Commentary: New Pluralistic Strategies for Research in Clinical Practice

Abstract

This commentary reviews the Warner and Spandler article in relation to its use of pluralistic approaches to research to inform evidence-based practice in the field of clinical psychology. It highlights the ways in which the FIND (Frequency, Intensity, Number, Duration) model proposed in the paper aims to retain and enhance the credibility of research whilst confronting the challenges posed by promoting the inclusion of individual intent and meaning in seeking further understanding of the behaviour of those who self-harm. The commentary draws comparisons between the FIND model's focus on contextualisation and pluralistic data analysis strategies that can tap into multiple dimensions of lived identities. It considers challenges to traditional understandings of the purpose of triangulation as one that only illuminates convergence in research outcomes. It highlights the potential for gaining richer insight by drawing on multiple methods and/or data sources, even if these offer divergence or contradiction.

The FIND model advocates the use of behavioural, cognitive and emotional data in order to bring nuance to behavioural data and illustrates how this allows for a refocusing of research process and aims away from outcome alone. The commentary highlights that, in common with arguments for the use of pluralistic data analysis strategies, this approach can bring new insight to phenomena not possible from one perspective. Both the FIND model and pluralistic data analysis strategies comprise multi-layered approaches in order to extend the applicability of the outcomes to different audiences by enabling a variety of meanings to emerge. The commentary considers how pluralistic approaches to gathering and exploring data can be particularly useful when exploring phenomena with little, no, or variable ontological consensus. The commentary seeks to show how such approaches provide flexibility and transparency in the pursuit of understanding of human behaviour but also charges the researcher to retain such flexibility in their curiosity.

Keywords:

• credibility
• evidence based practice
• pluralism

Acknowledgement

Grateful thanks to the reviewers who helped to strengthen this article and to the PQR Team members with whom much of the pluralistic work has been undertaken.