Research Methods Series

• Research Methods and Statistics I
• Research Methods and Statistics II
• Research Methods and Statistics III

The Research Methods and Statistics series provides students with knowledge and experience regarding the role of research methods in professional psychology practice. Students gain a progressively more complex understanding of the relevance of a variety of research methods to professional practice, and the application of these methods to clinical problems. A sequence spanning the first and second trimesters of the second year teaches students to understand, design, and evaluate psychological research. Studies include: probability theory and hypothesis testing; sampling; reliability and validity; experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental designs; and descriptive and inferential statistics. Students also critically analyze current articles in scholarly journals. This sequence highlights clinical issues, enabling students to integrate basic research concepts with clinical practice.

In the third trimester, students develop clinical areas of interest, questions, and approaches to addressing these questions during the development of their dissertation proposal. Issues of conceptualization, implementation, and clinical relevance are addressed. Students are encouraged to select a topic and approach based on their clinical interest, experience, and professional goals. Traditional and innovative approaches are encouraged, with a focus on the appropriateness of the approach to address the question and foster students' professional development.