In the past several decades researchers in organizational behavior (including the
related fields of industrial and organizational psychology, vocational psychology,
occupational psychology, human resources management, and vocational psychology) have devoted a great deal of attention to the development and testing of
theories. Progress in such effort hinges on the use of research methods that
produce valid findings. Unless studies use appropriate measures, manipulations,
statistical tests, subjects, and so forth, inferences that stem from them are of little
or no value in theory building, theory testing, or the use of theory based
interventions to change individuals, groups, or organizations.