Clinical Research Methodologies

Research Methods – Clinical Research Methods

In this course, Dr Cody Porter (University of the West of England) explores clinical research methods. In the first lecture, we think about some of the key methodologies used in clinical research, including observations, questionnaires and interviews. In the second lecture, we think about longitudinal research and the opportunities it provides in clinical psychology. In the third lecture, we think about cross sectional studies, with a focus on their strengths and limitations. Next, we think about how case studies differ from other methods used in clinical research. In the fifth and final lecture, we review some issues and debates found in the clinical psychology research field, including between holistic and reductionist approaches.

Clinical Research Methodologies

In this lecture, we think about some key methodologies used in clinical research, focusing in particular on: (i) defining clinical research methods as the development and assessment of treatments for disease and illness; (ii) understanding mental health as referring to mental health disorders in a clinical context; (iii) the DSM-5 and the ICD-10 as the primary sources for diagnostic criteria for mental disorders; (iv) the issue of comorbidity complicating potential diagnoses; (v) differentiating between controlled, naturalistic and participant observations; (vi) the function, benefits and drawbacks of using a questionnaire in research; (vii) the benefits and drawbacks of using interviews in research, when compared with a questionnaire; (viii) an exploration of the four types of interview, which are structured, semi-structured, unstructured and focus groups; (ix) Vallentine and colleagues’ 2010 study on detained offenders at Broadmoor Hospital to assess their experience at the institution; (x) Evans and colleagues’ CORE-OM clinical outcomes measure, which assesses the effectiveness of psychological therapies; (xi) Robertson and Simons’ 1989 self-concept questionnaire (SEQ); (xii) the key results, as well as an exploration of the strengths and limitations of Evans and colleagues’ 2002 study on the effectiveness of psychological therapies.