The Integration of Applied Research Into a School-Based Doctoral Internship

An important aim of psychology training is the regular integration of research into practice. Specific to school contexts, a number of barriers to this aim have been identified. In an attempt at bridging the research-to-practice gap, a research group (RG) was developed within a school-based doctoral internship program. This formalized experience offered interns the opportunity to participate in a number of activities, including didactics, and individual and group projects. This article discusses the RG and qualitative findings from interviews with a cohort of interns who had participated in the RG. Interns discussed a range of benefits, including understanding the value of data within practice and the importance of seeing program evaluation projects from start to finish. Interns also discussed time and organization factors related to the RG. Based on the data, implications and recommendations are offered for the development of similar experiences.