COUN 5391: Research Seminar

Fall 2006

Instructor: John Beckenbach, ED                                                       Office: ED 4020

E-mail:   jb89@txstate.edu                                                                    Office Hours:   M 11– 3,

                                                                                                                Th 11– 3, or by appointment

Course Description:

Research, measurement, and design procedures for addressing issues in school psychology, counseling, and education. A research project is required of each student.

Course Objectives:

• To provide a general exposure to various counseling research designs, their strengths, the types of conclusions that can be derived from them, as well as their limitations and deficiencies. (CACREP IIK: 8a, b; 8e)  
• To develop and understanding of internal and external threats to validity and strategies to minimize these threats in counseling research. (CACREP IIK: 7e)
• To differentiate between qualitative and quantitative counseling research and articulate the appropriate uses of each. (CACREP IIK: 8a; 8b)
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic statistical concepts, such as descriptive and inferential statistics, and ascertain whether a relationship is statistically significant. (CACREP IIK: 7c; 7d; 8c)
• To develop an understanding of the process as well as the structure of a counseling outcome study/program evaluation, including understanding issues concerning sampling, instruments and other forms of data collection procedures, and data analysis. (CACREP IIK: 7b; 7g; 8c)
• To develop skills in the use of technology in research and critical evaluation of research articles. (CACREP IIK: 8c; 8d; 8e)
• To gain an awareness of the ethical and legal issues pertaining to the conduct of culturally sensitive research. (CACREP IIK: 8f)
• To know, understand, and conduct culturally sensitive guidance needs assessments. (CACREP IIK: 8d; 7f)

Note :   While you will not be working on your thesis proposal in this class, the knowledge you will gain is vital in that it will equip you with the foundation and tools for a successful completion of a thesis if you opt for doing a thesis.

Methods of Instruction:

Students may expect lectures, student class presentations, class discussions, guest speakers, role-playing and video presentations.

Required Text:

Heppner, P. P., Kivlighan, D. M., & Wampold, B. E. (1999).   Research design in counseling   (2nd ed.).   New York:   Brooks/Cole.

Additional readings may be circulated through the semester.

Course Requirements:

Class Attendance:

                Attendance of all classes is essential for your success in this course.   If you are unable to attend class you should contact the instructor in advance or as soon as possible after the missed class.   Absences or excessive tardiness will result in a full letter grade reduction.

Assigned Readings and Class Discussions:

                Discussion of assigned readings, exercises, and assignments will be an essential part of this learning experience.   You are expected to be current in all readings and to actively participate in class discussions.  

Course Assignments:

1. Two Exams - 100 points each

                Two tests will be given covering all textbook, handout, and in-class material. The tests will consist of multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank and essay questions.   You will be tested on materials discussed in class in the weeks prior to the exam.   This will not include others materials covered in previous tests.

2.   Journal Critique –25 pts.  

                The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize students with psychology research journals and enhance student's ability to critically examine published research. You will select an article of interest published within the last 5 years from common counseling and psychology journals (i.e., Journal of Mental Health Counseling, Journal of Counseling and Development, Counselor Education and Supervision, Journal of Specialists in Group Work, etc.).   A paper, 3 - 5 pages, will be submitted providing a brief summary of the article, and a critique of the research methodology, design utilized in the study, ways to improve the design, program evaluations method, etc….   

3.   Group Presentation of Research Proposal/Paper – 100 pts

                Each group will be responsible for developing a simple research proposal to present in class to provide an example of how a particular research design can be applied.   As a group you will develop a research idea utilizing a design discussed in class.   An outline of this project is provided on Blackboard.    A group paper, 7 to 10 pages, will be generated for your project and submitted the day of your presentation.

                Papers are expected to be written in APA style.   Although quality of the content will be weighed most heavily, papers are expected to have correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.   Papers need to be typed, double-spaced, and stapled.   All assignments are due by the start of the class period designated.   Papers are considered late if not received at the beginning of class on the date given.   NOTE:   NO late work will be accepted without approval of the instructor.   Approved late work will lose 10% per class period late of the total points for that assignment.

Grading:

                                                                Exams 1 and 2:                                       200 points (2 @ 100 pts. each)

                                                                Journal Critique                                    25 points

Group Presentation/Paper                   100 points

                                                                TOTAL:                                                 325 points

A              90%-100%

B              80%-90%

C              70%-80%

F               70% and Below

• A Grade of “C” or below requires you to retake the course (absences can result in a “C” or below). You may also be withdrawn and/or failed for non-compliance with the EAPS Professional Counselor Evaluation criteria. See Student Handbook for Faculty Review procedures.             

• Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and/or the use of other students’ work, will not be tolerated and will result in a failure for the class grade.

Tentative Course Outline

DATE                      TOPIC                                                                                                     READINGS

01/19                        Introduction                                                                                           Chpts. 1

01/26                        Research Topics/Research Designs                                                                 Chpts. 2, 3

02/02                        Validity/Ethical Issues                                                                        Chpts. 4, 5

02/09                        Between-Groups & Within-Subjects Designs                                Chpt. 6

02/16                        Quiz 1

                                Quasi-Experimental, Time-Series,                                                      Chpts. 7, 8

                                & Single-Subject Designs  

02/23                        Quantitative Descriptive Designs                                                     Chpt. 9

03/02                        Qualitative Research                                                                           Chpt. 10

03/09                        Midterm

                                Independent & Dependent Variables                                               Chpts. 11, 12

03/16                        Spring Break

03/23                        Population Issues/Bias                                                                       Chpts. 13, 14

03/30                        Quiz 2

                                Analogue & Outcome Research                                                        Chpts. 15, 16

04/06                        Counseling Process Research/Program Evaluation                       Chpts. 17, 18

04/13                        Presentations

04/20                        Presentations

04/27                        Presentations

05/04                        Final Examination

Texas State University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with Disability Support Services and to contact the faculty member in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.