This subject assists students to demonstrate that they have the capacity for critical thinking, soundness of judgment, and level of comprehension equivalent to that expected of candidates for research degrees. Completing this subject should improve clinical skills as it develops critical thinking and provides the ability to understand research journal articles on psychotherapeutic outcomes. The subject assists in the development of skills necessary for the mounting and implementation of research programs in applied psychotherapy, and promotes understanding of key concepts regulating the research environment. Students undertaking the subject are required to demonstrate an understanding of the background issues involved in the scientific process.