This text provides a rich, culturally sensitive presentation of current research techniques in counseling. Author Robert J. Wright introduces the theory and research involved in research design, measurement, and assessment with an appealingly clear writing style. He addresses ways to meet the requirements of providing the data needed to facilitate evidence-based therapy and interventions with clients, and also explains methods for the evaluation of counseling programs and practices. This comprehensive resource covers a broad range of research methods topics including qualitative research, action research, quantitative research including, sampling and probability, and probability-based hypothesis testing. Coverage of both action research and mixed methods research designs are also included.

`A new book by John McLeod is always a treat and, like good qualitative research, takes the reader by surprise, and shows him or her something new. The revelation to me in this book is its focus on philosophy (rather than psychology) and on John's insistence that qualitative research is rooted in a mixture of phenomenology and hermeneutics. Those of us engaged in qualitative research are challenged to underpin our work with a deeper awareness of relevant philosophy with Chapters 2, 3 and 4 offering a good starting point. This book might not be seen then as being for the novice researcher who, in any case, would be best advised to start with one of John's earlier books: Doing Counselling Research (SAGE,1994) or Practitioner Research in Counselling (SAGE,1999). However, many parts of this book are essential reading for those beginning qualitative research. The first half of Chapter 9, for example, `How to Do Qualitative Research?' is rich material, as is Chapter 6, which explores grounded theory, referred to by John as the 2market leader2 in qualitative research. Chapter 10 takes a critical stance on randomized controlled trials before arguing the case for using qualitative outcomes measures: "Qualitative interviews appear to be, at present, the most sensitive method for the evaluation of the harmful effects of therapy and also for recording its greatest successes. The standardized self-report methods used in randomized trials appear both to inhibit criticism of therapists and reporting of deterioration and also give little scope for clients to describe the hugely positive transformational experiences that can sometimes take place in counselling". `This book deeply addresses what it means to do qualitative research into counselling and psychotherapy with plenty for the novice researcher and even more for those already deeply immersed in qualitative research' - William West, Counselling and Psychotherapy Research Qualitative methods are particularly suited to answering the kinds of questions that counsellors and psychotherapists need to ask about their practice. Qualitative Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy has therefore been written to help researchers find their way through the range of methodologies and techniques available to them. Leading expert, and bestselling author John McLeod takes the reader through each stage of the research process, explaining techniques for gathering data, writing up the study and evaluating the findings. Each qualitative method is clearly described and critically assessed in terms of its own strengths and weaknesses. Examples from actual research studies are given to show how the methods work in practice. The need to show how and why counselling works has led to an explosion of research activity. For all those involved in research - whether as part of academic study or in practice this book will be essential reading. As an introduction to qualitative methods, this it is certain to be widely recommended on courses in counselling and counselling psychology and will also be of interest to those who provide counselling in other professional areas such as nursing and social work.

The text introduces reader to the basics of how to do research-from formulating a problem, doing a literature review, selecting a design, collecting and analyzing data, through reporting results. It also provides readers with the information they need to become intelligent consumers of published research. Covering a broad range of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods designs, as well as action research and program evaluation, the text presents the most common types of research used in the field of counseling.

This introductory text for counselors-in-training and emerging researchers focuses on research methodology, design, measurement, and evaluation. Richard Balkin and David Kleist explain the primary research methods used in counseling while emphasizing the importance of ethics and multicultural issues, demonstrating a professional counselor identity within the framework of research, and outlining the specific approaches used to inform counseling practice. The book contains four parts: The Essence of Research in the Counseling Profession, Quantitative Research Designs, Qualitative Research Designs, and Practice-Based Research. Key features include case examples that bridge the technicalities of research and the realities of practice; strategies for designing research; guidelines for counselors considering topics for a thesis, a dissertation, or the development of an initial study; examples of current counseling research articles; and suggested activities to enhance understanding of the material in each chapter and facilitate classroom discussion. *Requests for digital versions from ACA can be found on www.wiley.com. *To purchase print copies, please visit the ACA website here *Reproduction requests for material from books published by ACA should be directed to [email protected]

This second edition represents the thorough revision necessary to accurately reflect the variation and wealth of research methodologies used in contemporary rehabilitation counseling research. As with the previous edition, this new second edition is divided into ten chapters. Chapter 1 establishes the theoretical underpinnings of social scientific inquiry, provides a foundation in the philosophical, epistemological, and methodological considerations related to the design and execution of rehabilitation research, and discusses the broad purposes of research. Chapter 2 addresses the issues that are preparatory to designing and evaluating this research, the sources of research ideas, and translating these ideas into research hypothesis, identifying variables, and sampling issues. Chapter 3 discusses key measurement and statistical concepts used in the quantitative research tradition, including reliability and validity of measurements instruments, the purposes of descriptive and inferential statistics in analyzing numeric data, and provides an expanded section on methods of statistical analysis. Chapters 4 and 5 reviews ethical issues and guidelines for the design, implementation, and reporting of rehabilitation research, drawing valid inferences from results, and generalizing findings from the research sample to the target population. Chapters 6, 7, and 8 review the wide range of different quantitative, qualitative, and integrative approaches to doing rehabilitation research, and provides examples from the recent rehabilitation literature. Other topics include the intervention/stimulus relationship, descriptive studies in the quantitative paradigm, and qualitative methods of rehabilitation research. Chapter 9 presents a published research article section by section, annotates the components and composition of a research report, and provides a protocol that students and practitioners can use to evaluate the technical soundness and scientific merits of published research articles. The concluding chapter addresses future trends in rehabilitation counseling research in relation to fruitful topic areas and methodologies as they apply to counselors, administrators, policymakers, educators, researchers, people with disabilities, and consumer advocates. This book provides the 'basics' that one would need to begin conducting a research investigation.

The Counselor as Practitioner-Researcher: A Practical Guide to Research Methods is designed to help readers integrate a researcher's perspective and research methodology into their professional practice. Approaching practice as a practitioner-researcher not only facilitates the gathering of data and the drawing of useful conclusions, but also results in more ethical and effective practice decisions. Section I provides readers with an overview of the need and value of research in support of the counseling profession and as a basis for sound and successful practice decisions. In Section II, the fundamentals of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed designs are reviewed. Section III highlights specific designs and their value to the counselor as practitioner-researcher, including between group, within subject, action research, and case study designs. The text concludes with an extensive case illustration of counselor research and the steps necessary to developing a specific research plan. The Counselor as Practitioner-Researcher assists those in training and those in practice to not only become informed consumers of research, but also "doers" of research as it guides their practice decisions, affords measures of accountability, and supports program evaluation.

Quell any fears you may have about science and research design with this clear introduction to the basics of research design today. With enlightening examples and illustrations drawn from the counseling literature, RESEARCH DESIGN IN COUNSELING, 4th Edition fully addresses the most common issues that counseling researchers encounter. The authors' accessible approach provides you with an understanding of the various types of research, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Filled with helpful examples that utilize a broad variety of research designs, this book provides the fundamentals of conducting research while providing clear instruction on the strengths and weaknesses of different designs, choosing variables, ethics, writing, and publishing your work in the top professional counseling journals.

Research Methods for Counseling: An Introduction provides a rich, culturally sensitive presentation of current research techniques in counseling. Author Robert J. Wright introduces the theory and research involved in research design, measurement, and assessment with an appealingly clear writing style. He addresses ways to meet the requirements of providing the data needed to facilitate evidence-based therapy and interventions with clients, and also explains methods for the evaluation of counseling programs and practices. This comprehensive resource covers a broad range of research methods topics including qualitative research, action research, quantitative research including, sampling and probability, and probability-based hypothesis testing. Coverage of both action research and mixed methods research designs are also included.

Case-based knowledge forms an essential element of the evidence base for counselling and psychotherapy practice. This book provides the reader with a unique introduction to the conceptual and practical tools required to conduct high quality case study research that is grounded in their own therapy practice or training. Drawing on real-life cases at the heart of counselling and psychotherapy practice, John McLeod makes complex debates and concepts engaging and accessible for the trainees and practitioners at all levels, and from all theoretical orientations. Key topics covered in the book include: - the role of case studies in the development of theory, practice and policy in counselling and psychotherapy - strategies for responding to moral and ethical issues in therapy case study research - practical tools for collecting case data - ′how-to-do-it′ guides for carrying out different types of case study - team-based case study research for practitioners and students - questions, issues and challenges that may have been raised for readers through their study. Concrete examples, points for reflection and discussion, and recommendations for further reading will enable readers to use the book as a basis for carrying out their own case investigation. All trainees in counselling, psychotherapy and clinical psychology are required to complete case reports, and this is the only textbook to cover the topic in real depth. The book will also be valuable to people who intend to use existing case studies to inform their practice, and it will help experienced practitioners to generate publishable case reports.

A landmark publication, The Handbook of Counseling surveys and defines the field of counselling - how it has developed, the current state of the discipline and profession, and where this dynamic field is going. The editors and contributors are leaders in the field, and book is sponsored by Chi Sigma Iota, the US national counselling honour society and a division of the American Counseling Association. Comprehensive in scope, the volume covers: the counselling profession, including its emergence and current status; the major approaches to counselling; settings, including community, school, and family; the different interventions including individual, work, career, and multicultural counselling; education and supervision; research strategies; critical and cutting-edge issues such as responses to social and professional diversity, computer applications, and the state of independent counselling practice