A community advancing the methods empirical research depends on.
Founded in Frankfurt in 2004, EAM brings together methodologists from the behavioural, social, educational, health and economic sciences to advance the tools that empirical research depends on.
Who We Are
The European Association of Methodology (EAM) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement and promotion of empirical research methods across the behavioral, social, educational, health, and economic sciences. Beyond the development and validation of research methods, we serve as a primary hub for researchers, academics, and practitioners, who are committed to rigorous scientific inquiry, with a strong emphasis on data quality, the appropriate selection and implementation of methods given their assumptions and requirements, and the sound interpretation of results.
By bringing together experts in research methods across different fields, we foster a unique environment where diverse perspectives contribute to the refinement and enrichment of measurement theories and procedures, statistical tools, experimental designs, and qualitative frameworks. This collaborative spirit allows us to address complex research challenges that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.
As a European-based organization, we provide a coordinated platform for European scientists to exchange ideas, share innovative practices, and develop international standards for research. We believe that, by promoting methodological thinking, EAM contributes to enhancing the quality of substantive research not only in academia but also in politics and public administration.
At its heart, the EAM is a community of scholars, where we prioritize the professional development of our members by facilitating mentorship, supporting national methodological groups, and providing resources for both teaching and research. Whether through our biennial conferences or our peer-reviewed publications, we strive to be the leading voice for methodological excellence, ensuring that the next generation of researchers is equipped with the best possible tools for scientific discovery.
The founding meeting took place on February 27, 2004, in Frankfurt/Main (Germany), and was attended by researchers and methodologists from eight European countries and four disciplines (Psychology, Sociology, Economics, and Education). The first conference was held on July 17–22, 2004, in Jena (Germany), as a joint conference with the Society for Multivariate Analysis in the Behavioural Sciences (SMABS). Since then, the EAM has organized a biennial congress, interrupted only in 2020 due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2005, the official journal of the EAM, Methodology: European Journal of Research Methods for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, was launched. From its inception in 2005 until 2019, Methodology was published by the Hogrefe Publishing House as a subscription-based journal. Since 2020, the journal has been published as an open-access outlet in cooperation with the PsychOpen GOLD publishing platform of the Leibniz Institute for Psychology (ZPID) and is free of charge for both readers and authors.
Over the years, the number of members from non-European countries has increased, and, in addition to its two core activities -the congress and the journal- the EAM has progressively expanded its portfolio of activities to include methodological workshops and training events, mobility and research grants, and awards recognizing scientific excellence and contributions to methodological research, thereby further supporting the development of the methodological community across Europe and beyond.
History
The initiative to found a European Association of Methodology was originated by the Methods Group of the German Society of Psychology and the Spanish Association of Methodology “Asociación Española de Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento (AEMCCO)”, and was later joined by the Methods Section of the German Society of Sociology. The idea was further embraced by the organizational meeting of the Conference of the Society for Multivariate Analysis in the Behavioural Sciences (SMABS) in Tilburg, and by many individual colleagues from other European countries.
Our Mission: Advancing Research Methodology in Europe
Multidisciplinary Methodological Exchange and Integration
EAM fosters collaboration and methodological exchange across the behavioural, social, educational, health, and economic sciences, as well as evaluation research to address shared methodological challenges and support integrative research approaches
EAM is currently developing a framework for special interest groups. Information on how to propose and join EAM interest groups will be announced to all members
Open Science, Inclusion, and Transparency
EAM promotes open and inclusive research practices through its open-access journal, the use of open-source statistical software, and the dissemination of freely available resources.
EAM fosters replicability and transparency in scientific studies to ensure the highest level of research integrity
Rigorous and Advanced Methodological Research
EAM supports the development of innovative research methods, advanced statistical modelling of complex phenomena, the construction and validation of standardized measurement instruments, and the integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches, among others.
From Methodology to Applied Research Practice
EAM is committed to transferring methodological and statistical best practices to applied researchers through training and other initiatives, such as the Methods and Applications Synergy Taskforce.
EAM aims to ensure that advanced methods are used rigorously and appropriately in substantive research, thereby supporting evidence-based policymaking.
Scope of Activities
The EAM serves to promote research and development of empirical research methods in the fields of the Behavioural, Social, Educational, Health and Economic Sciences as well as in Evaluation Research, especially by:
EAM structure and governance
The highest body in EAM is the General Assembly. It decides on the general policy and approves the budget of the association. Every two years, it also elects the Executive Committee. The statutes that guide the EAM governance and functioning are available to read in the members-only section.
Executive Committee
Prof. Dr. Ana Hernández Baeza
President (University of Valencia, Spain)
Prof. Dr. Tobias Koch
Vice-President (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany)
Prof. Dr. Georgina Guilera
General Secretary (University of Barcelona, Spain)
Prof. Dr. José A. López-López
Deputy General Secretary (Universidad de Murcia, Spain)
Dr. Sonja Hahn
Treasurer (DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Germany)
Prof. Dr. Axel Mayer
Member (Bielefeld University, Germany)
Prof. Dr. Isabel Benítez Baena
Member (University of Granada, Spain)
Prof. Dr. Susana Sanduvete Chaves
Member (University of Sevilla, Spain)
Prof. Dr. Andreea Corbeanu
Member (University of Limerick, Ireland)
Dr. Rosabelle Chedid
Member (Lebanese American University, Lebanon)
Advisory Board
Given its outstanding contributions to methodology and its longstanding experience in EAM management, it provides scientific and strategic advice to support the EAM’s mission.
– Prof. Emeritus Dr. Rolf Steyer (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany)
– Prof. Dr. José Muñiz (Nebrija University, Spain)
– Prof. Emeritus Dr. Tamás Rudas (Eötvös Loránd University Budapest, Hungary)
Honorary Members
Recognized for outstanding and sustained contributions to methodology.
- Prof. Dr. Karl Gustav Jöreskog (Uppsala University, Sweden)
- Prof. Dr. Donald B. Rubin (Harvard University, USA)
- Prof. Dr. Ronald Hambleton † (University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA)
- Prof. Dr. Jacques Hagenaars † (Tilburg University, The Netherlands)
- Prof. Dr. Sophia Rabe-Hesketh (University of California, Berkeley, USA)
Participate and Collaborate
The European Association of Methodology thrives on the active participation and collaboration of its members and partners. We invite researchers, institutions, and methodological enthusiasts to engage with our community by contributing to our journals, presenting at our conferences, or joining our specialized committees or groups of interest. By working with us, you become part of a prestigious network dedicated to setting the methodological standards for scientific rigor in Europe and beyond.