The Use of Theory in Family Therapy Research: A Content Analysis of Family Therapy Journals

Abstract

Ninety-five studies from Family Process and Journal of Marital and Family Therapy were evaluated with regard to their use of theory. While a majority of the articles were judged to use theory in either an explicit or an implicit manner, 42% did not appear to draw on theory in either the introductory or discussion sections. Studies that used qualitative methods appeared to use theory more frequently and explicitly than those using quantitative methods alone. Systems theory was found to be the most common conceptual framework, followed by feminism. We conclude that the link between theory and research in family therapy needs strengthening and suggest that the role of theory in family therapy be reexamined.

Explicit Reference to Theory: A Content Analysis of Two Prominent Human Development Journals

“…The clear majority of articles employed quantitative methods (94%). However, qualitative method articles in Taylor and Bagd's (2005) analysis used theoretical frameworks more frequently, consistent with Hawley and Geske's (2000) finding.…”

“…This finding, coupled with that of Lavee and Dollahite (1991), suggests that articles employing theory to frame research in the introduction/literature review and then extending or applying theory in the discussion were the exception, not the rule. Hawley and Geske (2000) concluded that the theory-research link is an ideal, but is lacking in empirical investigations in the family therapy field.…”

“…Similarly, Hawley and Geske (2000) adopted part of Lavee and Dollahite's (1991) method in their content analysis of theory in two family therapy journals. Hawley and Geske (2000) analyzed articles to determine whether the articles included theory explicitly and noted the theory's location (i.e., input, output, or both).…”

“…Hawley and Geske (2000) analyzed articles to determine whether the articles included theory explicitly and noted the theory's location (i.e., input, output, or both). The researchers also identified whether the study was quantitative or qualitative (or both) and found that qualitative studies employed theory the most.…”

“…JMF is the main interdisciplinary journal dedicated to family research (Nye, 1988) and "features original research and theory, research interpretation and reviews, and critical discussion concerning all aspects of marriage, other forms of close relationships, and families" (National Council of Family Relations, n.d.). Hawley and Geske (2000) also chose their two journals based on their flagship status in the field of Family Therapy.…”