The Logical Requirements of Research into Schizophrenia

Calculations based on Bellak's (1958) review of research into schizophrenia suggest that at that time well over 5,000 papers had been published. An index count of Psychological Abstracts since 1960 indicates that papers on schizophrenia have been produced at the rate of about 300 per year with a growth rate of 10 per cent. per annum . Yet few, viewing the problem of schizophrenia in perspective, feel that any kind of break-through has been made, and many would agree that the field is grossly confused. It may well be that the traditional cry that “more research is needed” misses the point, and that much of the research which has been carried out is of relatively little value because of our failure to meet the logical requirements for effective research within the area.