Counseling Commons^™

The Pond You Fish In Determines The Fish You Catch: Exploring Strategies For Qualitative Data Collection, Muninder Kaur Ahluwalia, Lisa A. Suzuki, Agnes Kwong Arora, Jacqueline S. Mattis

Department of Counseling Scholarship and Creative Works

Qualitative research has increased in popularity among social scientists. While substantial attention has been given to various methods of qualitative analysis, there is a need to focus on strategies for collecting diverse forms of qualitative data. In this article, the authors discuss four sources of qualitative data: participant observation, interviews, physical data, and electronic data. Although counseling psychology researchers often use interviewing, participant observation and physical and electronic data are also beneficial ways of collecting qualitative data that have been underutilized.

Coming Together: New Taxonomies For The Analysis Of Social Relations, Karen Cerulo, Janet M. Ruane

Department of Sociology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

In previous work, we have noted a certain rigidity in sociology's approach to the topic of social relations (Cerulo 1997; Cerulo and Ruane 1997; Cerulo, Ruane, and Chayko 1992). With few exceptions, literature on the subject dichotomizes social relations with reference to the scope of the interaction (small group versus large group) and the mode by which social actors connect (direct connections versus mediated connections). Further, many researchers implicitly rank the social value of each relational form. Sociologists typically identify a society's primary and most valuable relations as the result of direct, physically copresent exchange, exchange involving relatively few interactants. …

Psychological Barriers To White Counselors' Racial Identity Development, Kathleen Rice

Graduate Research Papers

White racial identity development includes abandoning racism and considering racial information more objectively. Racial identity is a key aspect of multicultural competency, which is a high priority within the counseling profession. Psychological barriers to White counselors' racial identity development include personal characteristics, cognitive strategies, and beliefs. Personal traits related to racism include poorer overall mental health, more anxiety, more neurotic tendencies, and less open, extroverted, agreeable, flexible, responsible, and tolerant personalities.

Cognitive processes to avoid confronting the reality of racial issues include self distortion, defense mechanisms, dysconsciousness, stereotyping, and stigmatization. Racist attitudes are maintained by specific beliefs including the myths …

The Role Of The School Counselor And Internet Predators, Julie A. Schmidt

Graduate Research Papers

Children and adolescents are vulnerable in person and now have become vulnerable through technology. The Internet is becoming larger, and so are the opportunities for predators to contact children. Using the Internet and online chat rooms, sexual predators begin to groom their victims and move the relationship forward. Children become involved in sexual photographs, videos, and telephone conversations. Eventually, a meeting is set up between the child and the predator.

Many people need to be provided information to keep children safe, and the issue needs to be addressed at all governmental and educational levels. School counselors can take charge and …

Adolescent Dating Abuse, Becky Krieg

Graduate Research Papers

Abuse can take on many forms. Many adolescents have not developed a full understanding of what a healthy relationship is. Dating abuse is becoming problematic within the adolescent population and a growing concern for those in the field of school counseling. School counselors need to be able to recognize signs of both potential abusers and their victims, and provide prevention and intervention strategies involved with adolescent dating abuse. Through education and involvement of the school and community, counselors will be effective in helping to diminish the cycle of dating abuse among adolescents.