scholarly journals Speaking about therapists Old questions and some answers derived from empirical evidence

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Santo Di Nuovo
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Ethical Values ◽  
Specific Training ◽  
Active Researcher ◽  
Technical Competencies ◽  
Novices And Experts ◽  
Effective Integration

The paper presents a review of the therapist's role and characteristics with reference to issues regarding general and specific training, theoretical and personal background, the capacity to initiate and maintain therapeutic alliance, the setting, differences between "novices" and "experts", the need for the clinical psychologist to be an active researcher within his/her practice. The concept of "responsibility" as effective integration of technical competencies and ethical values is outlined. Each of these issues is accompanied by a brief synthesis of the research evidence.

Membangun Fondasi Keilmuan Ekonomi Islam: Telaah Metodologi Muhammad Akram Khan

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-170
Author(s):  
Ahmad Ubaidillah
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Inductive Method ◽  
Ethical Values ◽  
Institutional Conditions ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Behavioral Parameters ◽  
Science Methodology ◽  
Islamic Society

Throughout my experience in tracking down and reading books on faith-based economics, in this case Islam, there are no books that specifically list the title of "Islamic economics". If there is, it is only initiated or introduced. Most books coming down to us still use the titles starting with the word, for example, system, concept, principle, or the doctrine of Islamic economics. Why do the authors of the book Islamic economics seem not dared to give his book title with label "science"? I presume that Islamic economics has not been considered as a science. In building a science, methodology is required. Islamic Economics also requires a well-established methodology to build the foundation of science. The study answers questions; how is methodology which is offered by Muhammad Akram Khan to build Islamic economics. The method used in this research is the study of literature with qualitative approach.The result of study concludes that Khan offers methodology of Islamic economics, if summarized, written as follows: First, Islamic economics uses a framework derived from the texts of divinity (revelation). Second, Islamic economics uses the inductive method, which gives witness to the truth or falsity assumptions and predictions about the two criteria of rationality and empirical evidence. Third, Islamic economy is built on ethical values ​​such as justice, virtue, moderation, sacrifice, caring for others, in the analysis, as behavioral parameters. Fourth, Islamic economics is a normative discipline. Islamic Economics investigates ways and means to change the existing economy with Islamic economy. Fifth, Islamic economics ask different questions with conventional economics. Its attention is on welfare (falah) human and creating social and institutional conditions that maximize falah in society. Clearly, Islamic economics strongly supports research programs that help maximize falah. Furthermore, Khan elaborates several issues related to the methodology that often appears in the forum of Islamic economists. There are some problems that Khan proposes, they are the interaction with modern economics, the role of revelation, assuming ideal Islamic society, and the general theory of Islamic economics.

scholarly journals Levels of research evidence in health policy assessment in Malawi

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-250
Author(s):  
Patrick Mapulanga ◽  
Jaya Raju ◽  
Thomas Matingwina
Keyword(s):  
Health Policy ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Services Research ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Systems

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine levels of health research evidence in health policies in Malawi. Design/methodology/approach The study selected a typology of health policies in Malawi from 2002 to 2017. The study adopted the SPIRIT conceptual framework and assessed the levels of research evidence in health policy, systems and services research using the revised SAGE policy assessment tool. Documentary analysis was used to assess levels of health research evidence in health policies in Malawi. Findings In 29 (96.7 per cent) of the health policies, policy formulators including healthcare directors and managers used generic search engines such as Google or Google Scholar to look for heath research evidence. In 28 (93.3 per cent) of the health policies, they searched for grey literature and other government documents. In only 6 (20 per cent) of the heath policy documents, they used academic literature in a form of journal articles and randomised controlled trials. No systematic reviews or policy briefs were consulted. Overall, in 23 (76.7 per cent) of the health policy documents, health research evidence played a minimal role and had very little influence on the policy documents or decision-making. Research limitations/implications The empirical evidence in the health policy documents are limited because of insufficient research citation, low retrievability of health research evidence in the policy documents and biased selectivity of what constitutes health research evidence. Practical implications The study indicates that unfiltered information (data from policy evaluations and registries) constitutes majority of the research evidence in health policies both in health policy, systems and services research. The study seeks to advocate for the use of filtered information (peer reviewed, clinical trials and data from systematic reviews) in formulating health policies. Originality/value There is dearth of literature on the levels of health research evidence in health policy-making both in health policy, systems and services research. This study seeks to bridge the gap with empirical evidence from a developing country perspective.

scholarly journals Finding Web-Based Anxiety Interventions on the World Wide Web: A Scoping Review

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Thiel Ashford ◽  
Ellinor K Olander ◽  
Susan Ayers
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Intervention Programs ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Presentation Modes ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Program Characteristics ◽  
The Web

Background One relatively new and increasingly popular approach of increasing access to treatment is Web-based intervention programs. The advantage of Web-based approaches is the accessibility, affordability, and anonymity of potentially evidence-based treatment. Despite much research evidence on the effectiveness of Web-based interventions for anxiety found in the literature, little is known about what is publically available for potential consumers on the Web. Objective Our aim was to explore what a consumer searching the Web for Web-based intervention options for anxiety-related issues might find. The objectives were to identify currently publically available Web-based intervention programs for anxiety and to synthesize and review these in terms of (1) website characteristics such as credibility and accessibility; (2) intervention program characteristics such as intervention focus, design, and presentation modes; (3) therapeutic elements employed; and (4) published evidence of efficacy. Methods Web keyword searches were carried out on three major search engines (Google, Bing, and Yahoo—UK platforms). For each search, the first 25 hyperlinks were screened for eligible programs. Included were programs that were designed for anxiety symptoms, currently publically accessible on the Web, had an online component, a structured treatment plan, and were available in English. Data were extracted for website characteristics, program characteristics, therapeutic characteristics, as well as empirical evidence. Programs were also evaluated using a 16-point rating tool. Results The search resulted in 34 programs that were eligible for review. A wide variety of programs for anxiety, including specific anxiety disorders, and anxiety in combination with stress, depression, or anger were identified and based predominantly on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. The majority of websites were rated as credible, secure, and free of advertisement. The majority required users to register and/or to pay a program access fee. Half of the programs offered some form of paid therapist or professional support. Programs varied in treatment length and number of modules and employed a variety of presentation modes. Relatively few programs had published research evidence of the intervention’s efficacy. Conclusions This review represents a snapshot of available Web-based intervention programs for anxiety that could be found by consumers in March 2015. The consumer is confronted with a diversity of programs, which makes it difficult to identify an appropriate program. Limited reports and existence of empirical evidence for efficacy make it even more challenging to identify credible and reliable programs. This highlights the need for consistent guidelines and standards on developing, providing, and evaluating Web-based interventions and platforms with reliable up-to-date information for professionals and consumers about the characteristics, quality, and accessibility of Web-based interventions.

A Principle-Based Approach to Psychotherapy Integration

2019 ◽  
pp. 88-104
Author(s):  
Catherine F. Eubanks ◽  
Marvin R. Goldfried
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Outcome Research ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Psychotherapy Integration ◽  
Change Processes ◽  
Theoretical Orientations ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Reality Testing ◽  
Individual Needs ◽  
Change Principles

A principle-based approach to integration provides a framework for identifying common change processes that may exist among different theoretical orientations. This chapter identifies five change principles that are common across orientations and are supported by outcome research: fostering the patient’s hope, positive expectations, and motivation; facilitating the therapeutic alliance; increasing the patient’s awareness and insight; encouraging corrective experiences; and emphasizing ongoing reality testing. By focusing on these change principles, therapists have the flexibility to select a variety of techniques that are responsive to the client’s individual needs and preferences. The chapter also provides examples of techniques that support each principle and illustrates principle-based psychotherapy with a case example. The authors concludes by reviewing the research evidence and suggesting future directions for this approach.

Is Laughter the Best Medicine? Humor, Laughter, and Physical Health

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 216-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rod A. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Beneficial Effects

This article examines research evidence for the popular idea that humor and laughter have beneficial effects on physical health. Potential theoretical mechanisms for such effects are discussed first. Empirical evidence for beneficial effects of humor and laughter on immunity, pain tolerance, blood pressure, longevity, and illness symptoms is then summarized. Overall, the evidence for health benefits of humor and laughter is less conclusive than commonly believed. Future research in this area needs to be more theoretically driven and methodologically rigorous.

Keeping an eye out: reflections on the post “EMDR-high” for therapists

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-50
Author(s):  
Feryad A. Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Personal Impact ◽  
Physical Health Problems ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Research evidence shows that Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is proving itself to be an effective intervention across a range of mental and physical health problems. With an additional focus on the neurological impact that the mechanism of the techniques has on the patient, our understanding of its impact is growing. However, what is lesser-known is information around the impact that employing EMDR has on the therapist, namely the post-treatment phenomenon of the “EMDR-high”. This article stems from the experience of a clinical psychologist at the early stages of using EMDR and her experiences of the personal impact of employing EMDR. It presents a number of questions to help identify possible explanations of the EMDR-high, within the context of basic neurological and psychological theory. The article aims to draw attention to this experience/potential phenomenon in order to encourage further research to help identify what the long-term impact may be upon the therapists themselves as well as help us further our knowledge about EMDR in general.

scholarly journals Challenging the Reductionism of “Evidence-Based” Youth Justice

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1735
Author(s):  
Stephen Case
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Youth Justice ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Integral Means ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Policy Practice

The generation of empirical evidence to explain offending by children and young people has been a central driver of criminological and sociological research for more than two centuries. Across the international field of youth justice, empirical research evidence has become an integral means of complementing and extending the knowledge and understanding of offending offered by the official enquiries and data collection of professional stakeholders and an essential tool for informing ‘evidence-based’ policy, practice and ‘effective intervention’. However, it will be argued that the hegemonic empirical evidence-base created by youth justice research over the past two decades has been generated through methodological reductionism - the oversimplification of complexity, the restriction of conceptual lens and the relative exclusion of competing explanatory paradigms and empirical methodologies, which in turn, has reduced the scope and validity of the policy and practice recommendations derived from it.

scholarly journals One step forward and two steps back? The ‘20 Principles’ for questioning vulnerable witnesses and the lack of an evidence-based approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Cooper ◽  
Coral Dando ◽  
Thomas Ormerod ◽  
Michelle Mattison ◽  
Ruth Marchant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Advocacy Training ◽  
One Step

It is a widely held belief that questioning vulnerable witnesses is a specialist skill. In England and Wales vulnerable witness advocacy training built around ‘20 Principles’ has been developed and is being delivered. The 20 Principles do not cite a tested theoretical framework(s) or empirical evidence in support. This paper considers whether the 20 Principles are underpinned by research evidence. It is submitted that advocacy training and the approach to questioning witnesses in the courtroom should take into account the already available research evidence. The authors make recommendations for revision of the training and for a wider review of the approach taken to the handling of witness evidence.

scholarly journals Examining Predictors of Real-World User Engagement with Self-Guided eHealth Interventions: Analysis of Mobile Apps and Websites Using a Novel Dataset (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Baumel ◽  
John M Kane
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Product Design ◽  
Real World ◽  
Research Evidence ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Visual Design ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND The literature suggests that the product design of self-guided electronic health (eHealth) interventions impacts user engagement. Traditional trial settings, however, do not enable the examination of these relationships in real-world use. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine whether the qualities of product design, research evidence, and publicly available data predict real-world user engagement with mobile and Web-based self-guided eHealth interventions. METHODS This analysis included self-guided mobile and Web-based eHealth interventions available to the public—with their qualities assessed using the Enlight suite of scales. Scales included Usability, Visual Design, User Engagement, Content, Therapeutic Persuasiveness, Therapeutic Alliance, Credibility, and Research Evidence. Behavioral data on real-world usage were obtained from a panel that provides aggregated nonpersonal information on user engagement with websites and mobile apps, based on a time window of 18 months that was set between November 1, 2016 and April 30, 2018. Real-world user engagement variables included average usage time (for both mobile apps and websites) and mobile app user retention 30 days after download. RESULTS The analysis included 52 mobile apps (downloads median 38,600; interquartile range [IQR] 116,000) and 32 websites (monthly unique visitors median 5689; IQR 30,038). Results point to moderate correlations between Therapeutic Persuasiveness, Therapeutic Alliance, and the 3 user engagement variables (.31≤rs≤.51; Ps≤.03). Visual Design, User Engagement, and Content demonstrated similar degrees of correlation with mobile app engagement variables (.25≤rs≤.49; Ps≤.04) but not with average usage time of Web-based interventions. Positive correlations were also found between the number of reviews on Google Play and average app usage time (r=.58; P<.001) and user retention after 30 days (r=.23; P=.049). Although several product quality ratings were positively correlated with research evidence, the latter was not significantly correlated with real-world user engagement. Hierarchical stepwise regression analysis revealed that either Therapeutic Persuasiveness or Therapeutic Alliance explained 15% to 26% of user engagement variance. Data on Google Play (number of reviews) explained 15% of the variance of mobile app usage time above Enlight ratings; however, publicly available data did not significantly contribute to explaining the variance of the other 2 user-engagement variables. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that the qualities of product design predict real-world user engagement with eHealth interventions. The use of real-world behavioral datasets is a novel way to learn about user behaviors, creating new avenues for eHealth intervention research.

scholarly journals Membangun Fondasi Keilmuan Ekonomi Islam: Telaah Metodologi Muhammad Akram Khan

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Ubaidillah
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Inductive Method ◽  
Ethical Values ◽  
Institutional Conditions ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Behavioral Parameters ◽  
Science Methodology ◽  
Islamic Society

Throughout my experience in tracking down and reading books on faith-based economics, in this case Islam, there are no books that specifically list the title of "Islamic economics". If there is, it is only initiated or introduced. Most books coming down to us still use the titles starting with the word, for example, system, concept, principle, or the doctrine of Islamic economics. Why do the authors of the book Islamic economics seem not dared to give his book title with label "science"? I presume that Islamic economics has not been considered as a science. In building a science, methodology is required. Islamic Economics also requires a well-established methodology to build the foundation of science. The study answers questions; how is methodology which is offered by Muhammad Akram Khan to build Islamic economics. The method used in this research is the study of literature with qualitative approach.The result of study concludes that Khan offers methodology of Islamic economics, if summarized, written as follows: First, Islamic economics uses a framework derived from the texts of divinity (revelation). Second, Islamic economics uses the inductive method, which gives witness to the truth or falsity assumptions and predictions about the two criteria of rationality and empirical evidence. Third, Islamic economy is built on ethical values such as justice, virtue, moderation, sacrifice, caring for others, in the analysis, as behavioral parameters. Fourth, Islamic economics is a normative discipline. Islamic Economics investigates ways and means to change the existing economy with Islamic economy. Fifth, Islamic economics ask different questions with conventional economics. Its attention is on welfare (falah) human and creating social and institutional conditions that maximize falah in society. Clearly, Islamic economics strongly supports research programs that help maximize falah. Furthermore, Khan elaborates several issues related to the methodology that often appears in the forum of Islamic economists. There are some problems that Khan proposes, they are the interaction with modern economics, the role of revelation, assuming ideal Islamic society, and the general theory of Islamic economics. Keywords:  Islamic Economics, Methodology, Muhammad Akram Khan

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