THE ULM TEXTBANK

Since 1968 one of our major research efforts consists in establishing a methodology for performing psychoanalytic process research. Within t his frame tape-recording of psychoanalytic long-term treatments consti tuted an essential methodical step inevitably leading to the productio n of a large collection of verbatim transcripts. We gradually and inad vertently realized the need for a major computerized databank to assis t our own research. With support of the German Research Foundation we started in 1980 with the development of the Ulm Textbank Management Sy stem. While realizing the system it became obvious that such a databan k would serve as well other researchers involved in process research w hen analyzing verbatim material. The final shape of the systems thus w as strongly influenced by the orientation towards a variety of users a nd methodological approaches. Meanwhile this task is completed and the Ulm Textbank, as it is known, is available as a new unique tool for p sychotherapy research.