HP Editorial Statement

Frank Landy and Sheldon Zedeck conceptualized Human Performance (HP) as a journal designed to bring together researchers interested in human performance. Consistent with this vision, starting with the first issue of HP in 1988 and continuing to the present, HP has maintained a focus on human performance, a tradition that I plan to continue.

Manuscripts that focus on human performance at work, not just task performance but other dimensions of work performance, such as contextual performance and counterproductive work behaviors, are encouraged. The focus on human performance at work can be in the context of investigating employee selection, human resources planning, leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) interventions, performance management, training, or any other organizational activity with implications for employee performance. Manuscripts that focus on the study of human skilled behavior in organizational settings are also encouraged, ranging from problem solving, decision-making, human errors, accidents, to control of complex environments. Manuscripts focusing on the use of technology, including but not limited to AI, not only in the context of human resource functions but also in the broader context of employee performance at work, are also encouraged.

In my view, the research question should drive the role of theory in a manuscript, type of participants used to investigate the research question, the number of studies included, and the research design. At times, one well-designed study with adequate power is preferable to multiple smaller studies. Furthermore, in specific situations, in which the purpose of the study is to test a specific theory, a convenience sample may be appropriate. However, in other research, such as exploring the incremental validity of a new selection procedure, a convenience sample may not be appropriate. In my view the participant population in a study should be judged in terms of its appropriateness to the research question, which I believe should also be the case for the methodology. I view the role of theory the same way. In some research, such as incremental validity research, although some theoretical explanations regarding the relationship between constructs are needed, I think that theoretical explanations should play a lesser role than in more theory driven research. Researchers are encouraged to submit manuscripts representing the spectrum of purely theoretical research to applied research, that is, ranging from proposing a new theory, theory testing, to an applied contribution that has potential to change human resource practices in organizations, with an emphasis on understanding the underlying constructs of measures and interventions. Manuscripts will be evaluated based on their contribution to our understanding of human performance at work. Every effort will be made to render a decision whether the manuscript will be published, perhaps pending some additional revisions, after the first review.

Similar to Joyce Hogan in her 1995 editorial upon becoming editor of HP, I encourage risk taking manuscripts that do not conform to traditional research as currently defined. I have a deep respect for the researchers who have proceeded me as editors of HP and am very thankful for their efforts on behalf of HP. I hope to continue their tradition of publishing excellent research. I look forward to receiving your manuscripts and working for HP.