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  • Essay / The Importance of Research in Psychology - 646

    Research is a necessary skill in the field of psychology because it is the key to observing, diagnosing, and treating clients with psychological problems. “Among health professions, clinical psychology is one of the few to offer in-depth research training. » (Howes, 1996) The clinical psychologist uses the scientific method as a research procedure. Psychology is the only mental health discipline that has its roots in academic research rather than practice. “Research is the foundation of all clinical psychology activities. » (Plante, 2005) Observation is essential for psychologists to get to know their clients. Examination is about learning and understanding the way the client acts and thinks. When observing, it is important to take mental notes and be aware of body language to see how the client reacts to certain questions and situations. There are many ways to do this, including case studies, surveys, and naturalistic observation. The case study examines an individual in depth, but often requires further study. “We need to ask questions and seek answers using several different research methods. » (Plante, 2005) The survey examines cases in less depth, but is used to estimate the results of a group of people. Naturalistic observation notes behavior in a natural environment, but it does not explain behavior, it describes it. When observing, it is helpful to look for patterns and sequences because, as Heffner stated, "order can be found in even the most random data." (2001) Nevertheless, observation is important because before psychologists can explain what people do, they must first observe what they do. Evaluation is an essential part of research. Clinical psychologists use different types of assessments...... middle of paper ......ion, assessment, and treatment. The use of research allows us to understand human behavior but also to develop assessment techniques and treatment strategies. “Psychologists are not only practitioners who conduct psychotherapies, but also investigators who conduct research. » (Plante, 2005)REFERENCE PAGECoaley, K. (2010). An introduction to psychological assessment and psychometrics. London: SAGE. Dozois, DA (2013). Psychological treatments: putting evidence into practice and practice into evidence. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 54(1), 1-11. doi:10.1037/a0031125Heffner, C.L. (2001). Psychology 101. Plante, TG (2005). Contemporary clinical psychology. New York: Wiley. Vallis, T. and Howes, J.L. (1996). The field of clinical psychology: arriving at a definition. Canadian Psychology/Canadian Psychology, 37(2), 120-127. do I:10.1037/0708-5591.37.2.120