| Title: |
Using, Abusing, and Understanding Research: A Guide for Counselors. |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Campbell, Patricia B.; Women's Educational Equity Act Program (ED), Washington, DC. |
| Availability: |
Women's Educational Equity Act Publishing Center, Education Development Center, 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02160. |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
9 |
| Publication Date: |
1986 |
| Intended Audience: |
Counselors; Practitioners |
| Document Type: |
Guides - Non-Classroom |
| Descriptors: |
Counselor Role; Data Interpretation; Educational Assessment; Educational Research; Elementary Secondary Education; Evaluation Utilization; Guidelines; Racial Bias; Research Design; Research Methodology; Research Problems; School Counseling; School Counselors; Sex Bias |
| Geographic Terms: |
U.S.; Massachusetts |
| ISBN: |
978-0-930040-56-7 |
| Abstract: |
This brochure highlights the role of the school counselor in using educational research, and emphasizes the relationship between bias (racism and sexism) and past and present research. The tests counselors use, the ways test results are interpreted, and counseling techniques are all based on educational research. Counselors are cautioned to remember that: not all research is done well or accurately; societal attitudes about people of color and women influence research and research results; and news reports and research abstracts do not include enough information to enable one to evaluate the research. Presently, bias and its impact on research may be more subtle than in the past, but biases about people of color and women still exist and influence researchers. The following myths concerning research and counseling are examined: (1) if research is published it must be accurate; (2) research and researchers are objective; (3) standardized tests are accurate objective measures providing information about students' interests, aptitudes, and achievement; and (4) counselors cannot understand research. In evaluating research, one must ask if: the authors' opinions or bias are obvious; authors use different terms depending on the race or sex of the subjects; the study describes who is being studied; the tests are fair; the study results apply only to people who are similar to those studied or are overgeneralized to include others; similarities and differences are reported about females and males and people from different races; and conclusions have more to do with the authors' expectations than with the research results. Suggestions are provided for reducing bias in research. (RLC) |
| Notes: |
This brochure is one of a series written to acquaint people with bias in research. For related documents, see TM 015 304-308. |
| Journal Code: |
RIEDEC1990 |
| Entry Date: |
1990 |
| Accession Number: |
ED322180 |
| Database: |
ERIC |