A Reconceptualization of the Research Paradigm in Counseling Research.

This paper attempts to clarify the vocabulary, issues, research findings, and direction of the development of counseling research up to the present. With changing times and dissatisfaction with counseling results and outcome research approaches, a more comprehensive and interactional view of counseling research and practice has developed. The traditional distinction between outcome and process research is presented, with representative studies and conclusions of each type. The author gives particular emphasis to the need for including input, or pre-treatment variables, in counseling research. These include: (1) client variables: demographic, aptitude, cognitive style, expectancy, achievement, personality style, and motivation; (2) counselor characteristics: demographic, personality style, aptitude, cognitive style, expectancy, and level of training and experience; and (3) contextual or situational variables: Physical setting, referral source, psychological setting, ecological factors, and fee. Finally, a systems model delineating some of the major components of counseling performance is presented. (Author/SES)