A Brief History of SIG-SRE


In the mid-1970s, Jack Anderson and Doug Berdie, then professors at the University of Minnesota, noticed an increasing number of survey research studies in the world of academe and an equally increasing number of survey research-related presentations at the AERA annual meetings. Most such projects and presentations, however, dealt with the findings of the survey studies; very few, if any, dealt with issues of survey methodology. In an effort to provide a forum in which survey research methodological issues could be presented, studied, and discussed, they formed the AERA Survey Research in Education SIG. The SIG was technically formed in 1976. The first paper presentation sponsored by the SIG was given in 1978 by Jack Anderson and Doug Berdie. The title of the presentation was: Survey Research: Where Do We Go from Here?

As with the formation of most AERA SIGs, the startup efforts were burdensome and fell, primarily, to the two of them--Anderson and Berdie. For the first several years, these two "pioneers" held and juggled all of the SIG offices and attending responsibilities between them.

Another problem they faced in the beginning days of the SIG was that of having enough presentations (e.g., papers, posters, etc.) to fill their allotted number of sessions. The two remember designing symposia or panel sessions and then themselves providing the papers or programs for want of other presenters. In order to drum up interest in the SIG, and, thus, increase membership and participation, they developed and delivered AERA pre- and post-conference workshops and mini-courses on the topic of survey research methodology; during these sessions they advised attendees of the SIG and the many membership benefits.

The SIG membership gradually grew, and new members became interested in providing the energy and time necessary to see it thrive. In the early 1980s there were enough individuals willing to be active members that no one individual had to hold more than one office. In addition, a SIG newsletter editor position was created to meet the need for a formal method of communication among the SIG members.

The growth of the SIG and changes within it across time have been exciting and challenging to its many members. A review of the SIG offices and individuals serving in those roles since its inception will provide readers with an idea of the commitment to and affection for the SIG felt by it's members.


Those Who Carried the SIG-SRE Torch ...

2007-2008
Chair: Steve Siera
Program Chair: Richard Lambert
Business Secretary: Kelly Bradley
Newsletter Editor: Randy McClanahan

2006-2007
Chair: Steve Siera
Program Chair: Richard Lambert
Business Secretary: Kelly Bradley
Newsletter Editor: Randy McClanahan


2005-2006
Chair: Gunapala Edirisooriya
Program Chair: Steve Siera
Business Secretary: Richard Lambert
Newsletter Editor: Randy McClanahan

2004-2005
Chair: Gunapala Edirisooriya
Program Chair: Steve Siera
Business Secretary: Richard Lambert
Newsletter Editor: Randy McClanahan

2003-2004
Chair: Lynda Idleman
Program Chair: James Griffith
Business Secretary: Richard Lambert
Newsletter Editor: Gail McLure

2002-2003
Chair: Lynda Idleman
Program Chair: James Griffith
Business Secretary: Richard Lambert
Newsletter Editor: Gail McLure


2001-2002
Chair: Gunapala Edirisooriya
Program Co-Chairs: Lynda Idleman & Richard Lambert
Business Secretary: James Griffith
Newsletter Editor: Gail McLure


2000-2001
Chair: Gunapala Edirisooriya
Program Co-Chairs: Lynda Idleman & Richard Lambert
Newsletter Editor: Anji Sun
Business Secretary: James Griffith

1999-2000
Chair: Gunapala Edirisooriya
Program Chair: Lynda Idleman
Newsletter Editor: Anji Sun
Business Secretary: James Griffith

1998-1999
Chair: Randy McClanahan
Program Chair: Gunapala Edirisooriya
Business Secretary: Lynda Idleman
Newsletter Editor: Anji Sun

1997-1998
Chair: Randy McClanahan
Program Chair: Gunapala Edirisooriya
Business Secretary: Lynda Idleman
Newsletter Editor: Tina McCoy

1996-1997
Chair: Steve Siera
Program Chair: Randy McClanahan
Business Secretary: Lynda Idleman
Newsletter Editor: Tina McCoy

1995-1996
Chair: Steve Siera
Program Chair: Randy McClanahan
Business Secratary: Marsha Niebuhr
Newsletter Editor: Tina McCoy

1994-1995
Chair: Chet McCall
Program Chair: Steve Siera
Business Secretary: Marsha Niebuhr
Newsletter Editor: Randy McClanahan

1993-1994
Chair: Chet McCall
Program Chair: Steve Siera
Business Secretary: Marsha Niebuhr
Newsletter Editor: Randy McClanahan

1992-1993
Chair: Kathy Green
Program Chair: Marc Braverman
Business Secretary: Susan Loomis
Newsletter Editor: Randy McClanahan

1991-1992
Chair Kathy Green:
Program Chair: Marc Braverman
Business Secretary: Randy McClanahan:
Newsletter Editor: Susan Loomis

1990-1991
Chair: Judy Boser
Program Chair: Kathy Greeen
Business Secretary: Randy McClanahan
Newsletter Editor: Janet Burnett

1989-1990
Chair: Judy Boser:
Program Chair: Kathy Green
Business Secretary: Randy McClanahan
Newsletter Editor: Nancy Greenberg

1988-1989
Chair: Sheldon Clark:
Program Chair: Judy Boser
Business Secretary: Suzanne Edgar
Newsletter Editor: Sylvia Brown

1987-1988
Chair: Sheldon Clark
Program Chair: Judy Boser
Business Secretary: Suzanne Edgar
Newsletter Editor: Sylvia Brown

1986-1987
Chair: Sylvia Brown
Program Chair: Sheldon Clark
Membership/Treasurer/Secretary: Judy Boser
Newsletter Editor: Chet McCall
Liaison to other organizations: Jennifer Franz

Book Review Editor: Eleanor Hall
By-Laws Committee Chair: Mary Lewis
(These unelected officers were listed as officers)

1985-1986
Chair: Sylvia Brown
Program Chair, Sheldon Clark
Treasurer/Secretary/Membership: Judy Boser
Newsletter Editor: Chet McCall
News & Reviews Editor, Jennifer Franz

1984-1985
Chair: Sylvia Brown
Program Chairs: Judy Boser and Sheldon Clark
Secretary Treasurer: Jennifer Franz
Newsletter Editors, Jane Furr & Todd Davis
News & Reviews Editor: Donna Mertens

1983-1984
Chair: Marsha Niebuhr
Secretary/Treasurer/Program Chairs: Jack Anderson & Doug Berdie
Newsletter Editor: Sylvia Brown
Liaison to Other Associations: Roger Riffer
News and Reviews Editor: Donna Mertens

1982-1983
Chair: Marsha Niebuhr
Secretary Jack Anderson
Treasurer, Doug Berrdie
Newsletter Editor: Sylvia Brown
Reviews Editor, Donna Mertens
Liaison to Other Associations: Roger Riffer

(This may have been about the time that AERA put a limit of
three consecutive years as chair of a SIG.)

1981-1982
Chairs: Jack Anderson & Doug Berdie
(Membership Dues were sent to Anderson & Berdie.)
Newsletter Editor: Sylvia Brown
Review Editor: Donna Mertens
Liaison to Other Associations: Roger Riffer

1980-1981
Newsletter Editor: Sylvia Brown
Reviews Editor: Donna Mertens
Liaison to Other Associations: Roger Riffer

(It seems that Anderson & Berdie were still chairs, but no
"official mention" in newsletters. Membership dues may also
have been sent to Anderson & Berdie.)

1979-1980
Chairs: Jack Anderson & Doug Berdie
Secretary/Treasurer: Marsha Niebuhr
Newsletter Editor: Bill Fraicy
Reviews Editor: Roger Riffer
Liaison to Other Associations: Dennis Leitner

(Donna Mertens was elected research coordinator to coordinate
research interests among SIG members. This idea, a very
important one indeed, seemed to have disapperaed in later
years.)

First SIG-SRE session was held in 1978. Officers elected
at that meeting for 1978-79 were:)

1978-1979
Co-Chairs: Jack Anderson & Doug Berdie
Secretary treasurer: JohnLAramy
Newsletter Editor: Bill Faricy
Reviews Editor: Roger Riffer

(Apparently, SIG-SRE Chairs served as Program Chairs in
the early days.)