CPSE 750 – Advanced Research Theory and Methods
Fall 2012
Section 001: 166 MCKB on Thursday from 12:00 pm - 2:50 pm
Name: P. Scott Richards, PhD
Office Phone: 801-422-4868
Office Location: 340M MCKB
Email:
Office Hours: M,Th 3:00 pm to 3:50 am or by appointment
Course Information
Description
This is an advanced course in counseling research design and methodology. The course will explore rationales and methods for developing a more adequate evidence-base in the field of counseling psychology. Ethical issues in research will be studied. Contributions of eminent psychotherapy researchers to our field will be explored. Enduring philosophical and methodological problems in behavioral science research will also be examined.
Textbooks
/ Item / Vendor / Price (new) / Price (used) /Developing and Delivering Practice-Based Evidence: A Guide for the Psychological Therapies Required
by Michael Barkham, Gillian E. Hardy, & John Mellor-Clark
Wiley-Blackwell: West Sussex, UK PO19 8SQ1st edition1346292600
ISBN: 978-0-470-03234-3
This book is available electronically through the BYU Library / $0.00 / $0.00
BRINGING PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH TO LIFE Required
by L, CASTONGUAY,
ISBN: 9781433807749 / BYU Bookstore / $59.95 / $45.00
Prerequisites
CPSE 672 (Empirical Inquiry) or equivalent
Learning Outcomes
· Research design and methodology
Gain and demonstrate knowledge about research design and methodology as it pertains to Counseling Psychology and psychotherapy research as well as an appreciation for the role research plays in informing the practice of counseling.
· Major research paradigms
Become familiar with some of the major research paradigms in counseling psychology and psychotherapy research (e.g., process research, outcome research, singleN research, etc.).
· Enduring Problems in Behavioral science research
Understand ten enduring philosophical and methodological problems in behavioral science research and their implications for researchers and practitioners.
· Toward a human science
Understand five characteristics of a framework for behavioral science research that is more adequate for the study of human beings and human experiences.
Classroom Procedures
A central purpose of this course is for students to gain and demonstrate knowledge about research design and methodology as it pertains to counseling psychology and psychotherapy research as well as an appreciation for the role research plays in informing the practice of counseling. We assume that you have already acquired basic research and statistical knowledge and skills from previous classes and experiences. We will read textbooks about how to conduct practice-based research in order to contribute to the evidence-base in counseling psychology and evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of our clinical practices. We will also read a textbook about eminent psychotherapy researchers in order to gain a historical perspective of research in our field. The class will be conducted in an informal manner to encourage interaction and critical thinking. The class time will consist of several different activities. We will spend some of our time discussing textbook and supplemental readings. As your instructor, I will serve as your research consultant to assist you in gaining a greater appreciation for and understanding of concepts in the readings that you have found unclear or difficult. I will also present on several “critical issues in behavioral science research” do help you understand some of the major challenges and problems with research in our field. I also plan to illustrate the application, challenges, and benefits of some of the major research paradigms and methodologies with concrete examples (I like to call them “research stories”) from my own research projects, as well as from other researchers.Some time will also be spent taking turns sharing and critiquing research ideas, research questions, and design and methodology strategies related to your doctoral dissertation projects.
Schedule
Date / Readings Due/Presentation / Instr. Presentation / Student Assignments /Th - Aug 30 / Richards & Bergin (2005) Chp. 12
O’Grady & Richards (2011) / Syllabus; Dissertation; Becoming a scientist-practitioner;
Critical Issues: Limitations of Scientific Naturalism; Toward a Human Science
Th - Sep 06 / Barkham Chp. 1
Presenter: Luke / Critical Issues: Problem of the Research-Practice Gap
Th - Sep 13 / Barkham Chp 2
Presenter: Clay
You are required to make a presentation and lead a class discussion about two chapters in the Barkham et al. (2010) textbook. You should summarize the main points of the chapter, raise questions about challenging concepts, and offer your critique of the main ideas in the chapter. You will be given up to 50 minutes for these presentations. I recommend that you prepare a handout and/or power point slides to assist in the presentation. During the first day of class, you will sign up for two class periods to make your presentations. By successfully completing these two presentations you can earn 15% toward your final grade. / Critical Issues: Problems with the Empirically Supported Treatment Movement
Th - Sep 20 / Barkham Chp 3
Presenter: Troy
In consultation with your committee chair or advisor, you are required to develop a written plan to complete and defend your dissertation before you interview for internships. This written plan should also include dissertation goals/tasks you will complete during this semester (Fall 2010). Your written plan is due by 10 p.m. on Thursday September 20th. You will share this written plan with the course instructor and your chair/advisor. You will be given opportunities to report on your dissertation progress during class time. If you turn in your written dissertation plan by the due date you will receive 5% toward your final grade. I will provide more information about my expectations for the written dissertation plan, as well as information about the dissertation process, during class time. / Research story and critique: Comparative effectiveness study with eating disorder patients / Dissertation plan due
Th - Sep 27 / Barkham Chp 4
Presenter: Danita
You are each required to read about 3 different eminent psychotherapy researchers in the Castonguay et al. (2010) textbook. You should write a 2 - 3 page reaction paper about each of these researchers, sharing what you found most interesting about the researcher’s life and research program, as well as what you learned from reading about them that might assist you in your research and/or clinical practice. These 3 reaction papers will be due by Thursday September 27th at 10 p.m. Completing these readings and reactions papers will count 10% towards your final grade. You are also required to select one of these eminent psychotherapy researchers and make a class presentation about this researcher. You will be given up to 50 minutes for your presentation. In preparing for the presentation you should go beyond what the textbook contains about that researchers by doing some research in the library and internet to more fully understand and appreciate this researcher’s life and scholarly work. I recommend that you include in your presentation a more in-depth discussion about a specific research study or scholarly article written by this researcher. I will share more information about my expectations for this assignment during class time. Completing this presentation in a satisfactory manner will be worth an additional 15% toward your final grade. / Critical Issues: Problems with Bias, Politics, and Fraud in Research / Reaction papers about psychotherapy researchers due
Th - Oct 04 / Barkham Chp 5
Presenter: Jason / Research story and critique: Religious bias in moral development research / Presentation about psychotherapy researcher
Presenter: Danita
Th - Oct 11 / Barkham Chp 6
Presenter: Danita / Critical Issues: Problems with Psychological Measurement / Presentation about psychotherapy researcher
Presenter: Troy
Th - Oct 18 / Barkham Chp 7
Presenter: Clay / Research story and critique: Spiritual interventions in psychotherapy practice survey / Presentation about Psychotherapy Researcher
Presenter: Jason
Th - Oct 25 / Barkham Chp 8
Presenter: Jason / Critical Issues: Problems with Random Sampling and Generalizability / Presentation about Psychotherapy Researcher
Presenter: Clay
Th - Nov 01 / Barkham Chp 9
Presenter: Sierra / Research story and critique: Qualitative study of thirteen experienced LDS psychotherapists / Presentation about Psychotherapy Researcher
Presenter: Luke
Th - Nov 08 / Barkham Chp 10
Presenter: Troy / Critical Issues: Problems with Statistical Hypothesis Testing and Theory Falsification / Presentation about Psychotherapy Researcher
Presenter: Sierra
Th - Nov 15 / Think Tank on Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapies
Th - Nov 22 / Thanksgiving Holiday
Th - Nov 29 / Barkham Chp 11
Presenter: Luke / Critical issues: Problems with the Peer Review Process and Scientific Publishing
Th - Dec 06 / Barkham Chp 12
Presenter: Sierra
Attendance and punctuality at classes is required due to the fact absenteeism detracts from the quality of everyone's learning experience. Class attendance and participation is worth 20% of your final grade. You will be deducted 3% from your final class percentage for each unexcused absence and 1% for each unexcused tardiness / Research story and critique: Preliminary findings of psychotherapy outcome studies at CFC, CCC, and BYU-I / Reading log due
Th - Dec 13 / Final Exam: 166 MCKB
3:00pm - 6:00pmThere will be a final exam (worth 20% toward your final grade). The exam will consist of multiple choice and brief essay questions about research methods, research paradigms, and philosophy of science. The final exam will be administered at the time specified by the university in the fall catalog which is December 13th from 3 - 6 p.m..
Assignments
Class Presentation on Barkham Textbook Chapters
Due: Thursday, Sep 13 at 12:00 pm
You are required to make a presentation and lead a class discussion about two chapters in the Barkham et al. (2010) textbook. You should summarize the main points of the chapter, raise questions about challenging concepts, and offer your critique of the main ideas in the chapter. You will be given up to 50 minutes for these presentations. I recommend that you prepare a handout and/or power point slides to assist in the presentation. During the first day of class, you will sign up for two class periods to make your presentations. By successfully completing these two presentations you can earn 20% toward your final grade.
Final Exam
Due: Thursday, Dec 13 at 6:00 pm
There will be a final exam (worth 20% toward your final grade). The exam will consist of multiple choice and brief essay questions about research methods, research paradigms, and philosophy of science. The final exam will be administered at the time specified by the university in the fall catalog which is December 13th from 3 - 6 p.m..
Completing the Textbook Readings and Reading Log
Due: Thursday, Dec 06 at 12:00 pm
You are required to complete all of the assigned readings in the textbooks by the due date assigned so that you will be fully prepared to discuss the readings and consult with me and your classmates about the most challenging concepts during class. Please keep a log of when you complete your readings so that you can document you completed them in a timely manner. Completing all of the assigned readings on time will be worth 20% toward your final grade. Your reading log is due on the last day of class.
Readings and Class Presentation about an Eminent Psychotherapy Researcher
Due: Thursday, Sep 27 at 12:00 pm
You are each required to read about 3 different eminent psychotherapy researchers in the Castonguay et al. (2010) textbook. You should write a 2 - 3 page reaction paper about each of these researchers, sharing what you found most interesting about the researcher’s life and research program, as well as what you learned from reading about them that might assist you in your research and/or clinical practice. These 3 reaction papers will be due by Thursday September 27th at 10 p.m. Completing these readings and reactions papers will count 10% towards your final grade. You are also required to select one of these eminent psychotherapy researchers and make a class presentation about this researcher. You will be given up to 50 minutes for your presentation. In preparing for the presentation you should go beyond what the textbook contains about that researchers by doing some research in the library and internet to more fully understand and appreciate this researcher’s life and scholarly work. I recommend that you include in your presentation a more in-depth discussion about a specific research study or scholarly article written by this researcher. I will share more information about my expectations for this assignment during class time. Completing this presentation in a satisfactory manner will be worth an additional 10% toward your final grade.
Dissertation Written Plan and Semester Goals
Due: Thursday, Sep 20 at 12:00 pm
In consultation with your committee chair or advisor, you are required to develop a written plan to complete and defend your dissertation before you interview for internships. This written plan should also include dissertation goals/tasks you will complete during this semester (Fall 2010). Your written plan is due by 10 p.m. on Thursday September 20th. You will share this written plan with the course instructor and your chair/advisor. You will be given opportunities to report on your dissertation progress during class time. If you turn in your written dissertation plan by the due date you will receive 5% toward your final grade. I will provide more information about my expectations for the written dissertation plan, as well as information about the dissertation process, during class time.
Class Attendance and Participation
Due: Thursday, Dec 06 at 11:59 pm
Attendance and punctuality at classes is required due to the fact absenteeism detracts from the quality of everyone's learning experience. Class attendance and participation is worth 20% of your final grade. You will be deducted 3% from your final class percentage for each unexcused absence and 1% for each unexcused tardiness
Point Breakdown
Assignments / Percent of Grade /Class Presentation on Barkham Textbook Chapters / 20%
Final Exam / 20%
Completing the Textbook Readings and Reading Log / 20%
Reaction Papers and Class Presentation about an Eminent Psychotherapy Researcher / 20%
Dissertation Written Plan and Semester Goals / 5%
Class Attendance and Participation / 15%
Grading Scale
Grade / PercentA / 93% to 100%
A- / 90% to 92%
B+ / 87% to 89%
B / 83% to 86%
B- / 80% to 82%
C+ / 77% to 79%
C / 73% to 76%
C- / 70% to 72%
University Policies
Honor Code
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university's expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.