The experimental method, the single-case design, and the mixed design all have high internal validity. However, only the experimental method and single-case design allow an investigator to make causal inferences.

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Various research methods commonly used by clinical psychologists each have different strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Research Methods

Trull , T. J., &amp; Prinstein , M. J. (2013). Research Methods in Clinical Psychology . In Clinical Psychology (Eighth, pp. 93–124). Textbook, Wadsworth Cengage Learning . 

Clinical Psychology Eighth Edition 

Examples of Research Method Strengths and Weaknesses

A clinical psychologist observes that clients who report higher levels of daily exercise also report lower levels of depressive symptoms. Based on this observation, the psychologist concludes that prescribing exercise is an effective treatment for depression and begins recommending it to all new clients with this diagnosis. Critically evaluate the psychologist's conclusion. In your evaluation, identify the primary weakness of the research approach used and propose a different research design that could more definitively test the conclusion.

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