“Ghosts at the banquet” - Scholarly Commons Home

Chapter Two: METHODOLOGY
This dissertation is a modified systematic review using a qualitative approach
appropriate to the context of evidence based practice commonly used in
psychotherapy. As defined by Dickson (1999) “systematic review is the
process of locating, appraising and synthesising evidence from scientific
studies in order to provide informative, empirical answers to scientific research
questions” (Hamer & Collinson, 2005, p.44).
The purpose of this research is to review the literature around what it is in the
therapeutic relationship that supports and encourages movement towards
aliveness in the client with Anorexia Nervosa. In defining the boundaries of
what is known and what is not known it is hoped this review will support
practitioners to resolve clinical issues. In this way a systematic review can aid
in defining future research, though it is never a replacement for clinical
reasoning (Mulrow & Cook, 1998).
Research question: How best might the therapist attend to the issue of
movement towards aliveness in the anorexic client?
This dissertation follows the key components of a systematic review process as
outlined by Hamer and Collinson (2005).
1. Definition of the research question
2. Methods for identifying research studies
3. Selection of studies for inclusion
15