Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5 from the Frost (2011) e-book.

For this discussion you will take on the role of a clinical psychologist treating clients for depression. You are interested in doing research on effective treatments for a chronic form of depression called dysthymia. In the DSM-5, it is referred to as persistent depressive disorder. The DSM-5 is listed in your recommended resources, and details regarding the disorder can be found in section 300.4(F34.1). 

In your review of the current materials, you find that most of the previous research on this disorder has been done using quantitative methods. Identify an aspect of this topic you feel should be studied using qualitative methods. Apply the scientific method to this research issue and develop a specific research question. Compare the characteristics and appropriate uses of various qualitative research designs and choose an appropriate qualitative  design for this research question. Create a feasible research design that includes plans for the sample selection, data collection, and data analysis. Apply ethical principles to your design by explaining how this type of qualitative design may affect the participants in your study and how you will deal with sociocultural issues.

Guided Response: Review several of your colleagues’ posts and respond to at least two of your peers by 11:59 p.m. on Day 7 of the week. You are encouraged to post your required replies earlier in the week to promote more meaningful interactive discourse in this discussion. 

Comment on the suitability of your peer’s proposed research question(s) and research design. Has your colleague chosen the most appropriate qualitative design to answer the question(s) posed? Why, or why not? What other design option(s), besides the one you selected for your own post, would you recommend to study the proposed research question? Review the ethical issues your colleague raised in his or her post and suggest other issues that should be considered when conducting this research.

Continue to monitor the discussion forum until 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) on Day 7 of the week and respond to anyone who replies to your initial post.

Carefully review the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate this Discussion Thread.