Further extensions of methodological diversity for counseling psychology.

Discusses the state of the art of research methodology in counseling psychology, which consists of the use of diverse methods. However, the diversity is limited to methods consistent with the values and logical framework of science as developed by the physical sciences. A further extension of methodology is required in order to include maturing alternative systems of inquiry such as systemic and structural methods, techniques designed to study goal-directed human action, and hermeneutic and phenomenological approaches. External critique from the philosophy of science and internal dissatisfaction expressed by practitioners are providing a renewed impetus to explore research strategies based in nonformal systems of logic. The need for and theoretical justification of diverse systems of inquiry are becoming more evident, yet a body of research examples or training strategies has not yet developed. It is important for the discipline of counseling psychology to support the development of alternative research strategies and to assume leadership in creating training methods for their use. (65 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)