How does research affect clinical practice? Is all research equally trustworthy?

           Clinical psychology and research share a strong bond or relationship, whereas clinical psychology is dedicated to using research and dependent on research. Research is at the foundation of everything that occurs in clinical psychology (Plante, 2011). Research provides the direction and basis of any activities that occur in clinical psychology (Plante, 2011). Therefore, research is an invaluable component of clinical psychology. Without research, clinical psychology cannot be an effective discipline of psychology that develops tests or assessments that factor into assessing and treating individuals who suffer from psychological disorders and behavioral disorders and problems that affect human functioning. Also, research enables clinical psychologist to develop treatment methods in regard to treating individuals who suffer from such disorders and problems, as well as it allows for reassessing such treatment methods to make them more effective and allows clinical psychologist to develop more progressive treatment methods that have a less aversive effect on one's clients or patients. Research also helps clinical psychologist follow appropriate steps such as the steps involved in the scientific method to determine the factors that cause or  attribute to psychological disorders and behavior. Simply put, research affects the nature of clinical psychology. 

          Is all research equally trustworthy, no. Especially, when humans are an aspect of research conducted in clinical psychology. Researchers must follow a particular set of rules and guidelines when conducting research. If clinical researchers ignore such rules and guidelines then their research methods become invalid and untrustworthy.

Reference

Plante, T.G. (2011). Contemporary Clinical Psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.