Connecting data, knowledge, and people has been a central theme throughout my career, spanning multiple fields and industries. With over 25 years of experience in data sciences, analytics, and artificial intelligence, I have recently redirected my focus toward the social sciences. A deep appreciation for the transformative impact of clinical psychology has driven this transition. Through personal and professional experiences, I have observed the profound therapeutic benefits of evidence-based psychological approaches. Experiencing firsthand the therapeutic benefits of clinical approaches to mental well-being, I felt compelled to contribute to this field.
As a doctoral student at Walden University, I am integrating my professional expertise with academic inquiry to advance the understanding of psychological science. My research and pursuits align with Walden University’s mission of preparing scholar-practitioners to serve their communities. This blog will serve as an intellectual space for exploring contemporary and classical psychological insights while maintaining a commitment to academic rigor and critical reflection. Journaling these efforts will be a personal vehicle to carry forward the alma mater’s mission of best-preparing practitioners to serve their communities as “scholarly, reflective practitioners and agents of positive social change” (Walden University, 2024).
My philosophical orientation primarily aligns with critical realism, which suggests that reality exists independently of human perception, yet our understanding of it is shaped by interpretation and empirical investigation of observable phenomena that challenge quantification (Haig, 2024; Haig & Evers, 2016; Willis, 2023; Yucel, 2018). While psychology seeks to examine and explain mental and behavioral processes, the frameworks through which these processes are understood continue to evolve with new research and methodological advancements (Burkholder et al., 2020). As new empirical evidence emerges, psychological knowledge is refined, reinforcing the necessity of an open-minded and analytical approach to human behavior, which your author is philosophically aligned with and committed to representing (Burkholder et al., 2020; Haig, 2024; Haig & Evers, 2016; Willis, 2023; Yucel, 2018).
This blog will examine the intersection of psychology, data and evidence, and human behavior by engaging with theoretical discourse and applied research. Through this platform, I aim to foster a deeper understanding of the evolving nature of psychological science and its implications for both individual well-being and broader societal structures.
References:
Burkholder, G. J., Cox, K. A., Crawford, L. M., & Hitchcock, J. H. (Eds.), (2020). Research designs and methods: An applied guide for the scholar-practitioner. Sage.
Haig, B. D. (2024). Should psychology adopt Bhaskar’s critical realist philosophy of science? Theory & Psychology, 34(5), 585–590.
Haig, B. D., & Evers, C. W. (2016). Realist inquiry in social science. Sage.
Walden University. (2024). Vision, mission, and goals. In 2024–2025 Walden University student handbook. https://academics.waldenu.edu/handbook/vision-mission-goals
Willis, M. E. H. (2023). Critical realism and qualitative research in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 20(2), 265–288.
Yucel, R. (2018). Scientists’ ontological and epistemological views about science from the perspective of critical realism. Science & Education, 27(5–6), 407–433.
Your post is helpful in understanding your path to this current part of your journey. Thank you for your thorough and interesting insights.