The local clinical scientist, evidence-based practice, and personality assessment.

The local clinical scientist model was devised for clinical practitioners including those engaged in personality assessment. It emphasizes the importance of local data, the consideration of each clinical encounter as a mini-research project, and the incorporation of existing research data where relevant. It is consistent with, but goes beyond, evidence-based practice. There is a need to guard against the operation of cognitive heuristics for the model to be applied effectively.