The purpose of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a piece of supervised, independent research into a specific area of professional interest related to counselling children and young people. You will be expected to design, organise, and carry out a research plan which they will present to your supervisor. This module focuses on application of a full range of research skills that are required to produce a research project. You will demonstrate skills that include literature searching and critiquing, methodologies, choosing appropriate research techniques, qualitative and quantitative techniques, data collection and analysis as well as research reporting.

A research report of 6000 words maximum, detailing rationale, methods, findings and conclusions from the program of research (LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5).

A completed research supervision log, providing evidence of structured and planned use of supervisory meetings and sensible time management and a statement from their research supervisor confirming that they have provided evidence of data-collection (LO3). Pass/Fail.

Formative Assessment:
Research supervisors will offer feedback on one draft version of the final project. How this is implemented will be negotiated between the supervisor and student.

One to one supervision sessions (6 X 20 mins each)
Interactive lectures, peer support groups and discussion
Identifying, reading and understanding relevant literature, library and internet searching. Research planning and preparation. Data collection. Data processing and analysis. Report planning and writing.

1. Demonstrate a detailed and critical understanding of literature including an understanding of the limits of that literature, in one area of counselling children and young people.
Enquiry
Knowledge and Understanding

2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of ethical and methodological issues within the chosen area of counselling children and young people research.
Enquiry
Knowledge and Understanding

3. Conduct empirical research independently whilst utilising supervision.
Enquiry
Reflection

4. Identify and critically evaluate appropriate empirical methods and data analysis techniques and apply these to a counselling research study.
Analysis
Problem solving

5. Present a clear written account of the rationale, methods, findings and conclusions of a counselling research study that you have designed and conducted yourself.
Communication

Library
IT resources including PowerPoints
VLE - SOALR
Core texts

Mcleod, J. (2008). Doing Counselling Research. Sage.

Carmichael, J.M. (2013). Challenges in Counselling Research. Hodder Education

Long, T. (2007). Research Ethics in the Real world. Churchill Livingstone

The purpose of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a piece of supervised, independent research into a specific area of professional interest related to counselling children and young people. You will be expected to design, organise, and carry out a research plan which they will present to your supervisor. This module focuses on application of a full range of research skills that are required to produce a research project. You will demonstrate skills that include literature searching and critiquing, methodologies, choosing appropriate research techniques, qualitative and quantitative techniques, data collection and analysis as well as research reporting.