ResearchGate is like a Facebook for researchers. We post our research articles and get stats on how many views they get. I signed up for it at the electronic invitation of one of my former colleagues at the University of Washington. It’s my last gasp at being a researcher, really. Well, that’s an overstatement. I am still asked to be a peer reviewer for journal submissions. I am asked frequently by a quite prestigious journal. I would be pleased but I am mostly asked to review articles that are not really suited to the journal. (That’s not code word for “bad articles”, by the way. Each journal has a niche and some submitted articles do not fit that niche. They tend to be lower priority articles and perhaps even ones an editor might ask someone who has not been an active researcher since 2007 to review. Be reassured, however, that I don’t agree to be a reviewer unless I think I can do a good job.)

Another feature of ResearchGate are periodic suggestions of articles based on one’s interests. Today’s suggestion arrived in an email. “Elizabeth, we’ve hand-picked some suggestions for you.” The suggestion was “Altitude acclimatization improves submaximal cognitive performance in mice, and improves an imbalance in the cholinergic system.”

First, I am very happy for these mice. If memory serves, one of the functions of the cholinergic system is to support memory functioning. Mine has been a bit on the fuzzy side throughout the stress of cancer treatment. Not to mention the fact that altitude sickness is no fun. (What are they doing with those mice, anyway? Having them scamper through the Alps decked out in lederhosen?) Finally, while it is true that psychology is quite broad and there are psychologists who probably do work in this area. However, here are a couple of examples of my publications:

Skinner, M. L, MacKenzie, E. P., Haggerty, K. P., Hill, K. G., & Roberson, K. C. (2011). Observed parenting behavior with teens: Measurement invariance and predictive validity across race. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 17, 252-260.
Haggerty, K.P., Skinner, M.L., MacKenzie, E.P., Harachi, T.W., & Catalano, R.F. (2007). A randomized trial of Parents Who Care: Effects on key outcomes at 24-month follow-up. Prevention Science, 8, 249-260.

MacKenzie, E. P. Improving treatment outcome for Oppositional Defiant Disorder in young children (2007). Journal of Early and Intensive Behavioral Intervention.

Haggerty, K.P., MacKenzie, E.P., Skinner, M.L., Harachi, T., & Catalano, R. (2006). Participation in Parents Who Care: Preventing youth substance abuse. Journal of Primary Prevention, 27, 47-65.

Hmm. I wonder what they will suggest next?