ABSTRACT
Researchers do not always agree with one another, even when looking at the same research. The cause may be ambiguous findings in a study that are open to interpretation or, questions arising from the threats to validity from methodological problems. This chapter describes such a difference of opinion about the meaning of findings between two outstanding groups of family researchers: John Gottman and his collaborators, and Scott Stanley, Tom Bradbury, and Howard Markman. Their debate is instructive not only for what it tells us about marital processes but also for understanding the kinds of methodological issues raised. The chapter provides an example of how science progresses through iteration between findings and discussion of the meaning of those findings, followed up with further research that sheds more light on the question in focus. The researchers agree that couple therapy should be strongly informed by science and that there is great value in helping couples learn the skills needed in marriage.
