“…A number of family therapists claim that quantitative empirical research is impossible or meaningless with families (Allman, 1990;Auerswald, 1987;Colapinto, 1979;Dell, 1991;T o m , 1983,1986; others have offered qualitative and other methodologies as alternatives (Atkinson, Heath, & Chenail, 1991;Tyndale, 1990). Several authors (e.g., Coyne, 1982;Coyne & Ransom, 1982;Gurman, 1983aGurman, , 1983bKniskern, 1983;Shields, 1986aShields, , 1986b have criticized the assumptions about systems theory and research underlying the arguments of those who eschew quantitative research. Liddle (1991) makes the case that without a strong empirical basis, "family therapy still works too much at the margins" (p 15; italics added).…”