The Oxford Handbook Of Research Strategies For Clinical Psychology

The Oxford Handbook of Research Strategies for Clinical Psychology has recruited some of the field's foremost experts to explicate the essential research strategies currently used across the modern clinical psychology landscape that maximize both scientific rigor and clinical relevance.

Though psychology as a discipline has grown enormously in popularity in recent years, compulsory courses in research methods and statistics are seldom embarked upon with any great enthusiasm within the undergraduate and postgraduate communities. Many postgraduate and PhD students start theirresearch ill-equipped to design effective experiments and to properly analyse their results. This lack of knowledge also limits their ability to critically assess and evaluate research done by others. This book is a practical guide to carrying out research in health psychology and clinical psychology. It bridges the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study. As well as describing the various techniques and methods available to students, it provides them with a proper understanding of whata specific technique does - going beyond the introductory descriptions typical of most undergraduate methods books. The book describes both quantitative and qualitativeve approaches to data collection, providing valuable advice on methods ranging from psychometric testing to discourse analysis. Forboth undergraduate and postgraduate students, the book will be essential in making them aware of the full range of techniques available, helping them to design scientifically rigorous experiments, and effectively analyse their results.

Mental health problems impose a staggering worldwide public health burden. Regrettably, whereas many sciences have been progressing for centuries (e.g., biology, chemistry) it is only recently that the strategies of science have been applied to the field of clinical psychology. At this relatively early stage in the science of clinical psychology, the majority of work is ahead of us, and as such the prepared investigator must be familiar with the full portfolio of modern research strategies-a set of 'directions' for getting from 'here' to 'there.' To continue to move the science of clinical psychology forward, investigators benefit when they systematically rely on research strategy "routes" that achieve favorable balances between scientific rigor and clinical relevance. With this need in mind, The Oxford Handbook of Research Strategies for Clinical Psychology has recruited some of the field's foremost experts to explicate the essential research strategies currently used across the modern clinical psychology landscape that maximize both precision and significance. Chapters in this volume address design, measurement, and analytic strategies for clinical psychology, including comprehensive coverage of: - effective laboratory methods in experimental psychopathology, single-case experimental designs, small pilot trials, the randomized controlled trial, adaptive and modular treatment designs, and dissemination methods and models - change measurement, observational coding, measurement of process variables across treatment, structural and functional brain imagining, and experience sampling data collection methods - statistical power, correlation and regression, randomized clinical trial data analysis, conventions in mediation and moderation analysis, structural equation modeling, meta-analytic techniques, item-response theory, and the appropriate handling of missing data. The book concludes with an integrative summary of research strategies addressed across the volume, and guidelines for future directions in research methodology, design, and analysis that will keep our young science moving forward in a manner that maximizes scientific rigor and clinical relevance.

The exponential growth of clinical psychology since the late 1960s can be measured in part by the extensive-perhaps exhaustive-literature on the subject. This proliferation of writing has continued into the new century, and the field has come to be defined as much by its many topics as its many voices. The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Psychology synthesizes these decades of literature in one extraordinary volume. Comprising chapters from the foremost scholars in clinical psychology, the handbook provides even and authoritative coverage of the research, practice, and policy factors that combine to form today's clinical psychology landscape. In addition to core sections on topics such as training, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention, the handbook includes valuable chapters devoted to new and emerging issues in the clinical field, including heath care reforms, cultural factors, and technological innovations and challenges. Each chapter offers a review of the most pertinent literature, outlining current issues and identifying possibilities for future research. Featuring two chapters by Editor David H. Barlow -- one on changes during his own 40-year odyssey in the field, the other projecting ten themes for the future of clinical psychology -- The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Psychology is a landmark publication that is sure to serve as the field's benchmark reference publication for years to come. It is an essential resource for students, clinicians, and researchers across the ever-growing clinical psychology community.

The Oxford Handbook of Treatment Processes and Outcomes in Psychology presents a multidisciplinary approach to a biopsychosocial, translational model of psychological treatment across the lifespan. It describes cutting-edge research across developmental, clinical, counseling, and school psychology; social work; neuroscience; and psychopharmacology. The Handbook emphasizes the development of individual differences in resilience and mental health concerns including social, environmental, and epigenetic influences across the lifespan, particularly during childhood. Authors offer detailed discussions that expand on areas of research and practice that already have a substantive research base such as self-regulation, resilience, defining evidence-based treatment, and describing client-related variables that influence treatment processes. Chapters in newer areas of research are also included (e.g., neuroimaging, medications as adjuncts to psychological treatment, and the placebo effect). Additionally, authors address treatment outcomes such as evaluating therapist effectiveness, assessing outcomes from different perspectives, and determining the length of treatment necessary to attain clinical improvement. The Handbook provides an entrée to the research as well as hands-on guidance and suggestions for practice and oversight, making it a valuable resource for graduate students, practitioners, researchers, and agencies alike.

The Handbook of Research Methods in Clinical Psychology presents a comprehensive and contemporary treatment of research methodologies used in clinical psychology. Topics discussed include experimental and quasi-experimental designs, statistical analysis, validity, ethics, cultural diversity, and the scientific process of publishing. Written by leading researchers, the chapters focus on specific applications of research into psychopathology, assessment and diagnosis, therapy, and interventions for both child and adult populations. Special attention is also given to research into professional issues, prevention, and promotion. Research vignettes describe exemplary projects illustrating the essential elements of the research topics. In addition, the editors outline a research agenda for clinical psychologists that demonstrates the exciting future for the field. This handbook coherently illustrates the range of research methodologies used in clinical psychology and is a vital resource for both students and scholars who wish to expand their knowledge. Covers basic methodologies as well as specific applications of research designs. Includes research vignettes that describe exemplary studies and illustrate the essential elements of the research topics. Contains chapters written by active researchers in the field. Outlines a research agenda for clinical psychologists that demonstrates the exciting future for the field. Now available in full text online via xreferplus, the award-winning reference library on the web from xrefer. For more information, visit www.xreferplus.com

"The Handbook of Methodological Approaches to Community-Based Research is intended to aid the community-oriented researcher in learning about and applying cutting-edge quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches"--

Oxford Handbooks offer authoritative and up-to-date reviews of original research in a particular subject area. Specially commissioned chapters from leading figures in the discipline give critical examinations of the progress and direction of debates, as well as a foundation for future research. Oxford Handbooks provide scholars and graduate students with compelling new perspectives upon a wide range of subjects in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Book jacket.