title: A critical interpretive synthesis of the most commonly used self-report measures in Australian mental health research.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To critically examine the self-report measures most commonly used in Australian mental health research in the last 10 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A critical interpretive synthesis was conducted using seven outcome measures that were identified as most popular in 43 studies from three mental health journals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results suggest that the amount and type of language used in outcome measures is important in both increasing the accuracy of the data collected and fostering positive experiences of data collection for participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicate that many of the measures most often used in Australian mental health research may not align with the current contemporary philosophy of mental health clinical practice in Australia.
authors.affiliation: PhD Candidate, National Music Therapy Research Unit, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia bibb.jennifer@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bibb
authors.affiliation: Professor, National Music Therapy Research Unit, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Felicity A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Professor, Head of Music Therapy, National Music Therapy Research Unit, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skewes McFerran
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012107:Research Design; D057566:Self Report / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: mental health research; outcome measures; self-report