Rising Above Cognitive Errors--how to order

JOANN MOODY (PhD,JD) Consults with Campuses & Professional Schools

Rising Above Cognitive Errors--how to order

This 44-page booklet is widely used by academic departments, faculty developers, ADVANCE campus programs, diversity councils and officers, professional schools, and government labs and institutes.

RISING ABOVE COGNITIVE ERRORS: GUIDELINES FOR SEARCH, TENURE REVIEW, AND OTHER EVALUATION COMMITTEES

Written by JoAnn Moody, PhD, JD National Specialist in Faculty Development

and Diversity Booklet released 2005. Revised 2007.

Part I of the monograph focuses on: 15 typical cognitive errors and shortcuts unwittingly made by individuals engaged in evaluation processes, such as

*longing to clone,

*seizing a pretext,

*unintended biases and stereotyping,

*pre-mature ranking.

The first section also discusses six common dysfunctions within academic organizations that exacerbate the intensity of the cognitive errors. These dysfunctions include:

*overloading and rushing an evaluation committee;

*failing to coach and practice the committee before it begins its work;

*no checklists and checks-and-balances;

*no accountability within the committee process and no accountability for results.

Part II outlines 14 ways to rise above the cognitive errors as well as remedy the organizational dysfunctions. These steps include:

*careful coaching and practicing of an evaluation committee so that members can name and then rise above typical cognitive biases and errors;

*using a matrix or other device to help keep evaluators focused on the criteria agreed on;

*insistence on "show me the evidence" rather than accepting opinions and personal assumptions from committee members;

*a non-voting or voting "process person" within the committee to help the committee chair keep members on track.

Part III provides five Discussion Scenarios (mini case studies) that individuals, committees, and entire departments can use for practice, analysis, and honing their skills.

Note from the Author: This booklet draws on insights and strategies arising from my long-standing consulting practice. The publication also draws on insights from cognitive scientists, brain-imaging experts, behavioral economists, organizational psychologists, and medical leaders (such as Jerome Groopman who in his book How Doctors Think outlines several "predictable and preventable" cognitive shortcuts that often mar medical diagnoses).

Comments about "Rising Above Cognitive Errors: Guidelines for Search, Tenure Review, and other Evaluation Committees":

I readily understand why professional schools, universities, and colleges would distribute hundreds of copies of this outstanding booklet and then organize follow-up discussions with various committees and leaders----just as the Provost's Office at the University of Florida has done.

Debra Walker King, Associate Provost for Faculty Development, University of Florida

Dr. Moody's work is of enormous practical benefit for any academic organization. She provides a catalog of cognitive errors that can inadvertently sabotage our various personnel processes and gives the practical tools to minimize them. Terry King, Provost of Ball State University and former Dean of Engineering, Kansas State University

Academic committees, located at community colleges, research universities, and elsewhere, should consult this monograph on a regular basis. Kyrsis Rodriguez, Professor of Science, Roxbury Community College

Drawing on her extensive consulting and leadership experience, JoAnn Moody has written an indispensable and succinct handbook. I hope this publication gets very serious attention and wide distribution. Sheila Browne, Professor of Chemistry, Mt. Holyoke College

HOW TO ORDER.

Email the following info to joann.moody@earthlink.net

1. Your Name and Title

2. Your Department and Institution

3. Your Mailing Address (include building, street, etc.)

4. Your Phone and Email

5. Number of Copies you are ordering

Cost of "Rising Above Cognitive Errors": $9 each. $8 each for orders over 25. Plus modest charge for handling and shipping. Invoice will be enclosed with the shipment. Payment will be due within 30 days. Sorry, no credit cards.