Research Teams

The 'research team' is the formal structure by which students join with faculty members to develop research skills. Emphasis is placed on implementing research projects, writing skills, data collection and analysis and preparation of findings for professional presentation and or publication. Additionally, the team structure facilitates students in developing and carrying out various projects.

Dr. Sarah Sifers discuss research with her team.

Each student is assigned to a Clinical Research Team which is administered by a member of the clinical faculty. Students may also participate on other departmental faculty members research team as time and interest allow. Clinical Research Teams meet regularly (usually weekly) to organize and coordinate projects. Academic credit for participation is applied to meet the program's "Research Clinical Psychology" requirement.

Dr. Buchanan's Clinical Research Team

Focus: Behavioral assessment and intervention with cognitively impaired older adults.

Research areas:

1. Stimulus preference assessments,
2. Functional analysis,
3. Behavior management,
4. Long-term care staff training.

Dr. Sifers' Clinical Research Team

Focus: 1) Research protective factors, stressors, and their impact on child behavioral and emotional functioning. 2) Research the ethical practices of psychologists and their implications

Research areas:

1. family environment, social support, and spirituality as protective factors for children exposed to multiple stressful life events,
2. Cultural competence, Reporting methodology, and Consumer issues

Dr. Houlihan's Clinical Research Team

Focus: Research in interventions with children with behavior problems.

Research areas:

1. Fears and phobias,
2. Noncompliance,
3. Tourette's disorder,
4. Single case research designs

Dr. Ries' Clinical Research Team

Focus: Adult anxiety disorders.

Research areas: Assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders such as:

1. Social phobia,
2. Dental phobia,
3. Math phobia