ICD values, supports, and promotes diversity of samples, researchers, and methods

Like most areas of psychology, developmental psychology has predominantly relied on samples and researchers from U.S. and Western Europe, and within those regions, primarily on White samples and researchers. At ICD, we are acutely aware of the need for both international and domestic diversity in our work. Our commitment to diversity is manifest with the journal in two ways: 1) there is no “default” population. All samples should be described in as much detail as possible, including information about nationality, race/ethnicity, gender, social class, and any other relevant details that will help understand sample composition. All arguments and conclusions should be made with consideration for the sample characteristics. 2) No article will be rejected solely due to the nationality or race/ethnicity of the sample or the authorship team. Of course, the sample must always be appropriate for the research questions, but there has been a long history of work being rejected from mainstream outlets due to its focus on under-represented populations. Such an approach is contra the goals of science and must stop.

Similarly, for too long psychology, including developmental psychology, has treated quantitative methods as the superior form of inquiry, actively denigrating qualitative and mixed methods approaches. ICD feels strongly that methodological pluralism and openness is a hallmark of science, and that empirical research should be evaluated on the degree to which study design rigorously addresses the research question. Thus, the journal welcomes all methods that meet this criterion, whatever they may be.

Read the full Editorial by Editor Moin Syed.