Final Project The Final Project in this course will be a literature review aimed at determining the evidence to support a counseling theory, technique, or intervention of your choice. In this project, you will explore quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research articles published within the last 10 years in counseling journals related to your selected topic. In addition to examining specific research methodology, you will also include a review of articles focused on program evaluation efforts related to your topic of interest. LITERATURE REVIEW The Final Project for this course will involve the construction of a literature review that can be used to inform counseling practice. For this assignment, you will have to do the following: a) Select a theory, technique, or intervention strategy that can be applied in your counseling specialty that you would like to explore in the professional literature b) Visit the Walden University Library to determine if there is sufficient professional literature available related to your topic of interest c) Submit your topic to your Course Instructor for approval d) Select: 1. At least five quantitative research articles 2. At least five qualitative research articles 3. At least one mixed methods research article 4. At least one program evaluation article for review Your review should include between 12 and 15 peer-reviewed articles. Note that mixed methods research articles may not be published on every topic of interest. In these cases, additional program evaluation articles may be substituted. Constructing a Literature Review Writing a quality literature review involves a thorough knowledge of research methods and exemplary writing skills. A well-written literature review conveys the story of the research that has been conducted to date on a certain topic. Contained in the story is a critical analysis of the research efforts (e.g., design, procedure, sample, data analysis, and interpretation) and an evaluation of how the research can inform practice. By conducting a review of the literature, it is possible to determine if gaps exist that require further research. Throughout this course, you will develop a thorough understanding of the literature review process and the components of a quality literature review. The Final Project will be evaluated according to all four indicators in the Application Assignment and Final Paper Writing Rubric located in the Course Information area. Be sure that the Final Project is written using APA format.

Final Project

The Final Project in this course will be a literature review aimed at determining the evidence to support a counseling theory, technique, or intervention of your choice. In this project, you will explore quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research articles published within the last 10 years in counseling journals related to your selected topic. In addition to examining specific research methodology, you will also include a review of articles focused on program evaluation efforts related to your topic of interest.

LITERATURE REVIEW

The Final Project for this course will involve the construction of a literature review that can be used to inform counseling practice. For this assignment, you will have to do the following:

a) Select a theory, technique, or intervention strategy that can be applied in your counseling specialty that you would like to explore in the professional literature
b) Visit the Walden University Library to determine if there is sufficient professional literature available related to your topic of interest
c) Submit your topic to your Course Instructor for approval
d) Select:

1. At least five quantitative research articles
2. At least five qualitative research articles
3. At least one mixed methods research article
4. At least one program evaluation article for review

Your review should include between 12 and 15 peer-reviewed articles. Note that mixed methods research articles may not be published on every topic of interest. In these cases, additional program evaluation articles may be substituted.

Constructing a Literature Review

Writing a quality literature review involves a thorough knowledge of research methods and exemplary writing skills. A well-written literature review conveys the story of the research that has been conducted to date on a certain topic. Contained in the story is a critical analysis of the research efforts (e.g., design, procedure, sample, data analysis, and interpretation) and an evaluation of how the research can inform practice. By conducting a review of the literature, it is possible to determine if gaps exist that require further research. Throughout this course, you will develop a thorough understanding of the literature review process and the components of a quality literature review.

The Final Project will be evaluated according to all four indicators in the Application Assignment and Final Paper Writing Rubric located in the Course Information area. Be sure that the Final Project is written using APA format.
Articles
The articles listed below are available online through the Walden Library databases, unless they are denoted with an asterisk (*), in which case each may be downloaded from the appropriate weekly Resource page. Directions for locating database articles are in the Course Info area as well as the weekly Resources page in Week 1. If you have difficulty locating the articles, please contact your instructor or the Walden Library helpdesk for assistance.

Borckardt, J., Nash, M., Murphy, M., Moore, M., Shaw, D., & O'Neil, P. (2008). Clinical practice as natural laboratory for psychotherapy research: A guide to case-based time-series analysis. American Psychologist, 63(2), 7795.
Calley, N. (2009). Comprehensive program development in mental health counseling: Design, implementation, and evaluation. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 31(1), 921
D'Andrea, M., & Heckman, E. (2008). A 40-year review of multicultural counseling outcome research: Outlining a future research agenda for the multicultural counseling movement. Journal of Counseling and Development, 86(3), 356363.
Duba, J. D., Kindsvatter, A., & Lara, T. (2008). Treating infidelity: Considering narratives of attachment. The Family Journal, 16, 293299.
Hanson, W. E., Creswell, J. W., Plano Clark, V. L., Petska, K. S., & Creswell, D. J. (2005). Mixed methods research design in counseling psychology. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 2242 35.
Hays, D. G., Dean, J. K., & Chang, C. Y. (2007). Addressing privilege and oppression in counselor training and practice: A qualitative analysis. Journal of Counseling and Development, 85(3), 317-324.
Hawkins, A., Blanchard, V., Baldwin, S., & Fawcett, E. (2008). Does marriage and relationship education work? A meta-analytic study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76(5), 7237 34.
Hunter, S. V. (2006). Understanding the complexity of child sexual abuse: A review of the literature with implications for family counseling. The Family Journal, 14, 349-358.
Kidd, S., & Kral, M. (2005). Practicing participatory action research. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(2), 187195.
Leech, N., & Onwuegbuzie, A. (2010). Guidelines for conducting and reporting mixed research in the field of counseling and beyond. Journal of Counseling and Development, 88(1), 617 0.
Rayle, A. (2006). Mattering to others: Implications for the counseling relationship. Journal of Counseling & Development, 84(4), 483487.
Rowell, L. (2006). Action research and school counseling: Closing the gap between research and practice. Professional School Counseling, 9(5, Special Issue), 376384.
Sink, C., & Stroh, H. (2006). Practical significance: The use of effect sizes in school counseling research. Professional School Counseling, 9(5, Special Issue), 401411.
Smith, S., Reynolds, C., & Rovnak, A. (2009). A critical analysis of the social advocacy movement in counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 87(4), 483491.
Spengler, P. M., White, M. J., Egisdottir, S., Maugherman, A. S, Anderson, L. A., Cook, R. S., & Rush, J. D. (2009). The meta-analysis of clinical judgment project: Effects of experience on judgment accuracy. The Counseling Psychologist, 37, 350& amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; lt; /font>384.
Torres, L. (2009). Latino definitions of success: A cultural model of intercultural competence. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 31, 576-593.
Yeh, C., & Inman, A. (2007). Qualitative data analysis and interpretation in counseling psychology: Strategies for best practices. The Counseling Psychologist, 35(3), 3694 03.
Zalaquett, C., & Stens, A. (2006). Psychosocial treatments for major depression and dysthymia in older adults: A review of the research literature. Journal of Counseling & Development, 84(2), 192201.
Handouts

Scenarios for Week 4 Discussion
Theses/Dissertations

Devine, J. (2009). The effect of equine assisted psychotherapy on coping resiliency (Master's thesis). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. (UMI No. 1465628)
Kelley, W. D. (2009). The effectiveness of Reiki as a complement to traditional mental health services (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. (UMI No. 3371250)
K'Solito, T. (2009). Cognitive behavioral techniques used to complement medication for improved pain control in cancer treatment (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. (UMI No. 3366535)
Luck, T. T. (2009). The effect of personality characteristics and various aspects of genetic counseling on compassion fatigue, satisfaction, and burnout (Master's thesis). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. (UMI No. 1467461)