ABSTRACT
Psychological research has been published since the nineteenth century, quite possibly much earlier, depending on how wide a definition of psychology use. Although research has increased knowledge of human behaviour and has produced some robust findings, it is important to be cautious about claims made from even the most rigorously conducted research. The largest research trials only have thousands of research participants; more commonly tens or hundreds of people are selected to be a ‘representative sample’ of a larger population of interest. This research will provide useful information about depression in general, and depression as experienced by that particular sample and people similar to them. Discovering useful information depends on asking the right question. Sometimes researchers get lucky and ask good questions early on, but it can take a long time for a useful question to be asked. This research led to a change in the law, making children’s evidence admissible without the previous restrictions.
