Welcome to my website. You can find information on my courses (2021-2022), my research interests, and additional resources for various topics in research design, measurement and statistical analysis.
Before joining the Psychology department at Western in 2013, I worked as a Scientist and Research Associate at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for over twelve years. I completed my undergraduate degree at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario and my doctorate degree here at Western in Psychology (Measurement) in 1998.
I was introduced to measurement and statistics, not in Psychology, but in Forestry back while I was completing a forestry technician program at Algonquin College in Pembroke, Ontario. I remember being impressed by the research at the Petawawa Research Forest, particularly a project aimed at finding the ideal spacing in tree plantations to maximize growth and volume. The evidence was right in front of us in the different experimental plots manipulating the spacing between trees. I did not know what a split plot factorial design was back then, but now I realize that I was looking at a beautiful one.
Then I made good use of representative sampling the hard way (black flies or minus forty degree climate) working as a scaler in a logging company in Northern Ontario. I had the responsibility to keep track of the total log volume inventory at a large lumber mill. It was impossible to measure the volume of all logs, so we selected random samples and applied prediction models based on truck load weight and average log diameter. I'm not sure I was aware of standard error by name back then, but now I realize that I developed an intuitive sense of its implications.
And then came Psychology and related social and health disciplines and many more complex and exciting challenges in measurement error, representative sampling, state-trait and person-by-environment models in areas of research including motivation, human aggression, and alcohol consumption patterns in university student populations. You can find out about my research interests and current projects in my Research section. Google Scholar Page, ResearchGate Page, and Twitter Page.