What term describes a research study conducted within the counseling field?

• A. Case study
• B. Meta-analysis
• C. Qualitative interview
• D. Counseling experiment

Answer: (D)

Research in counseling often distinguishes experimental investigations from descriptive or synthesis studies. A study described as a counseling experiment is one that tests the effects of a specific counseling intervention under controlled conditions, with careful measurement of outcomes to infer cause-and-effect. This emphasis on manipulating an intervention and observing resulting changes is what makes it a true experimental study conducted within the field.

A case study, in contrast, focuses on an in-depth description of one or a few clients or situations, highlighting processes and outcomes but not typically designed to establish causal relationships. A meta-analysis combines results from multiple studies to draw broader conclusions, rather than presenting new experimental data. A qualitative interview is a data collection method used within qualitative research to gather rich, narrative information, and it isn’t by itself a standalone study design.