Introduction to Research Methods in Mental Health

Introduction to Research Methods in Mental Health
Key concepts, designs, and practical considerations for studying psychological well‑being, disorders, and treatment outcomes.

1. Why Research Methods Matter in Mental Health

2. Core Research Paradigms

3. Study Designs Frequently Used

3.1 Experimental Designs

• Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
  • Participants randomly assigned to treatment vs. control/placebo.
  • Gold standard for efficacy; blinding reduces bias.
• Factorial Designs
  • Test interaction of two or more interventions (e.g., medication × psychotherapy).

3.2 Quasi‑Experimental Designs

• Non‑randomized controlled trials
• Interrupted time‑series
• Useful when randomization is unethical or impractical (e.g., policy changes).

3.3 Observational Designs

3.4 Qualitative Designs

• Phenomenology – explore lived experience of mental illness.
• Narrative inquiry – construct personal illness stories.
• Ethnography – observe mental‑health service cultures.

4. Key Methodological Steps

1. Formulate a Clear Research Question

   • Use PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) for quantitative work.
   • Use SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon, Design, Evaluation, Research type) for qualitative work.

2. Literature Review

   • Systematic search (databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase).
   • Identify gaps, theoretical frameworks, and measurement tools.

3. Select an Appropriate Design

   • Match question, feasibility, ethical constraints, and resources.

4. Define Variables & Measures

   • Independent variables (e.g., treatment type).
   • Dependent variables (e.g., symptom severity).
   • Use validated instruments (e.g., PHQ‑9, PANSS, Beck Anxiety Inventory).
   • Consider biomarkers (cortisol, neuroimaging) when relevant.

5. Sampling Strategy

   • Probability sampling (simple random, stratified) → enhances representativeness.