Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE FSD5114

 
TITLE Advanced Research Methods for Family Therapy

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Child and Family Studies

 
DESCRIPTION In this study-unit, the emphasis is on researching the psychotherapy process - the theoretical underpinnings of psychotherapy, the process of formulation and the process of therapeutic change. There will also be a focus on evaluating the evidence for the practice of family therapy. Using this focus, this unit will further build and consolidate the research skills taught in FSD5113 in the MFT programme of studies.

Study-unit Aims:

The unit aims to help clinical researcher trainees to develop do-able research designs that are based in and on clinical practice and that encourage reflexive practice. It offers a forum for the consolidation of the students’ research skills, particularly the critical appraisal of the relevant literature, the articulation of a relevant research question and the discussion of ethical dilemmas that are met in practice.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1) Critically appraise the evidence for the effectiveness of psychotherapy and evaluate it;
2) Describe and compare the different methodologies used in Psychotherapy research.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1) Critically appraise the evidence for the effectiveness of psychotherapy and evaluate it;
2) Describe and compare the different methodologies used in Psychotherapy research.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Text:

- Dallos R., & Vetere, A. (2005). Researching Psychotherapy and Counselling. Berkshire, UK: Open University Press.

Supplementary Texts:

- Sprenkle, D.H & Piercy, F.P (2005). Research methods in Family Therapy) (2nd ed). London (Guildford press).
- Miller, R.B & Johnson, L. N. (2014). Advanced Research methods in Family Therapy research. a focus on validity and change. New York: Routledge.

Various other supplementary research articles will be handed out to the students depending on their specific research question and research methodology.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 Yes 50%
Seminar Paper SEM1 Yes 50%

 
LECTURER/S Ingrid Grech Lanfranco
Clarissa Sammut Scerri (Co-ord.)
Elaine Schembri Lia
Allison Zammit Said

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit