THE DISSERTATION IN PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMS .1. A SURVEY OF CLINICAL DIRECTORS ON REQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICES

This study examined dissertation policies and practices in 40 Vail-model, clinical psychology programs. A survey of their training directors revealed that 90% of programs required a dissertation, but only 25% dictated that the dissertation be empirical. Traditional experimental and correlational designs accounted for 66% of completed dissertations, and 34% reflected less traditional methodologies. "All but the dissertation" (ABD) rates averaged 24% two years after students' expected graduation. Dissertation methodologies were unrelated to ABD rates. Results were discussed with regard to potential obstacles to dissertation research and the need for training programs to encourage appropriate and innovative methodologies to answer relevant questions in the field of clinical psychology.