Option A: Explore an Appropriate Counselling Theory in Depth
The development of an appropriate issue or question is crucial to this option. If you choose to review a counselling theory, your review must go beyond a mere summary of the theory. Instead, it must be more of a critical reflection or an application of the theory to a specific client problem.
NOTE: You must consult with and get approval from your tutor at the beginning of this project to make sure the topic and structure are appropriate for this type of research paper. Failure to get approval will result in a failing grade.
An example of this approach:
Choose a situation or problem for which people might seek counselling. Then choose a specific counselling theory, and apply its techniques or approach to deal with the situation or problem. The counselling approach you select must be supported in the literature. This means you must do a literature search and provide background research that demonstrates that the approach you have chosen is effective for the problem you are discussing. As part of this demonstration, you must also consider the limitations and/or contraindications of the approach. If you discover that you cannot locate current, relevant, and valid research to support your chosen approach, you should choose a different topic for your research paper.
Sample Topic
Issue: Eating disorder; specifically, Bulimia Nervosa
Counselling/Therapy Strategy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Research question: How effective is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in the treatment of Bulimia Nervosa?
- Provide a very brief history of CBT and a basic outline of how the therapy is used as applicable to the identified issue.
- Identify an applicable (hypothetical) client problem (e.g., eating disorders).
- Discuss and analyze the research related to CBT and its use with bulimia. Consider evidence supporting its use as well as limitations. Demonstrate how to apply CBT to this client problem (using primary sources per APA 6th Edition formatting guidelines).
- Integrate the research discussing the strengths and limitations of CBT to establish a scholarly conclusion about its effectiveness.
Preparation, Organization, and Format
The research paper should comprise three major sections: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. You may find it helpful to begin with an outline of the parts of your paper. The outline should illustrate how your arguments follow logically from the introductory statement of the topic into the body of the paper and through to the conclusion. It should also highlight any future research needs or practical applications you identified. You are encouraged to discuss your outline with your tutor before proceeding with the composition of your research paper.
Format
In accordance with APA style, your paper should be double-spaced and single-sided, using Times New Roman 12-point font. The body of the text for your paper should be approximately 10 to 12 pages in length (2800 to 3500 words), excluding title page and references.
A well-prepared paper will consist of three major parts: an introduction, the body of the report and a conclusion. It will start with a title page and end with a reference list. The paper is to be written in APA style. Ensure you familiarize yourself with the APA 6th Edition Tutorial available on the course website.
NOTE: APA states that citing a page number for a paraphrase is optional. For purposes of this assignment, page or paragraph citations are required for paraphrased information. The research paper must be an original work; that is, not copied from someone else, and not used in this course in a previous registration or in any other course taken at Athabasca University or elsewhere. Otherwise, this constitutes plagiarism and academic misconduct. Also ensure all assertions are cited appropriately, as that is also otherwise constituted as plagiarism.
