Provide an overview of the most typical research methods / approaches used for studying counselling / psychotherapy. Outcome research focuses on the results of counselling and had its primary focus is on the effectiveness of therapy. ‘…outcome research, which is research on the effect of therapy: whether it is helpful or unhelpful at alleviating the problems of the client’. (Reference page 282 in text book) Process research focuses on the activity of what the counsellor and client do and is usually qualitative. Like outcome research, process research can also focus on what makes effective therapy. ‘The other main kind of research is process research, which focuses on the elements or ingredients of effective therapy: what the counsellor …show more content…
This is because Quantitative research generally seeks to imitate natural sciences seeking to establish cause-effect relationships, therefore measurements and quantifications are required to determine the problems involved and the use of labs to exclude confounding variables. However qualitative research can contain quantitative research, to ascertain the effectiveness of an approach compared to another. Quantitative research is usually detached from participants and seeks to simplify complex issues, This can be achieved through questionnaires that the client completes, which will measure levels of emotions that the client feels which the research article ‘An exploration of the therapeutic process while using computerised cognitive behavior therapy’ does. It can also be achieved through physiological measurements on the client’s heart rate or skin responses or statistical observations; where the client is observed using certain words or where the client can be observed using non-verbal behaviour. Quantitative research projects can begin with a qualitative pilot study in order to understand which questions are relevant in a questionnaire. …show more content…
However unlike quantitative methods, qualitative approaches do not look for cause-effect relationships. Instead this approach examines meaning-making among people through language, how the client talks about their depression and through discourse analysis where the use of labels is explored with the client and how they are constructed in society. However due to the complexities of humans this approach to research can be unreliable and if rigorous ‘scientific’ criteria are applied then most qualitative studies would fail because of this. Weaknesses in this approach such as defining ‘family’ or ‘depression’ can leave the results of this approach undetermined in these areas as they are too complex to simplify. How someone describes ‘family and ‘depression’ to mean to them will mean something different to someone else, depending on their interpretation and based on their beliefs, culture and interpretations. Questionnaires can also be open to interpretation and not appear as reliable as they seem, ultimately leaving the causality difficult to determine, such as in the research paper ‘An exploration of the therapeutic process while using computerised cognitive behavior therapy’ where it states‘Participants completed a preliminary questionnaire to assess their suitability for the study’, (reference article). Therefore this could
Miller and Wilson. (1983) cited in Drummond,A. (1998). Research Methods For Therapists, 1ST edition, Stanley Thornes Ltd, United Kingdom
Sheperis, C. J., Young, J. S., & Daniels, M. H. (2010). Counseling research: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Boston: Pearson.
Research is defined as systematic investigation in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions (OUP, 2014). The biopsychosocial model has already been described.
The 18-year-old student from Illinois State High School, Kevin was referred to the student counselling service by his football coach. The concerns were that Kevin was having difficulties focusing and playing well, with generalised issues about low mood. Additionally, Kevin has a diagnosis of major depressive disorder where feelings of inadequacy and a perception of worthlessness are the presenting themes.
This essay is a reflective evaluation of the skills to counselling applied to the low self-confidence and anxiety a pregnant woman goes through and the impact it’s having on her marriage. This essay will contain reflections of verbatim examples from during the counselling session in which Humarah is the patient and I am the counsellor. The purpose of this essay is to reflect upon the use of counselling skills, which I have applied to a scenario as part of the roleplay with the goal of establishing a therapeutic relationship. It will give an analysis of the skills used, as well as a critical evaluation of their effectiveness. A discussion of how I applied these skills as well as the areas of possible improvement supported by relevant literature.
Outcome based practice is a process that has a beneficial impact on the individual’s life. It can be an action taken or a service delivered. Outcome based approaches place the needs of the individual at the center of the service they receive.
The remaining 22 percent was attributed to unknown factors. Even with the variance in percentages, both studies highlight the importance that client factors and the therapeutic relationship provide to the overall outcome of therapy. Regardless, theoretical knowledge is important, as it provides the therapist with the tools to intervene at the right time in the right way to each client’s issues. Evidence-based treatments provide therapists with a guide to meet their client’s individual needs, assess their progress, and adjust interventions as needed.
According to Smith (1983) quantitative research is to explain, predict and develop laws that can be universally applied and Qualitative research is the interpretation and understanding of what people give to their situation. The researchers clearly stated the purpose of their studies, aim, objectiv...
7. Woolfe R. & Dryden W. ( 1996) (ed.) Handbook of Counselling Psychology, Sage Publications: UK
Gelo, O., Braakmann, D., & Benetka, G. (2008). Quantitative and Qualitative Research: Beyond the Debate. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science, 42(3), 266-290. doi:10.1007/s12124-008-9078-3
Quantitative research uses a deductive reasoning also known as top to bottom or (top down approach) starting with a theory, then the hypothesis, followed by observation and finally confirmation , going from the general to the more specific. Quantitative methods use numbers and statistics to show the results of the research exercise and mainly are concerned with mathematics and statistics. In quantitative research there are levels of measurement being firstly nominal which are names of things followed by ordinal sequence of things, interval where the sequence has equal distance between each item, and ratio where there is a true zero (Alston & Bowles, 2003, p. 7-9).
In summation I feel that this study is true to a certain point what was not put to study was the levels of problem the clients were facing and to determine the level of improvement. I feel that this act should only take place when clients have minor problem and not major problem. In addition, if a therapist decided to disclose personal information it should be in the interest of the client and not the therapist
We believe it is clear that both qualitative and quantitative research have many benefits and many costs. In some situations the qualitative approach will be more appropriate; in other situations the quantitative approach will be more appropriate.
Quantitative studies are primarily numbers based. They deal with large cohort groups as well as analyze large amounts of data. “A quantitative researcher typically tries to measure variables in some way, perhaps by using commonly accepted measures of the physical world (e.g., rulers, thermometers, oscilloscopes) or carefully designed measures of psychological characteristics or behaviors (e.g., tests, questionnaires, rating scales)” (Leedy & Ormrod, 2010, p. 94).
...s over an extended period of time (Smith and Davis, 2010); (4) phenomenological research, involves understanding the lived experiences by studying a small number of subjects through extensive and prolonged engagement to develop pattern and relationships of meaning; (5) narrative research, in which the researcher studies the lives of individuals through stories about their lives (Creswell, 2009); and (6) participatory action research, in which the goal of the researcher is to evaluate and understand the impact of some social program on the community (Smith and Davis, 2010).