Methodological innovation in big-fish-little-pond effect research : methodological-substantive synergy at work

In arguing for the value of methodological substantive synergies, Marsh and Hau (2007) noted that research in the methodology was often at its best when tasked with finding solutions to substantive theoretical questions. New methodologies, they argued, can also stimulate new substantive research questions and provide better approaches to current ones. In this chapter we illustrate the value of espousing a methodological-substantive synergy by tracing developments in a big-fish-little pond effect (BFLPE) research. We set the scene by describing the BFLPE paradigm and highlighting the educational importance of its predictions, and continue by outlining measurement issues pertaining to the BFLPE and the ways in which methodology used to test for the BFLPE for almost 50 years has changed and progressed to take advantage of advances in statistical methodology.