Presents research approaches using qualitative methods that are needed as alternatives to traditional, quantitative methods. Describes the three qualitative methods of participant-observation, in-depth interviewing, and life histories and case studies. Discusses exemplars of qualitative techniques for research in counselor education and…

Describes two strategies for assessing measures of practical fit and the goodness of fit from structural equation models. Focuses on linear structural relations (LISREL), chi-square fit index, practical fit indices, and hierarchical analyses. Includes empirical example of hierarchical model procedures used with practical and statistical indices to…

Describes methods and concepts for empirically evaluating pertinence or suitability of therapist's interventions to patient's problems, needs, and treatment goals. Presents intensive studies of two brief psychotherapy cases in which patient-initiated critical incidents were identified, case-specific accuracy of therapist's responses was rated, and…

Selectivity bias arises in program evaluation when the treatment or control status of the subjects is related to unmeasured characteristics that themselves are related to the program outcome under study. This situation has the potential to lead to an incorrect estimation of the treatment effect when assignment to treatment and control groups is…

Reviews application of causal modeling in family research. Discusses uses of and critics' views of causal modeling to explain reasons for controversial position of causal modeling in social sciences. Reviews requirements for effectively implementing causal modeling strategy, commenting on some attempts of family researchers to use it. Includes…

Uses three hermeneutical or quasi-hermeneutical studies in career development to illustrate important dimensions of this type of research. Discusses collecting, recording, and analyzing research material and presenting the interpretative framework. Addresses issues of subjectivity, reliability, validity, accessibility, feasibility, and…

The critical incident technique is an exploratory qualitative method of research which generates a comprehensive and detailed description of a content domain. It consists of asking eyewitness observers for factual accounts of behaviors (incidents) which signficantly contribute to a specified outcome (are critical). This paper illustrates how to do…

Study articulates model for single-case research in psychotherapy. Saw patient with major depressive disorder for 2.5 years of psychotherapy. Videotaped sessions and obtained assessments of change at regular intervals. Used time-series analysis to model fluctuations in therapy process. Bidirectional analysis of causal effects showed that influence…

Over the years, research and evaluation practices have influenced and been influenced by intervention procedures in the school system and classroom. This document discusses the historical influences of research and evaluation on interventions in schools conducted in the past, and outlines important trends, issues, and suggested practices for…

Asserts that path analysis is an optimum data-analytic technique for the research, development, and evaluation of planned interventions to reduce college student attrition. Describes and illustrates technique of path analysis. (Author/NB)

With the development of refined theory and increased measurement sophistication in family research, multidimensional concepts and multiple indicators are appearing in the literature. This paper provides a nonmathematical introduction to canonical correlation analysis and three empirical examples that demonstrate the technique's applicability in…

Introduces strategy for evaluating how drugs, administered in varying doses, affect dependent variables (physiological, psychological, and social functioning and quality of life) that fluctuate in level. Tests hypotheses with statistics computed from benefit/harm scores, measuring longitudinal associations between dose and dependent variable…

This report discusses considerations involved in placing the evaluation process for criminal justice agencies within an organizational and practical context. The discussion proceeds from the following perspectives: (1) program evaluation is a policy/management tool; (2) various levels of policy and management personnel have numerous and varied…

Evaluators often utilize analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) techniques to compensate statistically for the lack of experimental control when assessing the effects of innovative programs implemented in naturalistic settings. In this paper design, analysis, and reporting considerations important to the application of ANCOVA-type techniques in…

This article discusses issues related to selection and development of language assessment procedures for children who speak Spanish and English based on spontaneous language samples and shows how available procedures can be applied to research and clinical aims with these children. Sociolinguistic influences in Spanish-speaker language performance…