Factors influencing levels of research activity in clinical psychologists: a new model

Abstract

AbstractThere are concerns in the USA and UK about low levels of research activity amongst clinical psychologists emerging from doctoral level training. The authors explore existing evidence and theory pertaining to this phenomenon. Three relevant theoretical strands are identified, along with related empirical studies and commentaries in practitioner journals. These different sources are integrated to suggest a more complete model of factors influencing clinical psychologists' research intentions, and in turn research activity itself: vocational preferences, research training experienced during qualifying training, practice context, value placed on expected outcomes of doing research, perceived norms for clinical psychologists in relation to doing research, research self‐efficacy, professional identity and, most tentatively, sex role identity. Our new model points to training interventions, either pre‐ or post‐qualification, that may increase the likelihood of clinical psychologists carrying out clinical research that will contribute to their profession's knowledge base, beyond their time in qualifying training. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.