In an attempt to identify a possible pathway to successful research in marriage and family therapy (MFT), publications of three eminent MFT researchers---James Alexander, John Gottman, and Howard Liddle---were content analyzed. These 208 journal articles, books, book chapters, and dissertations were examined for external factors and patterns across time.;Results supported the importance of doing clinical work, having a sustained research interest area, obtaining funding, and maximizing the utility of one's research samples. Implications and recommendations for future researchers, research training, career paths in clinical research, and further research are given. |