Final answer:
The student described is likely conducting a randomized controlled trial, a research method used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments like humanistic psychotherapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student in the question is most likely conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT), a study design commonly used in research to test the efficacy of treatments, including psychotherapy based on humanistic psychology. Humanism in psychology, pioneered by psychologists such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, focuses on an individual's capacity for self-actualization and personal growth. This perspective contrasts with the deterministic views of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. RCTs ensure that the treatment effects are evaluated in an objective manner, often using a placebo in the control group to account for the placebo effect, which can confound results.