Uses of a Computer Database to Support Research-Practice Integration in a Training Clinic

• Published in: Professional psychology, research and practice Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 52 - 58
• Main Authors: Todd, David M, Jacobus, Stéphane I, Boland, Joseph
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Psychological Association 01-02-1992
• Subjects: Clinical Methods Training; Experimentation; Human
• ISSN: 0735-7028; 1939-1323
• DOI: 10.1037/0735-7028.23.1.52

The success of the scientist-practitioner model may depend on the integration of research and practice in primary training settings. Computer databases may help to achieve this goal. This article explains what a database is, describes an example of a research database in a training clinic, and delineates several ways that a database can support clinical research in these settings. In addition to the basic functions of data entry, storage, and retrieval, 3 less obvious functions are described that may be of particular relevance to clinical research: (a) the management and analysis of text, (b) the interactive exploration of patterns in diverse forms of information, and (c) the empirical development of natural classification systems through database design.