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A phenomenon‐oriented strategy in depression research
Author(s) -
Shapiro M. B.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
british journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.479
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8260
pISSN - 0144-6657
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8260.1989.tb00834.x
Subject(s) - psychology , phenomenon , explication , cognitive psychology , relevance (law) , management science , depression (economics) , social psychology , psychotherapist , epistemology , philosophy , economics , macroeconomics , political science , law
This paper discusses the presence of important uninvestigated assumptions in every aspect of depression research. It is suggested that a general phenomenon‐oriented strategy might reduce the number of assumptions, if pursued in accordance with the requirements of natural science, which aims at maximizing the accuracy of our ideas about phenomena . Possible consequences of this strategy are: (1) the provisional selection of single, well‐established, target and criterion variables, together with comparison variables, all suggested by special investigations and previous research results; (2) maximizing the phenomenological validity of current observation procedures, in the light of results of research into questionnaire and interview methods; (3) inclusion of hitherto neglected, but scientifically legitimate, individual‐centred, experimental and longitudinal specific strategies: the strategies of choice for the investigation of psychological processes; (4) invention of tactics to facilitate the ethically acceptable use of scientific method in investigations of clinically relevant psychological phenomena; (5) explication and eventual testing of all assumptions; (6) focus upon the understanding, prediction and control of well‐established clinically relevant phenomena, with theory playing a secondary role of facilitating systematic investigation; and (7) immediate restriction, and eventual cessation, of the use of current forms of psychiatric diagnosis in fundamental depression research.