What is the WORC Group?
We are a group of graduate students and faculty supervisors from the University of Waterloo industrial-organizational psychology program. The WORC group carries out applied consulting projects for various organizations in our community. These projects serve as an integral part of the students’ training as industrial-organizational psychologists, as well as providing organizations access to consulting services at completive (and often pro bono) rates.
What is industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology?
Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology is a scientific discipline dedicated to the study of psychological processes in the workplace. I-O psychologists ascribe to the scientist-practitioner model, which is characterized by the use of the scientific method to address the needs of employees, organizations, and other stakeholders. Specifically, the knowledge disseminated by I-O psychologists, as well as advice provided to specific organizations, is derived from the careful and systematic collection and analysis of data, rather than relying on lay theories, anecdotes, or idiosyncratic experiences. In other words, I-O psychology takes a data-driven approach to identifying ways to ensure individuals are satisfied, safe, and productive at work.