Assignment 1: Quantitative Journal Article Review (JAR1) is due by the end of Unit 2. The purpose
of an article review is to communicate the main points of a study and to discuss the implications, strengths and
weaknesses of the design. The review is not meant to re-iterate the details of the article nor to paraphrase each
point; instead, it should summarize and critique the article.
To help get you started thinking about quantitative research, here is a brief summary of what you will learn in
the upcoming Units 1, 2, 3 and 5. There are four main types of Quantitative research: Descriptive,
Correlational, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, and Experimental Research.
1) Experimental research is a scientific method used to test a hypothesis or premise. Experimental research
consists of a control group (not exposed to the experimental treatment; the dependent variable) and an
experimental group (is exposed to the treatment; the independent variable). (Units 1-2)
2) Correlational research is a systematic investigation of relationships between two or more variables used to
explain the nature of relationships in the world. Correlations may be positive (if one variable increases, the
other variable also increases) or negative (if one variable increases, the other variable decreases). (Unit 3)
Here is a video lecture on Correlational research: Crawl, D. (2014). Correlational Research [Video File].
Norse Course Clips. Northern Kentucky University. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiyc20GfclU
3) Quasi-experimental is a study that resembles an experiment, but random assignment had no role in
determining which participants were placed on a specific level of treatment. (Unit 3)
Here is a video lecture on Quasi-experimental design. Research Designs: Quasi-Experimental Designs (2016).
[Video File]. University of Amsterdam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N-DKY09GM4
4) Descriptive research is a description and exploration of phenomena in real-life situations and characteristics.
Samples of data of particular individuals, situations or groups are summarized and described. (Unit 5)
Instructions – Assignment 1
Complete a Journal Article Review (JAR1) using this JAR1 Template. The article you choose to review, will,
ideally, contribute to the selection and development of your final paper topic. Locate ONE quantitative journal
article related to counselling from scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles (published within the last 10 years)
available online. You may search for your article via the Yorkville Library or through other online scholarly search
engines or databases, such as Google Scholar, ERIC, BASE, PubMed Health.
For JAR1, the research design must be quantitative. Quantitative research design uses deductive reasoning. The
purpose of quantitative research is to test hypotheses, look at cause and effect, and to make predictions. Quantitative
data analysis is based on precise measurements using structured and validated data-collection instruments. The final
research report for a quantitative study is a statistical report with correlations, comparisons of means, and the
statistical significance of findings as is appropriate to the particular design of the study. For JAR1, the research
method, data analysis (statistics), and results should be clearly discussed.
Note: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Pilot studies and Single-subject case studies are not permitted.
The purpose of an article review is to communicate the main points of a study and to discuss the implications,
strengths and weaknesses of the design. The review is not meant to re-iterate the details of the study nor to
paraphrase each point; instead, it should summarize and discuss the study. These assignments are an opportunity for
you to demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts. For this paper, write in the third person; the idea is
always to remain neutral, objective, and personally uninvolved.
Make a copy of the JAR1 template and use it for your assignment. Type your selected quantitative journal article at
the top of the first page. Your JAR1 should be double-spaced, written in font 12-point Times New Roman. The
paper should be approximately 750 words (3-4 pages), excluding the title, abstract, and reference pages.
Please format and submit the JAR1 in Word (doc or docx only) and use APA style guidelines.
Instructions – Assignment 2
Complete a Journal Article Review (JAR2) using this JAR2 Template. The article you choose to review, will,
ideally, contribute to the selection and development of your final paper topic. Locate ONE qualitative journal article
related to counselling from scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles (published within the last 10 years) available
online. You may search for your article via the Yorkville Library or through other online scholarly search engines or
databases, such as Google Scholar, ERIC, BASE, PubMed Health.
For JAR2, the research design must be qualitative and utilize a formal qualitative methodology (e.g., grounded
theory, phenomenological, ethnographic). Qualitative research design is inductive in its reasoning. It is a systematic
subjective approach used to describe life experiences and to give these life experiences meaning. The goals for a
qualitative researcher are to gain insight and to explore the depth, richness, and complexity inherent in the
phenomenon under study. The final report for a qualitative study is a narrative report with contextual description &
direct quotations from research participants. A study that simply asks open-ended questions and reports the results
will not meet the requirements for this assignment. For JAR2, the research method, data analysis, and results should
be clearly discussed.
Note: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Pilot studies and Single-subject case studies are not permitted.
The purpose of an article review is to communicate the main points of a study and to discuss the implications,
strengths and weaknesses of the design. The review is not meant to re-iterate the details of the study nor to
paraphrase each point; instead, it should summarize and discuss the study. These assignments are an opportunity for
you to demonstrate your understanding of the course concepts. For this paper, write in the third person; the idea is
always to remain neutral, objective, and personally uninvolved.
Make a copy of the JAR2 template and use it for your assignment. Type your selected qualitative journal article at
the top of the first page. Your JAR2 should be double-spaced, written in font 12-point Times New Roman. The
paper should be approximately 750 words (3-4 pages), excluding the title, abstract, and reference pages.
Please format and submit the JAR2 in Word (doc or docx only) and use APA style guidelines.
Instructions – Final Assignment
For Assignment 3: Final project, you are asked to complete a comprehensive literature review of your chosen topic.
Guidelines on how to structure your paper are provided in the Final Project Template. Select at least 12 peerreviewed journal articles (published within the last 10 years) related to your topic (preferably six quantitative and six
qualitative). For the comprehensive literature review, be sure that the research design in the articles selected is
either quantitative or qualitative. You MUST distinguish the design types in the discussion.
Note: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Pilot studies and Single-subject case studies are not permitted.
Ensure the comprehensive literature review:
1. includes sections and subsections identified in the template;
2. focuses on the topic that you have chosen in Assignment 1;
3. includes a problem statement and research question(s) that specifically describes what
you would like to know about your chosen topic;
4. summarizes the main points of the studies clearly, including assessment of reliability and
validity (for quantitative studies) and credibility, transferability, and dependability (for
qualitative studies);
5. includes specific recommendations for future research in both the quantitative and
qualitative realms;
6. demonstrates evidence of insight and synthesis of ideas from various parts of the course,
including ethical considerations; and
7. is well written, accurate, and concise.
Your paper should be double-spaced, written in font 12-point Times New Roman. The paper should be
approximately 2500 words (8-10 pages), excluding the title, abstract, and reference pages.
Please format and submit the final project in Word (doc or docx only) and use APA style guidelines.