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N = 1 Research Methodology in Counselling: Focusing upon the Individual Client

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2016

Christopher F. Sharpley
Christopher F. Sharpley*
Affiliation:
Bond University, Australia
*
School of Health Sciences, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD 4229, Australia
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Abstract

Although the last 20years have seen a focus upon evidence-based therapies, there are arguments that much of the so-called “evidence” produced is, in fact, irrelevant to the mental health practitioner in the field, principally because of the use of large-scale group designs in clinical controlled studies of the effectiveness of one therapy over another. By contrast, and with particular relevance to the practitioner who is both scientist and therapist, single subject research designs and methodologies for data analysis can be applied in ways that allow for generalisation to everyday practice. To inform the readership, the rationale underlying n = 1 studies is described, with some explanation of the major designs and their application to typical cases in guidance and counselling. Issues of inferential deductions from data, variations of design, data analysis via visual and statistical procedures, and replication are discussed. Finally, a case is argued for the introduction of n = 1 reports within the Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling to better inform the readership about clinical research findings relevant to their practices.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , December 2003 , pp. 133 - 144
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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