Standards of Care for Research in Group Work

ABSTRACT

The Standards of Care for Research in Group Work were developed in partnership between the Association for Assessment in Research in Counseling (AARC) and the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW). The purpose of these standards is to highlight empirically validated and literature-supported practices for conducting research in group work, as there are methodological and design considerations that are unique to group work research. These include, but are not limited to, small sample sizes that are often inherent in group work, the dependence of variables when measured in a group setting, historical lack of empirical rigor in group work research, and the need for theoretical and methodological congruence in qualitative research. During the development of this document, the committee used extant research standards to guide and center our efforts, and it was our intent for these standards to be used in conjunction with other established research standards. We also recognized the need to emphasize quantitative and qualitative research guidelines to encompass the importance of both types of research in the counseling field; and to highlight the importance of recognition and attention to concerns related to conducting group work research with participants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

KEYWORDS:

• group work
• research
• standards

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Clark D. Ausloos

Clark D. Ausloos, PhD, LPC, LPSC, NCC, serves as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Denver and practices clinically in Northwest Ohio.

Zachary Bloom

Zachary Bloom is an assistant professor at Northeastern Illinois University.

Kristopher M. Goodrich

Kristopher M. Goodrich is the Associate Dean for Research and Distance Education and a Professor of Counselor Education at the University of New Mexico.

K. Michelle Hunnicutt Hollenbaugh

K. Michelle Hunnicutt Hollenbaugh is an Associate Professor in the Counseling and Educational Psychology Department at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi.

John Taylor

John Taylor, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the Saint Louis University School of Nursing.

Caitlyn Bennett

Caitlyn Bennett is an Assistant Professor of Counseling and Director of the Cornell Counseling Clinic at Rollins College.

Ashley Blount

Ashley Blount is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Her research interests include Wellness Counseling, Women's Health, and Athletes and Former Athletes.

Jennifer Gerlach

Jennifer Gerlach, PhD, NCC is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Katy Schroeder

Katy Schroeder, PhD, NCC is an Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texasfessor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.