Overview
Interpretive single-case research methods include Fishman’s Pragmatic Case Study Research, Elliott’s Hermeneutic Single Case Efficacy Design, and Stiles’ Assimilation Model. These expanded single case research approaches have been developed as practice-based alternatives to Randomized Clinical Trials, with the purpose of identifying change processes in order describe causal change processes at the level of individual therapy clients.
In general, these designs aim to:
- document that change has occurred;
- examine the role of therapy in bringing about change; and
- explore the processes likely to be responsible for change.
These methods emphasize the use of a rich case record of comprehensive information on therapy outcome and process (e.g., using multiple perspectives, sources, and types of data), as well as systematic and critical reflection by the researcher. They are suitable for practitioners to use to evaluate their work with clients and also for student projects at both masters and doctoral levels.
The Strathclyde Practice-Based Research Protocol is designed to generate data appropriate for carrying out Interpretive Single Case Study Research, in both training and research Clinics and appropriate practice settings. This protocol generates pre, post, and client weekly tracking data, using a range of quantitative and qualitative tools, including outcome measures (CORE-OM, Strathclyde Inventory, Personal Questionnaire), post-session measures (Helpful Aspects of Therapy questionnaire), relationship measures (e.g., Working Alliance Inventory, Therapeutic Relationship Scale) and post-therapy interviews (Change Interview).
Interpretive case studies are focused on a particular presenting problem and specific therapeutic process (e.g., two-chair work with social anxiety; therapist unconditional positive regard with depression). They can be carried out with a single client of one’s own (appropriate for a masters-level thesis), or with a short series of three similar clients (at least two of whom are one’s own; appropriate for a doctoral-level thesis). Interpretive case studies should be located within a context of relevant theory, practice and previous research.
We are currently experimenting with adjudication methods such as quasi-adversarsial processes such as affirmative and sceptic case construction, and the use of panels of peer judges.
Published Work:
- Elliott, R. (2001). Hermeneutic single case efficacy design (HSCED): An overview. In K.J.Schneider, J.F.T. Bugental & J.F. Fraser (eds.), Handbook of Humanistic Psychology (pp. 315-324), Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Elliott, R. (2002a). Hermeneutic single case efficacy design. Psychotherapy Research, 12, 1–20.
- Elliott, R., & Zucconi, A. (2006). Doing Research on the Effectiveness of Psychotherapy and Psychotherapy Training: A Person-Centered/Experiential Perspective. Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies, 5, 82-100.
Recent Presentations:
- Elliott, R. (March, 2007). Researching Client Change in Our Own Practice: A Systematic Case Study of a Process-Experiential Treatment of a Client with Panic/Bridge Phobia. Paper presented at meeting of the UK Chapter of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, Ravenscar, UK.
Current research:
- HSCED research on the application of Person-centred therapy to Social Anxiety.
- HSCED research on the application of Process-Experiential therapy to Social Anxiety.
- HSCED research on clusters of similar clients seen in the Practice-Based Research Protocol.
Potential research topics:
- HSCED studies of 1 to 3 similar therapies: MSc or M-level dissertation: 1 case of the researcher’s. PhD or D-level dissertation: 3 cases, at least two cases with the researcher as therapist.
Resources:
- Pragmatic Case Studies in Psychotherapy. On-line journal devoted to interpretive case studies. Go to: http://pcsp.libraries.rutgers.edu/
- Conference Series on Single Case Research. ESRC grant-funded series of 3 conferences, organized by John McLeod and Robert Elliott, to be held 2008-09, at the Universities of Abertay and Strathclyde. Tentative dates:
- 19 April 2008: Introductory One-day conference, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.
- 24 – 25 October 2008: Two-day international conference, University of Abertay, Dundee.
Active Researchers:
- Robert Elliott
- Mick Cooper
- Brian Rodgers
- Lorna Carrick
- Tracey Sanders
- Elizabeth Freire
- Wendy Traynor