Many papers published in Physical Review Physics Education Research (PRPER) use statistical modeling techniques, such as structural equation modeling and network analysis. These techniques are constantly evolving and becoming familiar with the appropriate use of these techniques is a significant burden on reviewers.
PRPER has developed the Statistical Modeling Review Committee (SMRC) to help support high-quality statistical modeling techniques. This group is made up of PER researchers who have expertise in advanced statistical methods. The group will also reach out to other experts outside of PER as needed.
The SMRC will support high-quality statistical modeling techniques in PRPER in two ways. First, once a paper is submitted for consideration in PRPER, the editors can consult with the SMRC for a review of the statistical techniques. This review will comment on the correctness of the statistical techniques used and the interpretation of those results as well as whether the techniques are described in a way that is accessible to a typical researcher in PER. Editors can request feedback from the SMRC at any point in the review process. Second, based on their experience with submitted papers, the SMRC may become engaged in educating prospective authors and reviewers on available resources, sponsoring workshops, and other related things to build statistical capacity within the PER community.
The SMRC will have a Chair, who will be the point of contact for the committee. When the Chair receives a request for feedback, they will typically select two members of the SMRC with appropriate expertise to review the statistical aspects of the manuscript. The Chair and SMRC reviewers can discuss with one another and come to a consensus agreement, if necessary, prior to responding to the request. If the manuscript is under review in PRPER, the SMRC report will be sent to the authors. If the SMRC believes that the statistical methods are not appropriate for the study, the manuscript may be returned to the authors without further review.
The inaugural committee members are listed below. Each will serve a three-year term with the possibility of renewal.
Chair:
Tim Stelzer, University of Illinois
Editorial Advisors:
Eric Brewe, Drexel University
Andrew Heckler, The Ohio State University
Rachel Henderson, Michigan State University
Natasha Holmes, Cornell University
Eric Kuo, University of Illinois
Charles Henderson
Lead Editor
Published 22 November 2022
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.18.020001