PsyD Research Policy

PsyD Research Policy

Introduction

As participants in the larger academy, we seek to contribute to psychological science through our scholarship and, in turn, build knowledge that has impact on the world and society. As psychologists holding a Christian worldview, we also see our work as researchers through a spiritual lens:

• As an act of worship, that declares the wonder of God and his creation;
• As an act of obedience, as research better equips us for our calling
• As an act of love: to understand people’s struggles, needs, strengths, and perspectives; to learn how to improve health and well-being; and, to discover how to relate to people, build bridges, and maintain meaningful relationships.

The values undergirding our research endeavors are two-fold, namely, the greatest commandments given to us as Christ-followers:

• To love God, by seeking truth
• To love others, by seeking greater understanding of others

In sum, our research efforts will allow us to be better and more effectively engaged with human need.

Research in the PsyD Program

Consistent with the practitioner-scholar model on which our training is based, the PsyD program attaches a high value to scholarship that contributes to the field of psychology. In particular, we strive to carry out original, empirical research that extends the knowledge base of psychological science. We also pursue testing of innovative therapeutic approaches that address a variety of human needs. Moreover, we value the exploration of how individuals conduct sense-making of their world, experiences and culture.

Our scholarship is driven by the pursuit of truth, that is, to expand psychological science as an authority source of knowledge about the world. However, we also recognize additional sources that offer facets of truth from alternate lenses. Brown’s (2004) resonance model asserts five domains of authority—experience, traditions, rationality, and scripture, in addition to science. These authority sources are viewed as bodies of information that together offer greater resonance of truth, by complementing what is offered through a single source. Understanding of a phenomenon is therefore fine-tuned through information from multiple domains, with more harmonious resonance suggestive of a closer intersection toward truth. Viewing science through the resonance model aligns well with our Judeo-Christian heritage. Whereas research is a critical endeavor in the pursuit of truth, it does not preclude the importance of sacred authority that the biblical text holds for us. Our reasoning, logic, and ethical decision making are essential tools for evaluating truth. Furthermore, human traditions and experience are greatly valued as truths for individuals, communities, and cultures.

The PsyD program, faculty, and student researchers are afforded a measure of academic freedom to conduct research that meets the expectations of rigor and ethics of psychological science. Yet as our pursuit of scholarship occurs within an institutional context, Northwest University’s mission serves as an important guiding principle that eclipses individual academic freedom (Ostrander, 2018). Our research is designed to contribute to the engagement with human need, while remaining grounded in the Christian beliefs that define who we are as a university—a body of Christ-followers joined in a learning community to seek truth and yield the next generation of citizens, professionals, and contributors to our society.

Ostrander, R. (2018). Academic freedom and Christian higher education. Washington, DC: Council for Christian Colleges and University. Retrieved from https://www.cccu.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/CCCU-Statement-on-Academic- Freedom.pdf

Guidelines for PsyD research

Research conducted in the PsyD program must meet the following criteria:

1. The research advances the NU mission of engaging with human need—by empowering us to better understand the people whom we serve and, in turn, more effectively meet their needs.
2. The research fully conforms to the APA ethical guidelines, including its design and methodology, execution, and dissemination of findings and implications.
3. The research design and methodology is rigorous, well thought out, and is consistent with current scientific research standards.
4. The research is guided by faculty mentors who oversee the formulation of the study focus and design, methodology, analysis, and interpretation.

Internal Policy

1. Faculty should outline their areas of expertise and special interest (research and otherwise) and communicate this to students.
2. Students will be encouraged to propose research projects that align with faculty research topics and areas of expertise.
3. Faculty must strive to understand a student’s aims, purpose, and rationale for their proposed research.
4. Faculty are responsible for assessing whether they have the necessary expertise to guide a proposed student project. Possible avenues to gathering the necessary expertise include selection of additional committee members with relevant expertise, content knowledge, and research skill.
5. The NU IRB oversees the vetting of research projects conducted by students and faculty for the purpose of ensuring compliance with legal guidelines and ethical research practice.
6. Northwest University as an institution does not offer endorsement of particular research findings or interpretation of student research.

Faculty Research Interests

Research efforts and special areas of interest of the core PsyD faculty are outlined below. Please refer to the Student Handbook for detail about the process and procedures related to the dissertation project. (The current Student Handbook is posted on Eagle.)

Robert Campbell

• Faith integration in the counseling process, counseling practices of pastors, mental health issues and self-care practices of pastors and missionaries

Jenny Harris

• Adolescent substance use, mindfulness-based interventions, psychological dysregulation, forensic psychology, self-care, shine theory, cultural immersion trips/study abroad

Nikki Johnson

• Consumerism, financial management, first generation college students, trauma, criminal and civil forensics, dating/marriage/couples, poverty, social justice issues, women’s issues, at-risk adolescents

Kim Lampson

• Couples therapy, intervention efficacy (including innovative therapies) and therapy outcomes, eating disorders (general population and faith-based communities)