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.

Fully revised and updated, the second edition of this widely adopted text and professional reference reflects significant recent changes in the landscape of family therapy research. Leading contributors provide the current knowledge needed to design strong qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies; analyze the resulting data; and translate findings into improved practices and programs. Following a consistent format, user-friendly chapters thoroughly describe the various methodologies and illustrate their applications with helpful concrete examples. Among the ten entirely new chapters in the second edition is an invaluable research primer for beginning graduate students. Other new chapters cover action and participatory research methods, computer-aided qualitative data analysis, feminist autoethnography, performance methodology, task analysis, cutting-edge statistical models, and more.

Research Methods in Clinical and Counselling Psychology presents a practical description of the research process, taking readers sequentially through the basic steps of a project: groundwork, measurement, design, analysis and interpretation. It also addresses essential background issues, such as the underlying philosophy of the various research methods and the socio-political issues that arise in doing research in service settings. Clinical and counselling research methodology is currently developing rapidly, and psychologists are expanding their repertoire of methods. In this book the authors present a balanced appraisal of both traditional and emergent methods. They re-affirm the scientist-practitioner model: that clinical and counselling psychologists have a dual role as both clinicians and researchers. The authors argue that research embraces a broad range of activities which can be incorporated into everyday professional practice. The book is aimed at students and professionals who want to conduct their own research and those who simply want to understand published research better.

A research methods text with a unique focus on evidence-based practice with couples and families, this book bridges the divide between research and clinical work. The text offers comprehensive, user-friendly coverage of measurement and design issues and basic qualitative and quantitative methods. Illustrating research concepts with clinically relevant examples and sample studies, it teaches clear steps for evaluating different types of studies and identifying common threats to validity. Of special value to therapists, it provides a systematic framework for using research to guide the selection and evaluation of interventions that meet the needs of particular clients. Pedagogical features: *End-of-chapter "Applications" sections showing how to evaluate specific methods. *Appendices with quick-reference guides and recommended resources. *Instructive glossary. See also the authors' Essential Skills in Family Therapy, Third Edition: From the First Interview to Termination, which addresses all aspects of real-world clinical practice, and Essential Assessment Skills for Couple and Family Therapists, which shows how to weave assessment into all phases of therapy.

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.

`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.

′An unusually thoughtful, methodical, engaging text tackling essential research issues in an accessible and attractive way′ - Colin Feltham Emeritus Professor of Critical Counselling Studies, Sheffield Hallam University. Introducing Counselling and Psychotherapy Research provides an accessible yet thorough overview of the place that research has in the world of therapy. It introduces the reader to the language of research and helps students to identify themselves as researchers by supporting the development of their research literacy and awareness. Structured around common training topics, the book provides: - consideration of what research is and why people do it - discussion of key issues that individuals should consider before embarking on a research project - an informed overview of common research methodologies and methods - a reflection upon the need to place ethical mindfulness at the fore of any research project - advice and information on what you can do with your research once it′s complete. This practical book demystifies research through a model of collaborative and experiential learning, with training exercises, student reflections, further reading, guidance on how to complete a thesis or dissertation, study skills and tips on how to use research supervision and dissemination. Terry Hanley, Clare Lennie and William West work as directors and lecturers on the Counselling and Counselling Psychology programmes at the University of Manchester.