Description
A research methods text with a unique focus on evidence-based practice with couples and families, this book bridges the divide between research and clinical work. The text offers comprehensive, user-friendly coverage of measurement and design issues and basic qualitative and quantitative methods. Illustrating research concepts with clinically relevant examples and sample studies, it teaches clear steps for evaluating different types of studies and identifying common threats to validity. Of special value to therapists, it provides a systematic framework for using research to guide the selection and evaluation of interventions that meet the needs of particular clients.
Pedagogical features:
*End-of-chapter "Applications" sections showing how to evaluate specific methods.
*Appendices with quick-reference guides and recommended resources.
*Instructive glossary.
See also the authors' Essential Skills in Family Therapy, Second Edition: From the First Interview to Termination, which addresses all aspects of real-world clinical practice, and Essential Assessment Skills for Couple and Family Therapists, which shows how to weave assessment into all phases of therapy.
Chapter
1. Learning to Apply Research: Why Bother?
What Is Research (and Why Should I Care)?
False Dichotomies and False Beliefs
Purpose and Philosophy of This Book
Part I. Research Foundations
The Basics of Measurement
3. Internal Validity and Experiments
The Basics of Internal Validity and Experiments
4. External Validity and Sampling
The Basics of External Validity and Sampling
The Basics of Survey Research
The Basics of Qualitative Research
7. Miscellaneous Research Designs
A Potpourri of Research Designs
8. Ethics and Values in Research
Ethical Considerations in Research
9. Descriptive Statistics
The Basics of Descriptive Statistics
10. Inferential Bivariate Statistics
The Basics of Inferential Statistics
11. A Beginner’s Guide to Multivariate Statistics
The Fundamentals of Multivariate Statistics
Part II. Evidence-Based Practice
12. What Is an Evidence-Based Approach?
A Brief History of Evidence-Based Practice
Overview of the Evidence-Based Practice Steps: The Five A’s
13. Ask and Acquire: Creating Questions and Conducting a Search
Defining the Purpose of the Search
Framing the Question Using Keywords
Different Types of Sources
Expanding, Narrowing, and Ending Your Search
14. Appraise: Reading and Evaluating Research Articles and Systematic Reviews
Reading a Single Research Study
Evaluating the Quality of a Study
Can Indirect Indicators of Quality Be Used?
Reading and Evaluating a Systematic Review
Where to Find Systematic Reviews
Case Illustrations of Using a Single Study and Systematic Reviews
15. Apply I: Translating Research Findings into Clinical Practice
Factors That Predict Therapy Effectiveness Besides the Specific Treatment Model
“How Does My Client Compare to the Samples upon Which the Research Was Conducted?”
“How Will I Know If It Works in the Real World?”
“How Do I Learn about an Approach That Has Support?”
“Can I Adapt a Treatment for My Particular Client or Clinical Style?”
“How Should I Combine Evidence-Based Treatments on Multiple Problems in One Clientor Multiple Clients in a Family?”
16. Apply II: Utilizing Couple and Family Therapy Research in Clinical Practice
Why Family- and Couple-Based Treatments Matter
Utilizing Evidence-Based Treatments in Family Therapy
Remember Client Context When Applying Evidence-Based Treatments
17. Apply III: How to Talk to Clients about an Evidence-Based Approach
The Shared Decision-Making Model
Shared Decision Making in Family Therapy
The Benefits of Shared Decision Making
When and How Much Should You Educate Clients about EBPs?
Factors Influencing Shared Decision Making
How to Talk to Families and Larger Systems about EBP
18. Analyze and Adjust: Evaluating Your Clinical Work
Evaluating Therapy Outcomes
Client-Focused Progress Research for Family Therapists
19. The Future of Evidence-Based Practice: Looking into the Crystal Ball
The Influence of the Federal Government
Pay-for-Performance Incentives
Mining Electronic Medical Records for Trends and Evidence
The Role of Professional Organizations
The Influence of the Internet on Clinicians and Consumers
Appendix I. Evidence-Based Practice Pocket Guide (the Five A’s)
Appendix II. Guide to Evaluating Research Studies
Appendix III. Evidence-Based Practice Resources