The Role of Faculty Mentors in the Research Training of CounselingPsychology Doctoral Students Article ReviewNameInstitutionInstructorCourseDate The Role of Faculty Mentors in the Research Training of CounselingPsychology Doctoral Students Article ReviewWhat Are The Key Differences Between Qualitative And Quantitative Research?Qualitative research is research aimed at providing deeper explanations to guide better understanding of research problems where else quantitative research is research aimed at measure data and using statistical and mathematical data analysis to research problems (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2017). This data can be collected through questionnaires, interviews, or analyzing pre-existing data. Qualitative date gives a more informed and in depth analysis of all contributing factors to a research problem which is used in the decision-making process by the researchers (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2017). Qualitative research also shows the relationship between different variables and their roles regarding the research problem (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2017). Qualitative data is best suited to provide deeper understanding of a research problem (Brannen, 2017).
In the role of faculty mentors in the research training of counseling psychology doctoral students’ article, there was an analysis on the relationship between students’ perceptions of the research training environment and subsequent research productivity an indication of qualitative research. On the other hand, quantitative research does not consider other factors, which cannot be measured, and their relationship is not taken into consideration (Brannen, 2017). Quantitative research focuses on the measurable numerical data alone in the analysis of a research problem. A sample of the data is collected then analyzed to give information about the whole population (Brannen, 2017). Qualitative data is a non-numerical analysis of data and may include a strength analysis, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a research problem (Brannen, 2017). These factors are not measurable or quantifiable but provide a better understanding of a research problem and an in depth understanding of other contributing factors that affect the research problem (Brannen, 2017).
Quantitative research has an advantage of making comparisons of statistical data, which influences a better decision-making process. Numerical data provides a good basis of conducting comparisons and rating the factors involved in the research problem, which can give the researcher a good background to make the best decisions depending on the information provided (Brannen, 2017). Most of the numerical data in quantitative research methods is supported by evidence since it is information collected from the actual population which it a good platform for decision-making unlike qualitative research methods which cannot actually be confirmed (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2017). In the role of faculty mentors in the research training of counseling psychology doctoral students article, some of the contributing factors were measured which included research mentoring experiences using a research mentoring experience scale. The research self-efficacy, which was also a variable in the research problem, was also measured using the shortened version of the Self Efficacy in Research Measure. Strengths of Qualitative Research DesignsQualitative research designs provide important information, which cannot be measured but still has an impact to the research problem (Balkin & Kleist, 2017).
Some of the information provided includes the behavior of individuals according to certain factors, personality characteristics, and other environmental factors, which cannot be measured but are useful in the decision-making process (Balkin & Kleist, 2017). This enables a researcher in addressing a research problem at all levels and perspectives. Qualitative research design is less expensive in the collection of data due to its focus on smaller groups unlike quantitative research design. This is an advantage on the cost involved in data collection and time as it takes lesser time in data collection compared to quantitative research design (Balkin & Kleist, 2017).Weaknesses of Qualitative Research DesignsQualitative research design requires many resources in the collection of information as it involves the collection of all qualitative data which are quite complex to collect and sometimes the research may not be specific requiring the collection of all data which may require a lot of resources which include human resources and budgetary resources.
In addition to the collection resources needed, other resources are also required in data analysis, which may include skilled personnel, which may be expensive to acquire (Balkin & Kleist, 2017). The role of faculty mentors in the research training of counseling psychology doctoral students article, faced limitations in interpreting qualitative data. The relationship between different variables may change over time affecting the credibility of the research design (Balkin & Kleist, 2017). Qualitative research designs may not be effective and accurate as the variables cannot be measured and the analysis process may be depended with the researchers or the analysis process used. Due to its limited number of participants unlike quantitative research design, which has a higher number of participants, the credibility of the qualitative research is lowered (Balkin & Kleist, 2017).
Essential Components That Should Be Considered When Applying Qualitative Methods to Counseling OutcomesQualitative methods are important in achieving positive counseling outcomes for any healthcare practitioner (Wright, 2014). One of the essential components that should be considered when applying qualitative methods to counseling outcomes is that quantitative data is also important and for a successful outcome, both qualitative and quantitative data must be used collaboratively (Wright, 2014). Although qualitative methods provide a better understanding, quantitative data provides measurable data, which is more accurate and useful in the counseling process of patients (Wright, 2014). Due to the complex data collection and data analysis process in qualitative methods, qualified and experienced personnel must be incorporated in the counseling process to increase the chances of positive counseling outcomes (Wright, 2014). When applying qualitative methods to counseling outcomes, pre-existing evidence based practice and research should be considered as it provides an insight on the best method to apply and the expected results. Evidence based research acts as a foundation when applying quality methods as it provides past results based on a similar research problem (Wright, 2014).ReferencesBalkin, R.
S., & Kleist, D. M. (2017). Counseling research: A practitioner-scholar approach. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.Brannen, J.
(2017). Mixing methods: Qualitative and quantitative research. Abingdon, Oxon ; New York: Routledge.Sheperis, C.
, Young, J. S., & Daniels, M. H. (2017). Counseling research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods.
Upper Sandle River: Pearson.Wright, R. J. (2014). Research methods for counseling: An introduction.
Los Angeles: SAGE.
