Notes on Psychological Research

Mechanistically-Focused Research

  • Focus on factors that influence the development and maintenance of psychopathology.
  • Studies often examine moderating and mediating factors.
    • Mediator: A variable that helps explain the relationship between two related concepts.
    • Moderator: A variable that affects the strength of the relationship between two related concepts.

Evidence-Based Practices

  • Empirically Supported Treatments (ESTs): Interventions scientifically proven to improve mental health outcomes.
  • Also referred to as Evidence-Based Treatments (EBTs) and Empirically Validated Treatments (EVTs).
  • Incorporates scientific treatments with clinical judgment and client preferences.

Types of Research in Psychology

  • Basic Psychological Science: Focused on theoretical understanding without applied aspects.
  • Experimental Psychopathology Research: Includes Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) that are tightly controlled and laboratory-based.
  • Translation Studies: Transitioning research findings to practical, everyday applications.
    • T1: Transfer of laboratory findings to clinical applications.
    • T2: Testing results from clinical trials in real-world settings.
    • T3: Assessing feasibility and implementation in the community.

Steps for Conducting a Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT)

  1. Formulate a research question including a comparison group.
  2. Develop a detailed treatment manual/protocol.
  3. Identify variables and psychometrically sound measures.
  4. Define inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants.
  5. Implement random assignment and commence treatment.
  6. Evaluate treatment adherence.
  7. Evaluate treatment outcomes.
  • Note: Ensure that treatment providers and data collectors remain blind to hypotheses and conditions.

Efficacy vs. Effectiveness Studies

  • Efficacy Studies: Tightly controlled studies aimed at establishing cause and effect (gold standard is double-blind RCTs).
  • Effectiveness Studies: Focus on generalizability and the utility of treatments in real-world scenarios.

Levels of Translational Research

  • T1 Research: New lab findings lead to new practice methods and preliminary testing (e.g., vaccine development).
  • T2 Research: Takes T1 findings into everyday clinical practice (e.g., disseminating vaccines).
  • T3 Research: Involves practice in the field and includes program evaluation and community engagement.

Translational Psychology

  • Application of laboratory findings to practical and public utility settings.
  • Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR): Collaborative approach between universities and communities tackling social issues.

Challenges in Translational Research

  • Majority of translational research occurs at T1 due to cost and complexity as research moves further into community settings.