[Counseling Psychology's Paradigm shift to Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods]

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Acknowledgement

I would like to take this chance for thanking my research facilitator, friends & family for the support that they provided me & their belief in me as well as the guidance they provided me, without that I would have never been able to do this research.

DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this thesis stand for my individual work without any aid, & this thesis has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level previously. It is also representing my very own views & not essentially that are associated with university.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

Abstract

This research attempts to take into account the two broad research methodologies( qualitative and quantitative) and cite their main differences. The paper also analyses the current shift in advancing towards a more balances approach, and hence the increasing trend of encompassing both methodologies simultaneously in the researches carried out at present. This marked shift is more evident in Counselling Psychology. Also as the seasoned researchers suggest,the field of counseling psychology is in the midst of a gradual paradigm shift from a reliance on quantitative methods to a more balanced reliance on quantitative and qualitative methods. The study also involves a critique of that the approach. Our study leads us to the conclusion that Ponterotto's approach does manifest itself greatly in the current research trends. Also this approach seems to be more desirable and fruitful. For the past 10 years, qualitative research methodology has become more visible in counseling studies. Results from a content analysis of articles published between 1997 and 2002 in 4 professional journals in the field (Counseling and Values, Journal of Counseling & Development, Professional School Counseling, and The Counseling Psychologist) reveal that qualitative research represents 1/6 of all the articles published. Research trends in target publications are identified and suggestions for the development of the field regarding qualitative research are presented.

TABLE OF CONTENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT2

DECLARATION3

ABSTRACT4

INTRODUCTION7

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS9

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS10

The Current Status of Qualitative Research13

The notion of Paradigm Shifts14

CRITIQUE ON PONTEROTTO14

PONTEROTTO'S PREMISE OF A GRADUAL PARADIGM SHIFT IN PSYCHOLOGY-QUANTITATIVE METHOD TO QUALITATIVE METHOD16

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION19

CONCLUSION23

RECOMMENDATIONS23

REFERENCES27

Introduction

Counseling psychology is a psychological specialization that alleviates people's personal and social performance in their lives. This field of psychology focuses on the social, emotional, professional, developmental, health-related and organizational interests for people (Brown & Lent, 2000).

Counseling Psychology integrates theory, research, and practice, with sensitiveness to multiculturalism, and covers a wide range of practices that assist people to assure their well-being, relieve distress, combat personality disorders, settle untoward situations, and gain their power to change their life and make it highly functional (Fretz, 2003).

Counseling psychology is unparalleled in its attention to both conventional development of people as well as troubles related to physical, emotional, and psychological disorders (Gelso & Fretz, 2001).

Populations that Counseling Psychologists serve include people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Counseling Psychologists also confer with different organizations in an attempt to heighten their effectuality or the well-being of their ...