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Psychological Therapies Research Methods

Module description

This module provides you with an overview of current methods in psychological therapies and clinical research through lectures, seminars, student presentations, directed reading and web-based seminars. You will learn about the research basis for evidence- based practice and qualitative clinical research methods relevant to psychological therapies. You will be helped to understand research findings and the strengths and weaknesses of various kinds of research methods.  An adult learner model will be the basis for the learning as programme members work individually and in small groups with key texts and reading lists as well as whole group discussion and application.

This module takes place in Year One

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to provide you with:

• a critical and comprehensive survey of research methodologies applied to the understanding and application of systemic psychotherapy.
• the ability to identify resources to further you learning in a way that is appropriate to your work as evidence-based psychological therapists.
• the skills to evaluate critically psychological therapies research.
• the ability to use clinical research as part of your professional work as psychological therapists.
• the skills to develop a thoughtful, ethical and responsible consumption and application of research in clinical practice.
• Develop your reflexivity with regard to your approach to research

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe the principal clinical research methodologies and their applications and critically evaluate their use
• 2. Apply the process of psychological therapies research (e.g. generating research questions, designing studies, dissemination etc.)
• 3. Critically evaluate the effects of power in the research process, socio-cultural diversity and application to diverse groups

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Access and critically evaluate research relevant to your professional work
• 5. Use research to solve problems, including the key paradigms and principles of psychological therapies research
• 6. Use a reflective, ethical and professional framework for your research work

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Communicate and disseminate research material in a clear and engaging way, relevant to a range of audiences
• 8. Link the psychological therapies evidence base to personal and professional practice and self reflexivity
• 9. Communicate effectively about your own evidence-based practice to a group of peers

Syllabus plan

The syllabus will include the following key areas:

• Evidence-based practice: definitions; accessing and using the evidence base by means of systematic review.
• Evaluating Psychological Interventions: single case designs, principal methodologies of process and outcome research in psychotherapy: randomised controlled trials, investigating moderators and mediators.
• Fundamentals of clinical research: from generating questions to disseminating research.
• Professional and ethical practice: power and collaboration in research
• Communication of research to diverse audiences

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

One assessment is required for this module. In all cases re-assessment will be the same as the original assessment. Where you have been referred/deferred for any form of assessment detailed above you will have the opportunity to retake within four weeks from the date that feedback was provided.

If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of deferral, your re-assessment will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment and the overall module mark will not be capped.

If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), the overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

If you fail re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), you will be failed in the module and as a consequence you will be failed in the programme and your registration as a student of the University will be terminated.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Bryman, A. (2012) Social research methods (4^th ed). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Clark-Carter, D. (1997) Doing quantitative psychological research: From design to report. Hove, East Sussex: Psychology Press.
• Harper, D. and Thompson, A.R. (eds) (2012), Qualitative research methods in mental health and psychotherapy: a guide for students and practitioners. Chichester. Wiley.
• Kazdin, A. E. (2003) Methodological issues and strategies in clinical research. (3rd ed.) Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
• Roth, A. and Fonagy, P. (2005) What works for whom: A critical review of psychotherapy research. New York: Guilford Press.
• Wampold, B. E. (2007) The Great Psychotherapy Debate New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum.

General Introductions to Systemically orientated research: qualitative texts

Dallos, R and Vetere, A (2005) Researching psychotherapy and counselling. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Morse, J.M. and Richards, L (2002) Readme First for a user’s guide to qualitative methods. London: Sage.

Carberry, K. and Brooks-Gordon, B. (2020) ‘Black therapists-white families: therapists’ perceptions of cultural competence in clinical practice’. In Majors, K; Carberry, K and Ransaw, T.S. (eds) The international handbook of black community mental health. Emerald Publishing: Bingley. Pp 379-404. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83909-964-9202010-25

Simon, G. and Chard, A (Eds) (2014) Systemic inquiry: innovations in reflexive practice research. UK: Everything is connected Press.

Key words search

Research, clinical practice, psychological therapies, method, methodology, evidence base