2022.3638

    46 min.

Info

Scientific progress in health psychology is hindered by pervasive issues ranging from the conceptualisation and measurement of our constructs to the formalisation of our theories and organising frameworks. This limited podcast series hosted by Olga Perski and Christoph Bamberg aims to 1) raise awareness of key issues facing the field of health psychology and 2) discuss potential solutions and insights with experts from the newly formed EHPS SIG in Conceptualisation, Formalisation and Measurement and beyond.