Qualitative research in counseling: A reflection for novice counselor researchers

There is nothing new under the sun, and this paper does not claim to advance knowledge per se, but merely to reframe existing knowledge in light of an emerging discipline. Of particular interest are theoretical issues that underpin much of qualitative inquiry and other forms of research. Students of research will find an enormous wealth of methods texts to assist in the design of projects (Minichiello, Sullivan, Greenwood, & Axford, 1999). Instead, this paper focuses on more abstract considerations that might be considered trans-theoretical. Issues like how research relates to clinical practice; how both are interrelated through analysis of power, influence, and control; how validity of knowledge (in both research and clinical practice) is evaluated in the current environment; and how forming basic underlying values or theories of research can clarify and enhance both research design and counseling awareness. Within this discussion, examples will be used from a qualitative study on homophobia in counseling (Bowers, Plummer, & Minichiello, 2005a). This study was conducted under the supervision of Professors David Plummer and Victor Minichiello.