What is the difference between clinical significance and statistical significance? How might these concepts be applied to program evaluation? Give an example of an instance in which you might be torn between two types of significance in the reported results of research. What are some other types of statistical evaluations that help to sort out the true significance of clinical research findings? Provide at least two scholarly references for your discussion and justifications.

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What is the difference between clinical significance and statistical significance? How might these concepts be applied to program evaluation? Give an example of an instance in which you might be torn between two types of significance in the reported results of research. What are some other types of statistical evaluations that help to sort out the true significance of clinical research findings? Provide at least two scholarly references for your discussion and justifications.
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1. When should you use qualitative methods when conducting counseling research? Provide at least two examples in your response as well as rationale

2. What is the difference between clinical significance and statistical significance? How might these concepts be applied to program evaluation? Give an example of an instance in which you might be torn between two types of significance in the reported results of research. What are some other types of statistical evaluations that help to sort out the true significance of clinical research findings? Provide at least two scholarly references for your discussion and justifications.

3. What might be some advantages and disadvantages of using online surveys? Discuss and describe how you might do the following:

  1. Choose an online survey tool/instrument
  2. Select your participants
  3. Create assurance of informed consent and confidentiality
  4. Evaluate the reliability and validity of your application of the survey measurement instrument

Provide at least two scholarly sources to support #34. In making decisions about your use of a mixed methods design study, describe and discuss the following:

  1. How you will determine the order in which to implement qualitative and quantitative aspects of the study
  2. How you will decide the extent to which each type of data [qualitative and quantitative] will be incorporated into your study
  3. How you will decide if the two types of data are to be combined/mixed
  4. How you will determine and apply a theory guiding the design of your study

Provide at least two scholarly sources to support #4

ANSWER

Qualitative methods are valuable in counseling research when exploring complex and subjective phenomena that cannot be easily measured or quantified. They provide in-depth insights and rich descriptions, allowing researchers to understand the lived experiences, perspectives, and meanings attributed by individuals. Here are two examples:

 

Example 1: Exploring the impact of trauma on mental health outcomes

In counseling research, qualitative methods can be used to investigate the experiences of individuals who have undergone traumatic events. Through interviews or focus groups, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the psychological, emotional, and social consequences of trauma (Murphy et al., 2022). Qualitative approaches help capture the nuances of trauma’s effects, such as post-traumatic growth or resilience, which may not be adequately captured by quantitative measures alone.

 

Example 2: Examining the therapeutic alliance in counseling sessions

Qualitative methods are useful in studying the therapeutic alliance, which is the quality of the relationship between a therapist and a client. Researchers can employ methods like observation, audio/video recordings, or qualitative interviews to explore the client’s perception of the alliance, including their feelings of trust, collaboration, and empathy. These qualitative data provide valuable insights into the subjective experience of the therapeutic relationship, complementing quantitative measures of alliance strength.

 

Rationale

Qualitative methods allow researchers to delve into the richness and complexity of human experiences, emotions, and social interactions. They offer flexibility in data collection and analysis, enabling researchers to explore emergent themes and generate new hypotheses. By using qualitative methods in counseling research, researchers can uncover subjective meanings, contextual factors, and individual perspectives that quantitative methods may overlook.

 

Clinical significance and statistical significance are distinct concepts in research and evaluation. Clinical significance refers to the practical importance or meaningfulness of a finding in terms of its impact on real-world outcomes or decision-making. Statistical significance, on the other hand, refers to the probability that an observed effect is not due to chance (Gilmore et al., 1996).

 

In program evaluation, clinical significance focuses on the practical relevance of the program’s outcomes. For example, if a substance abuse intervention results in a small decrease in relapse rates but leads to significant improvements in participants’ quality of life and social functioning, it may be considered clinically significant. Statistical significance, on the other hand, is concerned with the probability that the observed changes in outcome are not simply due to random variation.

 

Example: A program evaluation studying the effectiveness of a new teaching method in improving students’ academic performance. The study finds that the new method leads to a statistically significant improvement in test scores. However, when considering clinical significance, it is crucial to ask whether the magnitude of the improvement is practically meaningful. If the effect size is small and unlikely to have a substantial impact on students’ long-term educational outcomes, the clinical significance may be limited.

 

Other types of statistical evaluations that help determine the true significance of clinical research findings include effect sizes, confidence intervals, and meta-analyses. These approaches provide a more comprehensive understanding of the magnitude and consistency of effects across studies.

 

Online surveys offer several advantages and disadvantages in research. When choosing an online survey tool, considerations such as user-friendly interface, data management features, and compatibility with various devices should be taken into account. One commonly used tool is Qualtrics, which provides a range of survey creation and data analysis options.

 

To select participants for online surveys, researchers can employ various strategies. They may recruit participants from specific online communities or use targeted sampling techniques. Alternatively, researchers can utilize existing databases or employ random sampling methods to ensure a representative sample. It is important to consider the target population, research objectives, and ethical considerations when selecting participants.

 

Ensuring informed consent and confidentiality in online surveys involves clear communication with participants. Researchers should provide a detailed explanation of the study’s purpose, potential risks and benefits, and participant rights. Consent can be obtained through online consent forms, requiring participants to read and agree to the terms before proceeding. Confidentiality can be assured by using secure data storage, anonymizing responses, and using unique participant identifiers instead of personal information.

 

The reliability and validity of online survey measurements can be evaluated through several approaches. Researchers can assess internal consistency by examining the reliability of scales or items within the survey. Test-retest reliability can be measured by administering the survey to a subsample of participants on two separate occasions and comparing their responses. Validity can be established by comparing the survey results with established measures or conducting factor analyses to assess the underlying structure of the survey items.

 

When considering a mixed methods design study, several key decisions need to be made:

 

Determining the order of implementation: The order in which qualitative and quantitative aspects are implemented depends on the research questions and purpose of the study. If qualitative data are needed to inform the development of quantitative measures or to gain an in-depth understanding of the research topic, qualitative methods may precede quantitative methods. Conversely, if the quantitative results are needed to explore or explain qualitative findings, the quantitative phase may follow the qualitative phase.

 

Deciding the extent of incorporation: The extent to which qualitative and quantitative data are incorporated depends on the research aims and the balance needed between breadth and depth of understanding. Researchers may choose to give equal weight to both types of data, conducting a concurrent mixed methods design where qualitative and quantitative data are collected and analyzed concurrently (Alexander et al., 2008). Alternatively, a sequential design may be employed, where one type of data is used to inform the collection and analysis of the other.

 

Combining or mixing the data: The decision to combine or mix the data depends on the research questions and the level of integration desired. Integration can occur at the data level (combining qualitative and quantitative data during analysis), the results level (interpreting findings from both types of data together), or the interpretation level (synthesizing qualitative and quantitative findings into an overarching framework). The choice depends on the research aims and the potential for generating a more comprehensive understanding.

 

Determining and applying a theory: A theoretical framework guides the design and integration of qualitative and quantitative methods. The theory helps shape research questions, informs data collection and analysis, and guides the interpretation of findings. Researchers may draw on existing theories or develop new ones based on the research context. The application of theory ensures coherence and provides a foundation for understanding the relationships between variables and phenomena.

References

Alexander, V. D., Thomas, H., Cronin, A., Fielding, J., & Moran-Ellis, J. (2008). Mixed methods. Researching social life, 3, 125-144.https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Ff6ICwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA119&dq=When+considering+a+mixed+methods+design+study,+several+key+decisions+need+to+be+made:&ots=fZOAjn_h6o&sig=eF_UYMbkf_lYk5Te4GV1Z-WbjXc 

Gilmore, A., & Carson, D. (1996). “Integrative” qualitative methods in a services context. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 14(6), 21-26.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/02634509610131126/full/html  

Murphy, D., Williamson, C., Baumann, J., Busuttil, W., & Fear, N. T. (2022). Exploring the impact of COVID-19 and restrictions to daily living as a result of social distancing within veterans with pre-existing mental health difficulties. BMJ Mil Health, 168(1), 29-33.https://militaryhealth.bmj.com/content/168/1/29.abstract

References

 

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