Research in Counseling
Research is important in the field of counseling because it can help us to understand the profession, shed light on the theories and concepts, and to determine if the application of theories and concepts actually improve mental health. Research is the best mechanism for determining if something is effective and if so, what parts and why.
Write a 1,000-1,250-word paper about the importance of research in the field of counseling.
Include the following in your paper:
The relationship between research and program evaluation in counseling
The roles and responsibilities of researchers in the counseling profession including a discussion about ethical and cultural considerations
Describe relevant ethical and cultural strategies for conducting, interpreting, and reporting the results of research.
At least two scholarly resources to support your paper
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
Research in Counseling
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Research in Counseling
Research refers to a studious investigation conducted to discover new concepts, interpret facts, or apply new theories. In counseling, research is used to provide evidence for specific issues that can be successfully treated by therapy. Research also facilitates quality improvement since the findings are obtained to establish the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions (West-Olatunji, 2022). The purpose of this essay is to discuss research in counseling by assessing the association between research and program evaluation, the role of researchers, and ethical and cultural strategies for conducting research.
The Relationship between Research and Program Evaluation in Counseling
The main purpose of research is to gather new knowledge regarding specific topics in a particular field. In most cases, researchers focus on accessing information from a sample population and generalizing it to the rest of the population (West-Olatunji, 2022). The evaluation process refers to the systematic collection and analysis of information regarding the effectiveness, impact, and efficiency of specific programs. Only program users are involved in the evaluation process and the quality of the program is assessed by stakeholders who use the findings to make decisions (American Counseling Association, n.d.).
In counseling, research and program evaluation are related in that program evaluation is regarded as a discipline of applied research. Evaluative conclusions are made after systematic collection of data and analysis. Program evaluation is valuable for counselors since it allows for the monitoring of therapy interventions and programs. Such evaluations can be conducted by counselors on a small-scale basis and the findings can be used to improve the quality of intervention programs provided to clients. For example, when assessing the effectiveness of a school counseling program, data collection methods such as surveys and interviews may be used and the findings analyzed to make conclusions. The evaluation also ensures accountability in the counseling profession since it ensures that counselors keep accurate records of their client’s progress and facilitates monitoring of the client experience during the intervention process (American Counseling Association, n.d.).
The Roles and Responsibilities of Researchers in the Counseling Profession
Researchers within the counseling profession are responsible for increasing empirical evidence for the profession. They are also responsible for engaging in research that is based on the basic tenets of the counseling profession. Counseling research should reflect values such as resilience, empowerment, and prevention. In most cases, clinical research is marginalizing and deficit oriented. Therefore, researchers are tasked with the role of conducting research that reflects and aligns with the unique disciplinary perspectives of the counseling profession. Researchers are responsible for determining the best data collection methods and selecting participants without bias. They also analyze the findings, present them, make conclusions, and describe recommendations for the counseling profession based on the findings obtained. Researchers within the counseling profession are also tasked with advancing the profession by discovering more effective therapy frameworks and methods for specific population groups. Researchers provide counselors with practical knowledge which can be applied to clients. They also advocate for clients by promoting the use of interventions that promote positive outcomes. Counselors also work with clients facing issues such as marginalization and oppression. Therefore, counseling researchers advocate for social action against such issues by exposing them and their impacts on people’s lives (West-Olatunji, 2022).
There are many ethical and cultural considerations that should be followed in counseling research. The main ethical principles that guide counseling research include informed consent, voluntary participation, and confidentiality. Researchers must ensure that they obtain written consent from participants and also keep their private information confidential regardless of the data collection method used. They must also provide participants with comprehensive information about the research and allow them to participate voluntarily. In some cases, there may be a significant risk of harm for the participants. Researchers must ensure that they inform participants about them and find ways of minimizing them (West & Byrne, 2009).
Cultural competence is critical for researchers working within the counseling profession because they work with diverse participants. Researchers should be prepared to deal with issues such as language barriers and must avoid imposing their values, beliefs, and behavior patterns on the participants. They must also consider that some participants may distrust mental health professionals hence they should not coerce them to participate in research. Additionally, they should always respect the traditions and customs followed by participants and focus on preserving the sanctity and integrity of their cultures (O’Hara et al., 2021).
Relevant Ethical and Cultural Strategies for Conducting, Interpreting, and Reporting the Results of Research
When conducting research, the main ethical strategies that must be followed include openness, objectivity, confidentiality, and protecting human subjects. Researchers must avoid bias when conducting the research and must always be prepared to share their findings by publishing journal articles or reports that help further the field of knowledge. They should also respect everything that is said in confidence and ensure that all research minimizes harm while maximizing benefits to stakeholders such as participants and the general population. Researchers should always follow informed consent rules including providing participants with information regarding research procedures, the purpose of research, and expected duration. Moreover, they should also inform participants that they have the right to withdraw from research when they want to and that there are situations where confidentiality may be broken such as when coding data. When reporting results, it is important to ensure that the work is free from research misconduct or plagiarism and that the reports contain an accurate representation of the findings (West & Byrne, 2009).
Cultural strategies for conducting research include learning how to position or situate oneself in a culturally appropriate way within the research setting especially when working with participants from different cultures. Researchers could increase their credibility with participants by learning the local language and seeking cultural knowledge before beginning the research. Cultural knowledge ensures that researchers can appropriately interpret the findings they obtain (Pelzang & Hutchinson, 2018).
Conclusion
Research is very important in counseling since it facilitates the development of new treatment strategies and the evaluation of the effectiveness of existing strategies. Researchers help to increase the knowledge base of the counseling profession. During the research process, ethical considerations that must be followed include confidentiality, minimizing the risk of harm, voluntary participation, and informed consent. Researchers working in the counseling profession must also demonstrate cultural competence by respecting the values and beliefs of the participants.
References
American Counseling Association. Introducing the Accountability Bridge Model: A Program Evaluation Framework for School Counselors. https://www.counseling.org/resources/library/vistas/vistas06/vistas06.46.pdf.
O’Hara, C., Chang, C., & Giordano, A. (2021). Multicultural Competence in Counseling Research: The Cornerstone of Scholarship. Journal of Counseling & Development, 99(2), 200-209. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12367
Pelzang, R., & Hutchinson, A. (2018). Establishing Cultural Integrity in Qualitative Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 17(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917749702
West, W., & Byrne, J. (2009). Some ethical concerns about counselling research. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 22(3), 309-318. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070903285668
West-Olatunji, C. (2022). Research in counseling – Counseling Today. https://ct.counseling.org/2013/11/research-in-counseling/#.