I feel hopeful. Quite a few other classmates are also Open University students. Dr. Beach also teaches the Thesis writing course for Counselor Education. She passed out the course outline (greensheet) and reviewed the projects and objectives. My impression is that this course is doable -- I'll need to put in a lot of work, but there will also be guidance --the class is listed as a seminar, not a lecture. .
The ice breaker this evening was based on the Smalley and Trent Personality Inventory. We were asked to describe ourselves according to characteristics of animal categories: Lion, Otter, Golden Labrador and Beaver. I put myself in the middle, but definitely crossing the Golden Lab/Beaver axis. I'm definitely not a Lion (leader) nor am I a Beaver. There were two columns of descriptive words for each of the four categories and I found that I seemed to choose traits in the right hand column of each category. Traits that I chose Adventurous, stong willed , independent, self-reliant, enjoys challenges (Lion traits), Likes variety, enjoys change, creative, new ideas, optimistic (Otter); Adaptable, Sympathetic, Thoughtful, Nurturing , Patient, Tolerant, Good listener (Golden Lab) and discerning, analytical, inquisitive (Beaver)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Research paper: What is an intervention?
The term intervention in the description of the Proposed Intervention Project made me anxious. I consulted two retired social workers. Both were familiar with a family intervention -- a meeting where family and friends are brought in to challenge an individual with a problem (e.g. alcohol or drug abuse) It's clear from reading the description that's not what is meant in the context of this research paper. I emailed the lecturer who sent me the same information from the syllabus.
Reading the description this evening before the class, I realized that the emphasis is on a focus of interest -- and this is a learning project, first of all.
Reading the description this evening before the class, I realized that the emphasis is on a focus of interest -- and this is a learning project, first of all.
Course Outline Concerns: EDCO 215
Looking over the course outline for EDCO 215, it seems like a class that I could learn a lot from, even if I don't take further classes. Introduction to Counseling; an Art and Science Perspective (Nystull 2010), Journal entries (which is what this blog is about) a genogram and a research paper. My classmates and I will be graded on class attendance and participation, a group presentation on a chapter from the textbook and a research paper or proposed intervention project.
The research paper counts for up to 50%.
Here's how the syllabus describes the project:
Proposed Intervention Project (Research Paper):
The primary purpose of this project will be for you to learn about research design, action research and program evaluation. You will create an intervention proposal using at least one theory of counseling. This type of project will be similar in structure to your final Thesis project, although it will be much less involved due to the obvious time limitations and scope of this class. Consider an area of interest within the field of counseling and/or education and develop the following: (put these sections in):
Abstract
A. Statement of the Problem: What is the problem, issue, or subject you wish to address?
B. Statement of Significance: Why is this issue important to address? What would be the
importance of your proposed intervention?
C. A Literature Review: This is a brief summary (3-6 pages) of the existing research on the subject you wish to address. In other words, summarize how previous research has attempted to address this problem. Be sure to use APA style in citing any/all research in your paper. (You may use sources from the Nystul text).
D. Research Design: What will be your research methodology – experimental design, qualitative or quantitative study. You will want to include demographic information regarding the population you’re interested in working with. You will need to describe the intervention in some detail and include information on how you would measure the effectiveness of your intervention (ex: pre-post testing).
E. Data Analysis: What kind of data you will need to collect for the purpose of your study. You will search online to gather information for program evaluation.
F. Intervention: Develop an intervention that will address the problem that you have identified (ex: a three day/three hour workshop for 8th graders on sexual harassment prevention/education).
You will need six to ten references on the topic. At least one should be from a research-based journal (ex: Journal of Counseling and Development). You are expected to use at least one Theory of counseling either in the Literature Review or to support your Intervention.
You will not have to formally present your Proposed Intervention Project to the class, although I may have you briefly discuss your topic in class (3-5 minutes).
G. Discussion Section: This is the conclusion of your paper where you will discuss the type of results that you might expect, potential problems with the intervention, and how your intervention would generalize in helping society at large. (you may use “I” here).
H. Project Evaluation: Most students design programs for their theses in our department. For this type of project you need to develop strategies to evaluate outcomes of your program.
Please use the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition) as your reference guide for completing this paper. All papers must be typed, double-spaced, and must follow APA style (including an abstract and the above mentioned sections) in order to receive full consideration. (15 pages required).
The research paper counts for up to 50%.
Here's how the syllabus describes the project:
Proposed Intervention Project (Research Paper):
The primary purpose of this project will be for you to learn about research design, action research and program evaluation. You will create an intervention proposal using at least one theory of counseling. This type of project will be similar in structure to your final Thesis project, although it will be much less involved due to the obvious time limitations and scope of this class. Consider an area of interest within the field of counseling and/or education and develop the following: (put these sections in):
Abstract
A. Statement of the Problem: What is the problem, issue, or subject you wish to address?
B. Statement of Significance: Why is this issue important to address? What would be the
importance of your proposed intervention?
C. A Literature Review: This is a brief summary (3-6 pages) of the existing research on the subject you wish to address. In other words, summarize how previous research has attempted to address this problem. Be sure to use APA style in citing any/all research in your paper. (You may use sources from the Nystul text).
D. Research Design: What will be your research methodology – experimental design, qualitative or quantitative study. You will want to include demographic information regarding the population you’re interested in working with. You will need to describe the intervention in some detail and include information on how you would measure the effectiveness of your intervention (ex: pre-post testing).
E. Data Analysis: What kind of data you will need to collect for the purpose of your study. You will search online to gather information for program evaluation.
F. Intervention: Develop an intervention that will address the problem that you have identified (ex: a three day/three hour workshop for 8th graders on sexual harassment prevention/education).
You will need six to ten references on the topic. At least one should be from a research-based journal (ex: Journal of Counseling and Development). You are expected to use at least one Theory of counseling either in the Literature Review or to support your Intervention.
You will not have to formally present your Proposed Intervention Project to the class, although I may have you briefly discuss your topic in class (3-5 minutes).
G. Discussion Section: This is the conclusion of your paper where you will discuss the type of results that you might expect, potential problems with the intervention, and how your intervention would generalize in helping society at large. (you may use “I” here).
H. Project Evaluation: Most students design programs for their theses in our department. For this type of project you need to develop strategies to evaluate outcomes of your program.
Please use the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th edition) as your reference guide for completing this paper. All papers must be typed, double-spaced, and must follow APA style (including an abstract and the above mentioned sections) in order to receive full consideration. (15 pages required).
Back to Classes: almost 30 years later
Times are hard and last year my not so brilliant career went bung -- well, not quite. What I feared happened: my part-time hours at the library were reduced from 30 to 20 due to budget cuts in library services, despite my seniority. I'm still working at the library I love and doing interesting things like crocheting, volunteering at the Listening Post, growing vegetables like kohlrabi and jerusalem artichokes and loofahs (but didn't get into the SCC Master Gardeners program.) Since I've volunteered off and on for counseling projects (LifeLine, Contact, Stephen Ministry, Listening Post, the next step was to get more training. I have an overseas degrees in anthropology and linguistics and library science, but there's always been fear of issues of getting credentials accepted by the CSU system. To test the waters I've enrolled in EDCO 215: Introduction to Counseling and Guidance at SJSU's Open University program. From last semester's course description, it seems a good introduction and could count as credit if I eventually enroll in a Master's Program and go on to a new career in the helping professions.Yes, I'm anxious. I hope to always go on learning new things, but sometimes there limits as to what can be absorbed.
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