ABSTRACT
This brief article is written in the light of the recent establishment of the Research Committee (RC) within the UKCP and the continuing discussion about what constitutes (scientific) evidence in respect of psychotherapy and its effectiveness. Also, one aim is to stimulate further, relevant discussion. The views expressed here are my own and not necessarily shared by other members of the RC. Owing to different philosophical and political reasons, there are several strands of research philosophy that challenge the traditional, quantitative ("positive" "scientific", "hypothetico-deductive", or "modern") approach that psychology/ psychotherapy developed largely under the influence of advances in "hard sciences", particularly classical physics. The challenges come from some qualitative researchers known collectively as "new paradigm" or "postmodern".
