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The author discusses research methods in psychoanalysis and hopes to promote development of an international psychoanalytic research organization. Certain conditions hinder research in psychoanalysis. Customary scientific controls cannot be applied to analytic situations, and there is a tendency not to apply such controls as are available. Candidates are selected as therapists rather than as research workers. Certain elements in analytic training are conducive to conformity. Attrition of proved theory and adherence to slogans results from these conditions. Therapy is confused with research.
As to methods of research, the author draws attention to the need for definition of basic concepts and the lack of defined units of statistical comparison. Standards for the control of interpretation and statistics of results and follow-up investigations are needed. Such studies would strengthen established theory and shed light on problems of duration and termination of analysis and on technical procedure. All psychoanalytic groups should coöperate, with complete frankness about results. Establishment of special research committees in each branch of the International Association staffed by research personnel with some security of tenure is suggested. Research students and teachers should be selected and trained.
The urgency of the need for organized systematic research and the dangers inherent in its lack are stressed throughout the paper.