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Comment on Black's (1993) article, "comparing genuine and simulated suicide notes: a new perspective"
G M Diamond1, D L More, A G Hawkins
1Counseling Psychology Department, Temple University, Phildelphia, Pennsylvania 19122.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
|February 1, 1995
Summary
This critique examines Stephen T. Black's (1993) study on suicide notes, finding its methodology and theoretical basis flawed. The analysis suggests halting such research due to its uninterpretable nature.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Criminology
Background:
- Critique of Stephen T. Black's (1993) study comparing genuine and simulated suicide notes.
- Addresses a sampling error correction from Shneidman and Farberow (1957).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the theoretical and methodological soundness of Black's (1993) suicide note comparison study.
- To identify critical flaws rendering the study's findings uninterpretable.
Main Methods:
- Critical analysis of the operational design and methodology employed in Black's (1993) study.
- Examination of the lack of theoretical background, hypotheses, operationalized constructs, and tested predictions.
Main Results:
- Black's (1993) study, despite correcting a sampling error, lacks a theoretical framework and clear hypotheses.
- The study fails to operationalize constructs or test predictions, making its design fundamentally flawed and uninterpretable.
Conclusions:
- The methodological and theoretical deficiencies in Black's (1993) study render its conclusions invalid.
- Recommends cessation of suicide note research conducted with similar flawed methodologies.