A Fragmented Field: Construct and Measure Proliferation in Psychology

Anvari, Farid; Alsalti, Taym; Oehler, Lorenz A.; Marion, Zach; Hussey, Ian; Elson, Malte; Arslan, Ruben C.

doi:10.48620/96833

A Fragmented Field: Construct and Measure Proliferation in Psychology

DOI

10.48620/96833

Publisher DOI

10.1177/25152459251360642

Abstract

We examined the extent to which constructs and measures have proliferated in psychological science. We integrated two large databases obtained from the American Psychology Association that have been used to keep track of constructs, measures, and research in the psychological-science literature for the past 30 years. In our descriptive analyses, we found that (a) thousands of new constructs and measures are published each year, (b) most measures are used very few times, and (c) there is no trend toward consensus or standardization in the use of constructs and measures; in fact, there is a trend toward even greater fragmentation over time. That is, constructs and measures are proliferating. We conclude that measurement in the psychological-science literature is fragmented, creating problems such as redundancy and confusion and stifling cumulative scientific progress. We conclude by providing suggestions for what researchers can do about this problem.

Date Issued

2025-07

Publication Type

Article

Language(s)

en

Author(s)

Anvari, Farid
Alsalti, Taym
Oehler, Lorenz A.
Marion, Zach
Hussey, Ian	Institute of Psychology, Psychology of Digitalization
Elson, Malte	Institute of Psychology, Psychology of Digitalization
	Institute of Psychology
Arslan, Ruben C.

Additional Credits

Institute of Psychology

Institute of Psychology, Psychology of Digitalization

Journal

Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science

Publisher

SAGE Publications

ISSN

2515-2459

2515-2467

Access(Rights)

open.access

Show full item