Research Methods in Clinical
Psychology
Carolyn R. Fallahi, Ph. D.
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Why do research?
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We can avoid speculation.
Is a particular technique really effective?
Research also helps us extend and modify
our theories.
Example of Beck’s theory of depression.
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Methods
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Observation versus unsystematic observation
Unsystematic Observation
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Naturalistic Observation
Case Studies
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The Case of Dora
The Case of Little Hans
The Three Faces of Eve
The Mask of Sanity
Cases in Behavior Modification
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Epidemiological Research
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The study of the:
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incidence
prevalence
distribution of illness or disease in a given
population.
Mostly done with surveys and interviews.
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Potential Problems with Survey Data
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How do we define mental illness?
How do we locate these cases?
How do we handle less serious forms of the
illness?
Sampling issues.
Issues of social desirability.
(Henry, Moffitt, Caspi, Langley, & Silva, 1994)
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The latest in Epidemiological Studies that
are methodologically sound.
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Kessler et al (1994)
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Obtain estimates of the 12 month and lifetime
prevalence of a number of mental disorders.
Gender differences.
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Correlational Methods
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Are particular patient characteristics related
to therapy outcomes?
What is correlation?
The issue of causality.
Factor Analysis
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Cross-sectional versus Longitudinal
Approaches
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Cross-sectional
Longitudinal
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Experimental Method
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Cause and effect relationships
Langer & Rodin (1976) study
The issue of matching.
Experimental hypothesis.
Independent & Dependent Variables.
Controlling for extraneous variables.
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Between versus Within Group Designs
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Between: 1 group receives the treatment; the
other does not.
Random Assignment.
Within group: comparisons might be made
on the same patient at different points in time.
Example.
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Analog Research
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The question: are studies in the laboratory
analogous to real life?
The benefits of analog research.
For example: constructing the way they think
phobias occur.
Almost all experimental studies are analog
studies.
Issue: ethical restraints.
Other benefits: better internal validity.
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Single-case design
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Similar to both experimental and case study
methods.
A subject’s behavior is measured under
several conditions.
Baseline – measure – intervention –
measure.
Positive use – in the clinical setting & reduces
the numbers needed.
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ABAB Design
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A=initial baseline period
B=treatment period
A=return to the baseline
B=second treatment period.
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Multiple Baseline Designs
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Example of a baseline design.
Ethical issues.
Moras, Telfer, & Barlow (1993)
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Mixed Design
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Experimental & correlational techniques are
sometimes combined.
Davidson et al (2004).
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Statistical Significance
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Statistical versus practical significance.
.05 is a scientific tradition.
Significant but meaningful?
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Ethics in Research
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Approval by the IRB.
Informed consent.
Use of deception.
The issues of inducements.
Publishing issues.
Informing research participants about how
the data will be used.
Animal use.
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