Throughout this course you have learned about the importance of research in counseling and how evidence-based research can inform how counselors

CEFS/COUC 515

COUC 515

Benchmark Quantitative or Qualitative Research Reporting Template

On page two and three, there are two case scenarios with a detailed summary of the study, purpose, research question, study design, data, method of analysis of the data, and the results. Choose one case scenario to report on.

Answer the following questions, reflecting on the case scenario:

I Choose Benchmark Qualitative Reporting : Template Questions

· What was the research question?

· What type of study design is used? (i.e., Grounded Theory, Phenomenology, Consensual Qualitative Research, or Participatory Action Research?) Please explain.

· What themes emerged from the interviews and how do the participant quotes inform the theme?

· How do these themes address the research question?

· What are the implications of the results for the study and the counseling field?

I Choose Benchmark Quantitative Reporting: Template Questions

· What was the research question?

· What type of study design is used (between/within groups, pretest/post-test, etc.)? Please explain.

· Is the correct statistical test used to analyze the data? Why or why not?

· Are the results statistically significant? Social science research uses a p value of .05 or less to determine statistical significance.

· Does the researcher reject or fail to reject the null hypothesis?

· What are the implications of the results for the study and the counseling field?

Qualitative Reporting: Case Scenario

Counselors and school counselors are concerned about the current trend in the use of technology and how excessive use of technology can lead to an increase in mood disorders and addiction. Research indicates this is particularly true for our youth. A complicating factor is that many youth use technology everyday as a source of connection and socializing; therefore, researchers determine it would be helpful to better understand the motivation for youth’s use of technology and how their use influences their behaviors. First, the authors must identify a theoretical framework for their qualitative study.

Exploring the experiences of youth who use technology can help counselors develop adequate and proper interventions to treat those being negatively impacted by an overuse of technology. The purpose of this study is to explore youth motivations for using technology and how their use might impact their daily functioning. The research question is: What are youth’s motivations for using technology and how does it impact their daily functioning?

The researchers designed a study using a convenience sample of 10 participants that responded to an initial screening survey and who indicated they excessively use technology in some manner. After obtaining parental consent, the participants were then interviewed to discuss their use of technology and the impact their use of technology had on their daily function. The transcripts of the interview were coded and then rigorously analyzed by all researchers and core ideas were developed. The research team came to a consensus of the identified themes, patterns, and relationships. The researcher then attempted to link the research findings to the research question.

Some of the themes (and relevant participant quotes) that emerged from the data are:

Theme #1: Youth use technology as their main source of peer connection

· Quotes:

· Billy said: “I play video games with my friends each day when I get the chance.”

· Melissa said: “I’m in school all day long and when I get home I want to be able to talk to my friends.”

· Mark said: “Most nights I stay up late so I can group chat with friends.”

Theme #2: Youth use technology when it is expected of them

· Quotes:

· Ruth said: “Even when I’m with my family I can’t help but look at my phone. There is not a minute that I’m not getting a text or snapchat from my friends.”

· Jeff said: “My friends always want me to text them or be online even when it is a school night.”

· Krista said: “I have over a thousand followers on Instagram so I have to post everyday so they keep following me.”

Quantitative Reporting: Case Scenario

Counselors and school counselors are concerned that the current treatments being offered for smoking dependence are not resulting in a high enough percentage of successful outcomes for adolescents. A complicating factor is that many adolescents experience depression during treatment for smoking dependence. Mindfulness Therapy has demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of depression. The purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy of adding Mindfulness Therapy to the standard treatment program. The research question is: Will the addition of Mindfulness Therapy with standard treatment improve the efficacy of that treatment when used for adolescents with smoking dependence?

The researchers designed a study using a convenience sample of 40 participants who have entered treatment for smoking dependence. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups, the standard treatment program or the standard treatment program with Mindfulness Therapy. Participants will receive treatment for 16 weeks and then complete a Youth Specific version of the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS). The treatment groups are considered equivalent at the beginning of the study based on random assignment to groups. The null hypothesis states there will be no difference in scores on the NDSS between those who receive the standard treatment program and those who receive the standard treatment program with Mindfulness Therapy. The researcher used an independent samples t-test to analyze the data.

The scores on the Youth-Specific NDSS for the two groups are:

Independent Samples T-Test Results

The results are t(38) = 4.9607, p = .000.

Standard Treatment Means = 13.25 (Standard Deviation = 3.51)

Standard Treatment AND Mindfulness Means= 8.1 (Standard Deviation = 3.04)

Standard Treatment	Standard Treatment & Mindfulness
14 18 9 12 11 17 10 11 13 17 14 21 8 14 12 14 15 16 7 12	8 12 4 4 3 10 15 9 3 10 9 10 6 9 7 8 10 10 8 7

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BENCHMARK QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH REPORTING EXAMPLE

Benchmark Quantitative Research Reporting Example

Student Name

Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies,

Author Note

Student Name

I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Student Name

Email:

Benchmark Quantitative Research Reporting Example

This study used a within-groups design where 40 participants with substance abuse issues ( M= 92.43, SD= 10.76) participated in a psychoeducational group, and researchers measured their level of help-seeking behaviors before and after participating in the group. The dependent-samples t-test was correctly used because there was one group who was measured two times; therefore, the participants’ scores were paired. The test resulted with a mean difference of -7.56750, while t = -4.446 and p = .000. These results indicate that there was a statistically significant difference in mean scores with p-value < .05. The researchers rejects the null hypothesis. Results demonstrated that there is a difference in the level of help seeking behaviors among those with substance abuse issues before and after participating in a psychoeducational group. That is important to the counseling field because it guides practitioners on how to help substance abuse clients develop certain coping behaviors. Comment by Kirk, Krista Elizabeth (Ctr for Counseling & Family Studies): Discussion of means and standard deviation Comment by Dr. Kirk: Discussion of test used Comment by Dr. Kirk: Brief explanation of results Comment by Dr. Kirk: Identifying significance of results Comment by Dr. Kirk: Explanation of either rejecting or failing to reject the null Comment by Dr. Kirk: Implications for the counseling field

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BENCHMARK QUALITATIVE RESEARCH REPORTING EXAMPLE

BENCHMARK QUALITATIVE RESEARCH REPORTING EXAMPLE 2

Benchmark Qualitative Research Reporting Example

Student Name

Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies,

Author Note

Student Name

I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Student Name

Email:

Benchmark Qualitative Research Reporting Example

The researchers sought to explore graduate counseling student experiences in their transitions to a graduate counseling program after participating in an orientation course. The researchers identified two overarching themes: (1) process of getting to know each other and (2) application of learning from the orientation course. Comment by Dr. Kirk: Statement of research question

In the first theme of the process of getting to know each other , students discussed that they appreciated the opportunity to interact with each other and to get out of their comfort zones. Jennifer stated, “I worked really hard to put myself in a different position. Melissa further described this experience by stating, “step out, be vulnerable, and immersing yourself in the experience helps you build relationships.” Students who had never participated in an orientation course before seemingly benefited from the activities provided that allowed for interpersonal growth. Comment by Dr. Kirk: Theme Comment by Dr. Kirk: Explanation of theme in a narrative Comment by Dr. Kirk: Quotes that help illuminate the theme Comment by Dr. Kirk: Statement summarizing the quotes

In the second theme of application of learning , the students also discussed how the orientation course prepared them for the program overall and assist them in professional growth. Riley shared, “Being open to other people, being open to other opinions can help you solve problems in the best way.” Sue also commented, “I remember the first day of our courses down the road, everyone knew everyone already, we made a connection, and we were less afraid to make mistakes.” students also shared that the engagement in the orientation course helped them develop comfort with each other which helped facilitate learning in class. The comfort facilitated in the orientation course helped students develop interpersonal growth and facilitated a positive class environment. These themes imply that graduated students benefit from having an orientation course and it helps them develop interpersonal skills needed for the profession. Comment by Dr. Kirk: Theme Comment by Dr. Kirk: Explanation in a narrative Comment by Dr. Kirk: Quotes that help illuminate the theme Comment by Dr. Kirk: Statement summarizing the quotes Comment by Dr. Kirk: Statement connecting to research question Comment by Dr. Kirk: Implications

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COUC 515

Benchmark Quantitative or Qualitative Research Reporting Assignment Instructions

Overview

Throughout this course you have learned about the importance of research in counseling and how evidence-based research can inform how counselors practice. This assignment will help you develop the skill of interpreting data and writing results based upon your research findings.

Instructions

Please navigate to the Benchmark Quantitative or Qualitative Research Reporting Template and follow the steps to complete the assignment. Within this document, there are two case scenarios that detail a summary of the study, purpose, research question, hypothesis (for only the quantitative case), study design, data, method of analysis of the data, and the results. You will address the questions based upon which path you choose, and you will write one well-developed paragraph that has a logical flow using current APA format.

** PLEASE DO NOT USE YOUR APPROVED TOPIC FROM YOUR WEEK #2 FINAL TOPIC SELECTION ASSIGNMENT. BE SURE INSTEAD TO USE ONE OF THE TWO PROVIDED CASE SCENARIOS WITH THIS ASSIGNMENT.

Please see the Benchmark Quantitative Research Reporting Example or the Benchmark Qualitative Research Reporting Example for additional guidance.

· This paper should be no more than 1-2 pages.

· For further study, section 3 of the APA manual discusses Journal Article Reporting Standards.

· Please follow APA formatting for this assignment.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.