Quantitative Approaches to Group Research: Suggestions for Best Practices

Abstract

Rigorous scholarship is essential to the continued growth of group work, yet the unique nature of this counseling specialty poses challenges for quantitative researchers. The purpose of this proposal is to overview unique challenges to quantitative research with groups in the counseling field, including difficulty in obtaining large sample sizes and the violation of the independence assumption. Current practice is illustrated by referencing recent quantitative research in The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, and recommendations are provided for best practices in designing, analyzing, and reporting quantitative research.

Keywords:

• best practices
• counseling
• group research
• quantitative research

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christopher J. McCarthy

Christopher J. McCarthy, Ph.D., is a professor; Tiffany A. Whittaker, Ph.D., is an associate professor; and Lauren H. Boyle, M.S., and Maytal Eyal, M.A., are doctoral students of Counseling Psychology, in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.

Tiffany A. Whittaker

Christopher J. McCarthy, Ph.D., is a professor; Tiffany A. Whittaker, Ph.D., is an associate professor; and Lauren H. Boyle, M.S., and Maytal Eyal, M.A., are doctoral students of Counseling Psychology, in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.

Lauren H. Boyle

Christopher J. McCarthy, Ph.D., is a professor; Tiffany A. Whittaker, Ph.D., is an associate professor; and Lauren H. Boyle, M.S., and Maytal Eyal, M.A., are doctoral students of Counseling Psychology, in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.

Maytal Eyal

Christopher J. McCarthy, Ph.D., is a professor; Tiffany A. Whittaker, Ph.D., is an associate professor; and Lauren H. Boyle, M.S., and Maytal Eyal, M.A., are doctoral students of Counseling Psychology, in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.