Frequently-Asked-Question List   

1.     What are the questions in the online Enrollment Questionnaire?
Point your browser to the following address to access and review it
 (http://www.siop.org/SIOPLocator/Front.asp)  

2.     What do you mean by the terms, visitor, user, participant, and provider.
Visitor and User refer to persons who use the Consultant Locator System to find consultants and organizations with expertise in a given area of interest.  Consultants and organizations are participating in the service by being available to provide services to users.  

3.     Will users be able to contact me directly from the Consultant Locator System via e-mail or link to my Web site?
Yes, the Locator System will provide lists of service providers for visitors containing complete contact information including telephone numbers,  email addresses and Web site URLs. 

4.     Do you have to have a license to enroll in the Consultant Locator System?
No, the only requirement is to be a full SIOP Member or Fellow in good standing. 

5.     Do you have to have a PhD to enroll in the Consultant Locator System?
No.  You must be a full Member or Fellow of SIOP, which means you must have some type of doctorate degree with substantial education and experience related to I-O psychology. 

6.     Do you have to have a PhD in I/O psychology to enroll in the Consultant Locator System?
No.  You must be a full Member or Fellow of SIOP, which means you must have some type of doctorate degree with substantial education and experience related to I-O psychology. 

7.     What about associate members and foreign affiliates?
Initially, the Consultant Locator Service will include SIOP Members and Fellows only.  Based on inquiries to date, we believe the depth and breadth of their education and experience is more likely to match the needs of users seeking professional assistance.    

8.     Do I have to be a Member of SIOP to register my consulting firm?
Your firm must employ at least one full Member or Fellow of SIOP as a principal, officer, or executive of the firm. 

9.     Can members of the American Psychological Association, American Psychological Society, or Canadian Psychological Association enroll in the Consultant Locator System?
Yes, if they are also full Members or Fellows of SIOP. 

10.  Can providers living outside the U.S. enroll in the Consultant Locator System?
Yes.   All full Members and Fellows of SIOP can register regardless of their geographic locations. Foreign Affiliate Members are not eligible, even if they reside in the United States. 

11.   Is SIOP sanctioning or endorsing providers who enroll in the Consultant Locator System?
No, the purpose of the Consultant Locator System is to enable visitors to identify individuals, and/or firms that have individuals, who are Members in current good standing of the Society, and who have self-reported capabilities which may be of interest.  The Consultant Locator System is merely a device for information exchange.  Visitors will see a brief notice informing them that SIOP does not offer warranties or guarantees before they activate the Consultant Locator System.  See below:

The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) offers no warranties or guarantees regarding the expertise or experience of any consultant or consulting organization listed here.  Nevertheless, you can be sure, that any individual or firm listed in the Locator System is, or has principals, officers, and/or executives who are, in good standing with SIOP with respect to its stated values, guidelines, and ethical principles.  SIOP is a division of the American Psychological Association and an organizational affiliate the American Psychological Society.  While individuals who are not in good standing with SIOP will be removed from the system, it is the responsibility of every individual to verify any consultant's or firm's claims before contracting for the delivery of services. 

12.  Does SIOP have any liability for the actions of members or fellows listed by the Consultant Locator System?
No, the Consultant Locator System in no way confirms or endorses the capabilities of the service providers it includes.  The Consultant Locator System merely allows visitors to identify individuals, and/or firms that have individuals, who are full Members or Fellows in current good standing with the Society, and who have self-reported capabilities which may be of interest.  The Consultant Locator System is merely a device for information exchange.  Visitors will see a brief notice informing them that SIOP does not offer warranties or guarantees before they activate the Consultant Locator System.   See below: 

The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) offers no warranties or guarantees regarding the expertise or experience of any consultant or consulting organization listed here.  Nevertheless, you can be sure, that any individual or firm listed in the Locator System is, or has principals, officers, and/or executives who are, in good standing with SIOP with respect to its stated values, guidelines, and ethical principles.  SIOP is a division of the American Psychological Association.  While individuals who are not in good standing with SIOP will be removed from the system, it is the responsibility of every individual to verify any consultant's or firm's claims before contracting for the delivery of services. 

13.  What can I do if I discover a Member or Fellow is claiming to have expertise that I know is fraudulent or wrong?
In keeping with professional ethical guidelines, individuals should contact the American Psychological Association for guidance in instances of suspected fraud or other possible ethical issues. 

14.  Can members who have been sanctioned or reprimanded for ethical violations enroll in the Consultant Locator System?
Yes, any individual who is currently permitted to be a full Member of Fellow of SIOP in good standing may enroll in the Consultant Locator System. 

15.  Can I temporarily suspend my enrollment or participation in the system while I am on vacation, leave, or sabbatical?
No, unfortunately the SIOP Administrative Office does not have the capability to inactivate and reactivate participation in the Consultant Locator System.   Until that capability is available, participants will have to communicate their availability to prospective clients on a case-by-case basis as long as they are enrolled in the system. 

16.  Can I change my enrollment information anytime I want?
The SIOP Administrative Office staff will receive requests for changes and make modifications to the System on an ongoing basis. 

17.  How will the Consultant Locator System be promoted?  Which search engines will link to the site?
The Professional Practice Committee will seek to register the Consultant Locator System with Yahoo, Northern Light, Excite, Lycos, Google, HotBot, and AltaVista.  Direct communication and promotional material will also be targeted to officers of allied professional associations such as the American Management Association, Society for Human Resource Management, and the American Society for Training and Development to convey awareness of the Consultant Locator System and the Society. 

18.  Will I get a receipt for my registration fees?
An acknowledgement will be sent to you by email. 

19.  Can I avoid communicating my credit card number on-line?
The SIOP Administrative Office has limited capabilities to conduct transactions involving checks at this time, so use of credit cards is strongly encouraged.  The Web address for registration is a secure Web site to ensure the confidentiality of personal information. But, if you cannot use the web, you may telephone the SIOP Administrative Office and ask a member of the staff to assist you.  If use of a check is required or necessary, send a business check with your full name, address, telephone number, and email address to:  SIOP Administrative Office, 440 East Poe Rd, Ste 101, Bowling Green, OH  43402; 419-353-0032.  After verification, you will be provided the information you will need to enroll in the Consultant Locator System. 

20.  Is it really safe to pay the registration fees by credit card online?
All transactions at the registration site are handled on a secure Web site and information is encrypted using the highest currently available technology during transmission from your ISP to the SIOP site.  This prevents anyone from being able to view your information while in transit between sites. 

21.  Will the Consultant Locator System ever be shut down for maintenance, updates, or changes?
There are no anticipated plans to shut down the system for any reason.  It should remain available 24/7/365.  We do anticipate enhancing and refining the system based on feedback and continuing innovations, but those changes will likely occur without any disruptions of service.  However, storms, disasters, or our Internet service provider can potentially take the System down for brief times without our being aware of it. 

22.  Can I get my money back if no one calls me?
Sorry, but no.  As is the case in most start-ups, participants should not expect a raft of activity in the early stages of growth.  At the same time, participants should regard responses (or lack of responses) by users as valuable feedback that may be worth the price of registration. 

23.  Do I have to pay SIOP referral fees for business I get from the Consultant Locator System?
No, your registration fee is all that is required. 

24.  Do I have to pay the same fees every year to be in the system?
Yes, SIOP will continue to invest considerable time and resources to enhance the system for the benefit of users and participants. 

25.  When and how will I renew my registration?
Notices will be provided in advance of each participant╝s anniversary date of enrollment. 

26.  Can I get a discount if I have to pay for several individuals?
No, volume discounts are not available at this time. 

27.  How do I report problems with Consultant Locator System?
Simply send an e-mail to the SIOP Administrative Office (siop@siop.org) that describes the nature of the problems.  A representative will contact you as soon as possible to respond to your notification. 

28.  How long will it take to "go-live" after I register?  When will my information show up in the system after I enroll?
New registrants will be on the system within 24 hours. 

29.  Is this system intended just for consulting psychologists (practitioners)?  Why should scientists and academics enroll if they are not doing much, if any, consulting?
This system is intended to be a service to anyone seeking help from the Society.  The system actually has two tracks:  one locator track provides diagnostic aids for professionals; the other track provides diagnostic aids for ôlay users.  Our fellow members often require advice, ôsecond opinions, some form of collaboration, and even instruction.  The types of support professionals may need should span a variety of the more scientific issues such as confirmatory factor analyses, item response theory, or quasi-experimental design.  For SIOP's scientists and academically oriented members and fellows, the Consultant Locator System provides a means to be engaged with others, to share ideas, and to aid the Society and other ôhelping professions. 

30.  Is the Consultant Locator System more advantageous for large consulting organizations?  Why should a small consulting firm or someone running a sole proprietorship enroll?
The system enables sole practitioners and small firms to convey information about capabilities to prospective clients the same way the large firms do, and as such, it puts all types of providers on equal standing.  Any advantages that occur will likely stem from the preferences or biases of the users on a case-by-case basis (e.g., some users will prefer to work with large, established, branded companies, all other things being equal). 

31.  What if the Consultant Locator System does not list my area of practice or expertise?
SIOP will continuously investigate ways to improve the quality of operation and effectiveness of the Consultant Locator System.  Contact the SIOP Administrative Office (siop@siop.org) to share ideas or input to enhance the system.  

32.  Can the Consultant Locator System be accessed only through the SIOP Web site?  Can people call SIOP to get a list of providers?
The Consultant Locator System can only be accessed directly via the SIOP Web site.  However, the staff at the SIOP Administrative Office in Bowling Green, Ohio (419-353-0032; fax: 419-352-2645) have always responded to requests for assistance in finding a consultant.   SIOP staff members can use the Consultant Locator System from the Administrative Office on behalf of a limited number of callers who cannot access the system themselves.  Simply call the Administrative Office and ask for help. 

33.  Will users have to sign up or get passwords to use the Consultant Locator System?
No, users can anonymously access and use the Consultant Locator System at any time, and as many times as they like, without any bothersome registration requirements or any cost. 

34.  Will the Consultant Locator System leave cookies?
No, the Consultant Locator System is not designed to leave any vestiges of use on any visitor's system.  

35.  Will users be required to submit information about themselves to access and use the Consultant Locator System?
No, the system will be available to anyone seeking information on qualified providers of various services.  The system will not ask users to submit any identifying information;  no information of any kind will be collected about users without their knowledge and consent. 

36.  Will user information appear on mailing lists of any kind?
No, the system will not ask users to submit any identifying information; no information of any kind will be collected about users without their knowledge and consent, and therefore, no data will be available to develop mailing lists. 

37.  Will SIOP be tracking outcomes to see how satisfied users and SIOP members are with the system?
Yes, SIOP will periodically post short user feedback surveys on the Consultant Locator System Web page to enable users to provide feedback about the Consultant Locator System. The Administrative Office will also be getting feedback from callers. 

38.  Will SIOP track and report usage of the Consultant Locator System?
Yes, SIOP is developing capabilities to track selections in the aggregate in an ongoing effort to understand organizational trends (e.g., percentage of users seeking help with selection issues). 

Can sole proprietorships and partnerships list their businesses?
Yes, but only one firm per SIOP member.