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On doing research: the dream and the reality
Author(s) -
Gale Anthony
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1467-6427
pISSN - 0163-4445
DOI - 10.1046/j..1985.00678.x
Subject(s) - psychology , dream , product (mathematics) , process (computing) , affect (linguistics) , principal (computer security) , perspective (graphical) , resistance (ecology) , social psychology , public relations , engineering ethics , psychotherapist , computer science , political science , communication , ecology , geometry , mathematics , engineering , biology , operating system , artificial intelligence
The principal concern of this essay is to offer practical and personal guidance to professional therapists who wish to engage in research in family therapy. It is not a paper about research design or experimental/observational/survey methods; rather the focus is upon the experience of engaging in research. It attempts to destroy a few common myths about researchers, research, and the motives of researchers and those whom they research. Research is seen as a continuing and evolving process (rather than a product) which can intrude in many aspects of the individual's life; it can affect motives, working relationships, organizational composure, personal family life, and personal self‐esteem. Research is thus like most other forms of employment. Research, as an activity, must be seen in terms of systems dynamics, resistance to change, and hopefully, in terms also, of self‐actualization and the refreshment of professional parts that other addictions cannot reach. Recommendations are made for the structuring of research activity, in the light of the research model presented.