Doctoral Dissertation Research in Rehabilitation Counseling

Abstract

Graduates of doctoral level programs are the stewards of their profession. Historically, doctoral dissertation research has been summarized as a service to improve research accessibility, analyze research trends, and suggest potential areas for future inquiry. The current review analyzes 99 doctoral dissertations from recognized rehabilitation counseling programs for the years 2005 through 2007. Departing from previous inquiries, the present study analyzed the methodology employed, the research model, and the type of statistical analyses implemented to answer the research questions posed by the dissertator. These additional points were included to reflect the growing emphasis in the field of rehabilitation counseling on evidence-based practice. A description of the methodology utilized to develop the reference citations, content summaries, observations, trends, and the annotated bibliography is provided. Potential implications for the practice of rehabilitation counseling, teaching, and future research are discussed.

Doctoral Dissertation Research in Rehabilitation Counseling

“…The content review for this study was limited to rehabilitation counseling programs recognized as doctoral programs in Maki, Berven, and Peterson (2003) and listed in the NCRE directories from 2008 to 2010. Dissertations were collected using a sequential method paralleling the approach used in a previous review (Tansey et al, 2012). Once programs were identified, an advanced search in the ProQuest Dissertation and Theses database was used to identify dissertators by program faculty in each of the parent universities.…”

“…Where discrepancies existed between independent raters, a third researcher, acting as an auditor, made final coding determinations. The content categorization for this review mirrored that of a previous review (Tansey et al, 2012), which included categorization of methodology, type of data, type of analysis, and research design in addition to a categorization of the general content (for a full description of these added categories, see Tansey et al, 2012).…”

“…In his paper, Golde articulates a belief that although the training in professional knowledge areas, research, and pedagogy is a necessary and minimal requirement of doctoral education, this training should be motivated toward the greater purpose of preparing doctoral-level trained individuals to continue to grow and protect their respective professions. As the culminating research product, doctoral dissertations provide the discipline with information on the research interests and sophistication of the researchers entering the profession (Tansey, Zanskas, & Phillips, 2012). Historically, doctoral dissertation research has been analyzed and summarized in peer-reviewed journals to identify research trends, enhance the accessibility of research, and propose areas for future research (Beck, Janikowski, & Stebnicki, 1994, 1996; Leahy, Habeck, & Fabiano, 1988, 1989; Leahy, Habeck, & Van Tol, 1992; Leahy, Van Tol, & Habeck, 1990; Lofaro, 1981a, 1981b, 1982, 1983a, 1983b; Tansey et al, 2012).…”

“…As the culminating research product, doctoral dissertations provide the discipline with information on the research interests and sophistication of the researchers entering the profession (Tansey, Zanskas, & Phillips, 2012). Historically, doctoral dissertation research has been analyzed and summarized in peer-reviewed journals to identify research trends, enhance the accessibility of research, and propose areas for future research (Beck, Janikowski, & Stebnicki, 1994, 1996; Leahy, Habeck, & Fabiano, 1988, 1989; Leahy, Habeck, & Van Tol, 1992; Leahy, Van Tol, & Habeck, 1990; Lofaro, 1981a, 1981b, 1982, 1983a, 1983b; Tansey et al, 2012). This article continues the practice of reviewing doctoral dissertation research in rehabilitation counseling.…”

“…The current study focused on dissertation research conducted by doctoral students in rehabilitation counseling programs listed in the 2010–2011 National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) Membership Directory. Tansey et al (2012) analyzed the type of methodology used by the dissertator, the type of research data, the type of statistical analyses, and research design dissertators implemented to answer their research questions. In a partial replication of Leahy et al (1988, 1989, 1990, 1992), a description of the methodology used to develop the reference citations, content summaries, observations, trends, and an annotated bibliography is provided.…”