The Use of Research Teams to Enhance Competence in Counseling Research

Abstract

This article notes the problems involved in traditional efforts to induct graduate students into the research process. A collaborative apprenticeship method that can be incorporated into programmatic research with benefits for both students and mentors is presented.

Improving Research Training in Doctoral Counseling Programs

“…Their most highly ranked and frequently noted recommendations were required research teams and early, hands-on research experiences. These suggestions have often been mentioned in the literature (Gelso, 1979;Gelso et al, 1983;Magoon & Holland, 1984;Royalty, Gelso, Mallinckrodt, & Garrett, 1986;Royalty & Reising, 1986;Stockton & Hulse, 1983). Our results also bolster the claims that supporting research through such informal mechanisms as strong encouragement, funding, and typing services leads to greater research productivity.…”

“…I t is widely believed that the research productivity rate of counseling professionals trained at the doctoral level is quite low (Gelso, 1979;Whiteley, 1984). As numerous authors have noted, this rate of output must increase if progress is to be made in addressing important issues in the field (e.g., Magoon & Holland, 1984;Pine, 1981;Stockton & Hulse, 1983).…”

“…Various suggestions have been made about how to improve research training (Barkley, 1982;Gelso, 1979;Magoon & Holland, 1984;Stockton & Hulse, 1983). Before proposing such changes, we believe that it is important to examine the extent of similarity in current research training practices among different types of counseling programs (i.e., counseling psychology and counselor education).…”

Counselor Applications of Research Findings to Practice: Learning To Stay Current

“…We believe that students need to apply their knowledge of basic research methods to acquire a higher level of skill in their applied use. For example, Stockton and Hulse (1983) reported on an apprenticeship training program that emphasizes collaboration between graduate students and professors on a topic with which the professor is currently involved. In the first semester, students enroll in a graduate course in which they serve as logistical support staff members for the research project.…”

An Effective Research Team Method to Influence Research and Scholarly Development

“…We will discuss how our active participation in these teams during our graduate studies influenced our professional work in the academy as researchers and advisors. Stockton and Hulse (1983) described the basic format of these research teams. In level one, students who had little or no previous research experience enrolled in a graduate research course for credit.…”