The authors have identified three areas that are central to the rationale for conducting a qualitative research project, yet which produce confusion and uncertainty for some psychologists trained in traditional research methods. In this article, they consider how philosophy of science paradigms relate to the foundational rationale for qualitative…

This article is a guide for counseling researchers wishing to communicate the methods and results of their qualitative research to varied audiences. The authors posit that the first step in effectively communicating qualitative research is the development of strong qualitative research skills. To this end, the authors review a process model for…

Provides an introduction to this special issue. Summarizes the process of topic selection, article format, and topic sequence. (GCP)

Discusses research in counseling and psychotherapy, analyzes and critiques the most popularly used meta-models, i.e. those that guide and delimit applied theory, and research. Develops and advocates the use of a systems paradigm for future research. (RC)

Offers reflections on a new type of qualitative research: consensual qualitative research (CQR). Argues that consensus processes and judgments are inherent in the understanding of any form of research practice. Discusses normative understanding of research practice, locates CQR in existing research traditions, and judges the value of CQR practice.…

Advocates using a reasoned argument to approach the research-conceptualization process, wherein the different aspects of any study logically relate to each other. Discusses common aspects of the four research components that are often ignored and thus result in discrepancies across the components. (Author/GCP)

Examines item-response theory (IRT), which seeks to model the way in which latent psychological constructs manifest themselves in terms of observable item responses. Provides an overview of the most popular IRT models and contrasts them with the techniques used in classical test theory. Results highlight several IRT advantages. (Author/GCP)

One of the original authors of the feminist identity model reflects on the 16 subsequent years of work in the field as described in this major contribution. The original model is clarified and measurement issues are examined, particularly in relation to the Synthesis and Active Commitment subscales. The author also evaluates existing research and…

Reviews major paradigms that differ from positivistic research tradition of reductive experimentation. Describes naturalistic-ethnographic, phenomenological, and cybernetic paradigms in terms of their conceptual base, methodological characteristics, applications, types of research questions they can address, and strengths and limitations. Proposed…

Counseling psychologists generally agree that science-practice integration is a good thing. However, most discussions of this topic are less clear about how to actually apply scientific findings to an individual client case. In this article, the author attempts to describe a philosophy for applying research to practice in counseling psychology…

The model of feminist identity development proposed by Downing and Roush in 1985 is revisited as a potentially useful framework in counseling psychology theory, research, and practice. An examination of the historical context from which the model arose illustrates how it advanced theory in the psychology of women. A critical review of the extant…

Although many counselor training programs now include empathy skill training as a requirement, this author feels that counselor preparation programs should be more cautious in emphasizing the role of empathy in counseling. The author reviews the literature and discusses the lack of clear evidence in favor of empathy training. (Author/BP)

Analyzes attachment theory's viability as an overarching framework for counseling psychology. Places particular emphasis on the integrative potential and heuristic value of the theory, arguing that it can use biological (structural), psychological (cognitive/affective), and social dimensions of experience to clarify developmental dynamics in…

Proposes a prototypical model for psychological assessment that reformulates a model of the counselor-as-scientist. Integrates the model's theory and research on human inference, judgment, and decision making; research on threats to accurate clinical prediction; and findings about counselor characteristics associated with effective judgment…

Using world-view as a unifying construct, presents a model for conceptualizing the change process in cross-cultural counseling. The operation of this model in counseling and assessment is described and illustrated using the following criteria: cultural considerations; application to counseling; and assessment of world-view. (SNR)