Quantitative Practice-Based Research

Abstract

Hanley et al. offer an overview of core principles of quantitative research and how these might be used to answer descriptive, comparative or relationship-based research questions. Following on from this, the authors discuss adventurous projects attempting to articulate a theory of change for online therapeutic services. An overarching mixed methods design is described before going on to discuss the way that quantitative methods have been used to complement earlier qualitative research. The authors share two examples of projects where the research team have attempted to keep the individuals seeking support at the fore of what is being measured, one reporting the use of an idiographic measure (the GBO) and one a hybrid nomothetic/idiographic measure (the SWAN-OM) in real-world therapeutic work. Both these studies highlight the utility of using these measures in web-based therapeutic work. The authors reflect upon the strengths and limitations of this work, concluding that while quantitative research is always reductive, there are ways of collecting numerical information that can place the individuals seeking support in the driving seat of what is being assessed. Whilst this adds an element of complexity to the understanding gained from such measures, it can help to humanise the numbers being collected and has the potential to enhance the therapeutic work engaged in.