Counseling and Educational Research: Evaluation and Application

by Rick A. Houser

Overview

Counseling and Educational Research: Evaluation and Application prepares readers to be good consumers and evaluators of research. Using concrete examples from published articles, author Rick A. Houser teaches students to take a systematic approach to evaluating professional literature critically and using it responsibly. The Fourth Edition covers evidence-based research, qualitative methods, program evaluation, and mixed methods; includes new discussions on how national accreditation standards in counseling (CACREP) and education (CAEP) apply to research; and examines how cultural influences can affect the research process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781544305042
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	02/26/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	950,430
File size:	13 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Rick Houser is Professor Emeritus Department of Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology&Counseling, College of Education at The University of Alabama. He was Professor and Department Head in Educational Studies in Psychology (over 7 years at Department Head), Research Methodology, and Counseling at The University of Alabama. He has been Associate Dean in the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Also, he was a professor and department chair for several years at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Rick Houser has taught graduate-level research courses for more than 30 years. He received his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh in rehabilitation counseling with a minor in research methodology. He conducts research in ethical decision making, stress and coping, educational neuroscience, and neuroscience and counseling.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Section 1: Introduction to the Research Process
Chapter 1. Science and the Research Process
Definitions of Science and Research
Practitioner–Scientist
Assumptions About Science and Research
Plagiarism
Steps in the Scientific Process
Purpose and Overview of the Text
Chapter 2. Ethics and Research
Ethical Principles and Guidelines
Ethical Research Violations
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating the Research Literature for Ethical Concerns
Evaluation of Research Examples Presented in the Professional Literature
Tuskegee Syphilis Study
Milgram Study
Chapter 3. Quantitative Research Designs
Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative Research
Types of Variables
Research Designs
Chapter 4. Qualitative Research Methods
Advantages and Disadvantages of Qualitative Research
Traditions or Paradigms in Conducting Qualitative Research
Case Study Approach
Chapter 5. Mixed Methods Research
History of Mixed Methods Research
Strengths and Weaknesses of Mixed Methods Research
Triangulation
Mixed Research Models
Chapter 6. Single-Case or Single-Subject Research
Guidelines and Procedures in Single-Subject Design
Research Designs in Single-Case or Subject Research
Chapter 7. Basics of Statistical Methods
Measurement Scales
Common Statistical Definitions
Descriptive Statistics
Inferential Statistics
Nonparametric Statistics
Chapter 8. Basics of Qualitative Research Data Analysis
Generating Data: Units of Data Collection
Organizing Data
Management of Data: Coding and Reducing
Interpreting and Reporting
Section II: Evaluating Articles in the Professional Literature
Chapter 9. Evaluating the Literature Review
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating Research
Evaluation of Examples From the Research Literature
Chapter 10. Evaluating the Purpose Statement and Hypotheses
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating the Purpose Statement
Evaluation of Examples From the Research Literature
Section Summary
Quantitative Research Hypotheses
Indirect Proof: An Orientation to the Scientific Approach
Types of Hypotheses
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating Hypotheses: Quantitative Methods
Evaluation of Examples From the Research Literature
Evaluating a Hypothesis in Qualitative Research Methods
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating Hypothesis or Hypotheses for Qualitative Research
Chapter 11. Evaluating the Methods Section—Sampling Methods
Sampling Methods Used in Quantitative Research
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating the Methods Section Sample
Evaluating Examples From the Research Literature
Chapter 12. Evaluating the Methods Section—Instruments
Standardization of Instruments
Culture, Gender, and Diversity Bias
Reliability of Instruments
Validity of Instruments
Approaches to Measuring the Dependent Variable
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating the Instruments—Quantitative Research
Evaluating Examples From the Research Literature—Quantitative Research
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating the Instruments—Qualitative Research
Evaluating Single-Subject Research
Chapter 13. Evaluating the Methods Section—Procedures
Description of Study Variables
Random Assignment
Internal and External Validity
Threats to Internal Validity
Threats to Validity with Single-Subject Studies
Threats to External Validity
Evaluation of Procedures Examples From the Literature
Chapter 14. Evaluating the Results Section
Part I: Quantitative Research Results
Descriptive Statistics
Inferential Statistics
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating the Results Section—Quantitative Research
Evaluating Examples From the Research Literature—Quantitative Research
Single Case Study Example
Part II: Qualitative Research Results
Coding Data: Data Analysis
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating the Results Section—Qualitative Research
Evaluating an Example From the Results Section—Qualitative Research
Chapter 15. Evaluating the Discussion Section
Guidelines and Questions for Evaluating the Discussion Section
Evaluating Examples From the Research Literature
Single-Subject Case Example
Section III: The Application of Research and Evaluation
Chapter 16. Evidence-Based Research and Application
Counseling Meta-Analyses
Interventions in Schools
Integrative Reviews
Chapter 17. Conducting Research: Cultural Issues
Cultural Neuroscience Research
Examples of Cultural and Neuroscience Research
Chapter 18. Developing a Research Proposal and Conducting Research in Practice
Practitioner–Researchers
Developing a Research Proposal
Practical Considerations in Conducting Research
Chapter 19. Development and Application of Program Evaluation Research
Definitions of Program Evaluation Research
Professional Standards and Guidelines for Program Evaluation
Types of Evaluation
Evaluation Models
Steps in an Evaluation
Examples of Program Evaluation
Chapter 20. Advances in Technology and Research
Technologies
Online Counseling
Interactive Video
Bug-in-Ear Technology
iPads and iPhones
Virtual Reality
Neuroscience Technologies
Chapter 21. Current and Future Issues in Counseling and Educational Research
The Practitioner–Scientist Model
The Relevance of Research to Practice
Value Issues in Counseling
Social Justice Issues
Glossary
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

A textbook which presents basic research methods for master's level education and counseling students. Houser (psychology and counseling, U. Mass in Boston) looks at quantitative research and research designs, qualitative research methods, literature reviews and purpose statements, procedures and instrumentation, and ethical issues. The emphasis is on being a good consumer of research and on using research in practice. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

Throughout the book, I was struck with Houser’s lucidity and skill in summarising. Overall the short, well-researched chapters do work. As a Third Edition, the book has many updated features. The book is both generally useful and particularly suitable for those in the education and counselling fields.

Dr Anuradha J Bakshi

"This textbook is timely, relevant, and student friendly."

Lakitta Johnson

"Houser is an exceptional writer whose examples and explanations assist each one of us in understanding the complexity of research.

Jo Ann Jankoski

"This text is an effective tool in counseling research education. It reads easy and is clear in both clarity and flow."

Shon D. Smith

"The Counseling and Educational Research text is a wonderful way to help familiarize Masters-level counseling students with the research process, and how it can be used to enhance their own understanding of research. It is a practical and easy read…I would recommend it for any Master-level counseling course."

Ja’net M. Seward

"Houser describes research methodology and techniques in a way that novice researchers can understand. This book is written in a wonderful transparent style."

Delila Owens

"Houser is the best text available for a master’s level course that examines research from the perspective of counseling practitioners rather than researchers."

Annette F. Nelligan

"The Counseling and Educational Research text is a wonderful way to help familiarize Masters-level counseling students with the research process, and how it can be used to enhance their own understanding of research. It is a practical and easy read…I would recommend it for any Master-level counseling course."

Ja’net M. Seward