COUN 6968 - Research in Counseling
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 41121,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Angela Cameron
Professional Qualifications:
MS Ed, Clinical and School Counseling, Youngstown State University (2013)
Bachelor's, Sociology, Ohio University (1995)
Email: amcameron@ysu.edu
Office: Jones Hall, Room 3009
Office Phone: 330-941-1462
Preferred Contact Method: YSU Email
Communication Expectations:
Additional appointments scheduled as requested
How to Refer to me:
Mrs. Cameron
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Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.) | American Psychological Association (APA) | 978-1-4338-3216-1 |
| Required | Research design in counseling (4th ed.) | Heppner, P. P., Wampold, B. E., Owen, J., Thompson, M. N., & Wang, K. T. (2016) | 978-0-357-67076-7 |
| Required | Program Evaluation in Practice | Spaulding, D. T. (2014) |
Journals and Peer Reviewed Literature
Byrne, J. S., & Shufelt, B. (2014). Factors for personal counseling among counseling trainees. Counselor Education & Supervision, 53, 178-189. doi: 10.1002/j.1556-6978.2014.00056.x
Dass-Brailsford, P., & Hage Thomley, R. S. (2015). Using walk-in counseling services after hurricane Katrina: A program evaluation. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 24, 419-432. doi: 10.1080/10926771.2015.1022287
Larsen, D. J., & Stege, R. (2012). Client accounts of hope in early counseling sessions: A qualitative study. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90, 45-54. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-6676.2012.00007.x
O’Connell, W. P. (2012). Secondary school administrators’ attitudes toward confidentiality in school counseling. NASSP Bulletin, 96, 350-363. doi: 10.1177/0192636512466936
Rowell, P. C., Mobley, A. K., Kemer, G., & Giordano, A. (2014). Examination of a group counseling model of career decision making with college students. Journal of College Counseling, 17, 163-174. doi: 10.1002/j.2161-1882.2014.00055.x
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed | 8/26 | Heppner ch 1 and 2 (pp. 18-23 only) | Importance of research in advancing the counseling profession Science and counseling (3.H.1) | |
| Wed | 9/2 | Workday | Program Narrowing Form Due | |
| Wed | 9/9 | Heppner chapters 4 and 22 Spaulding ch. 1 APA Manual chapter 2, 8, 9, 10 Byrne & Shufelt (2013) on Blackboard |
Introduction to research and program evaluation Overview of APA format How to critique research Critical evaluation of published research discussion (3.H.1) | Quiz #1 Research Mission Statement Critical Evaluation of Published Research Discussion Decide on Program Evaluation Topic |
| Wed | 9/16 | APA manual chapters 1, 4, 5, 6 Spaulding chapter 2 Heppner chapters 5, 18, and 19 |
Research writing Locating Resources How to describe a program (for paper) Developing a logic model (3.H.4., 3.H.7.) Program evaluation models and designs Part 1: Describing the program and selecting variables Identifying interests and operationalizing topics Independent and dependent variables (3.H.2., 3.H.7.) |
Quizzes #2 & #3 Developing and Using a Logic Model Document on BB |
| Wed | 9/23 | Workday | ||
| Wed | 9/30 | Heppner chapter 6 and 17 Spaulding pp 15-31 and chapter 7 |
Program evaluation models and designs Part 2: Selecting a program evaluation design and methods and identifying program evaluation goals, objectives, and variables Selecting research designs Mixed methods research and program evaluation (3.H.3., 3.H.4, 3.H.5., 3.H.7., 3.H.8.) Peer Review: Program Description | Quiz #4 Bring completed draft of Program Description (problem being addressed, research base supporting the program, program details, program goals and objectives, logic model, and APA-formatted reference list) for peer review Peer Review 1 in class activity Peer Review 1 form submission next day (10/1) |
| Wed | 10/7 | Heppner chapters 8, 11, and 12 Dass-Brailsford & Hage Thomley (2015 Heppner chapter 7, 13 and 23 Spaulding chapter 3-4 Program evaluation matrix reading on BB |
Quantitative research methods Populations and sampling Critical evaluation of published research discussion (3.H.3.) Developing outcome measures for counseling programs Program and evaluation plan development 1: Quantitative methods Survey research designs Investigator and participant bias Issues of reliability and validity Developing an evaluation matrix (3.H.5., 3.H.7., 3.H.8.) |
Quizzes #5 & #6 Critical Evaluation of Published Research Discussion Program Description and Logic Model submission on Blackboard Bring your Logic Model to class for Evaluation Matrix development |
| Wed | 10/14 | Heppner ch. 16 Spaulding chapters 6 and 11 Larsen & Stege (2012) |
Program and evaluation plan development II: Qualitative methods Qualitative research methodologies Peer Review: Evaluation Matrix Critical Evaluation of Published Research (3.H.5., 3.H.6., 3.H.7., 3.H.8.) | Quiz #7 Bring completed Program Evaluation Matrix for peer review Peer Review 2 in class activity Peer Review 2 form submission next day (10/15) Critical Evaluation of Published Research Discussion |
| Wed | 10/21 | Mid-term exam and paperwork day | Mid-term exam (on BB) Program Evaluation Matrix submission on BB |
|
| Wed | 10/28 | Heppner chapter 10 | Needs assessments Instrument/scale/survey development (3.H.5, 3.H.6., 3.H.8) | Quiz #8 Needs Assessment development (in class activity) |
| Wed | 11/4 | Heppner chapters 3 and 9 Spaulding chapters 12 and 13 Rowell et al. (2014) |
Ethical and cultural considerations and practices related to research and program evaluation Research and program evaluation and evidence-based practice Critical evaluation of published research discussion (3.H.9., 3.H.10., 3.H.11.) | Quiz #9 Critical Evaluation of Published Research Discussion |
| Wed | 11/11 | YSU Closed - Holiday | ||
| Wed | 11/18 | Heppner chapters 15, 20, and 21 O’Connell article (2012) |
Statistical methods and use of data in research and program evaluation Mass Media Research Reporting Discussion Peer Review: Program Evaluation Plan (3.H.8., 3.H.9., 3.H.10., 3.H.11.) Single-subject research Counseling outcome and process research Peer Review: Appendices and overall paper Critical evaluation of published research discussion Application to Real-World Practice: Counseling Program Assessment Process Description and Discussion (3.H.8., 3.H.9., 3.H.10., 3.H.11.) |
Upload article for Mass Media discussion to Blackboard Quiz #10 Critical Evaluation of Published Research Discussion Bring completed Program Evaluation Paper (part 1, part 2, logic model, evaluation matrix, surveys/instruments/questions, needs assessment, needs assessment data & summary, references) for peer review Peer Review 3 in class activity Peer Review 3 form submission next day (11/19 |
| Wed | 11/25 | YSU Closed - Holiday | ||
| Wed | 12/2 | Program evaluation poster presentations | Poster Presentation Final Program Evaluation Paper submission on Blackboard and on SL&L |
|
| Wed | 12/9 | Final exam | Final Exam (on BB) CITI Certificate on BB (optional) |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.