Assignment:
Discussion Response Instructions
The student must then post 2 replies of at least 100 words. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years and all references must be formatted in current APA style.
Andi Slusser
What have you learned in this class that has yielded the most significant transformation in your thoughts and/or understanding about research in general and qualitative research in particular? Need Assignment Help?
One of the most significant transformations in my understanding of research has been recognizing that qualitative research is more than simply collecting stories, it is a rigorous, systematic process that weeks to understand the meaning individuals assign to their lived experiences.
What learning experiences (readings, assignments, presentations, etc.) contributed most significantly to your learning (and why do you think that is so)?
The assignment that contributed most significantly to my learning were the development of the research overview plan and the field notes interviews. These assignments required me to go beyond understanding research conceptually and begin applying qualitative methods to my own study. While conducting the two interviews and documenting fields notes, o was able to appreciate the importance of active listening, asking open-ended questions, and allowing participants to describe their experiences in their own worlds.
How (if at all) do you think the insights you gained about research in general-and qualitative research in particular-have prepared you for starting your dissertation?
This course has allowed me to gain confidence within myself in beginning the dissertation process. I now have a better understanding of how each component of a qualitative study sits together and the importance of methodological alignment. Instead of looking at the dissertation as an overwhelming project, I now see it as a series of intentional and interconnected steps grounded in qualitative research principles.
What insights have you gleaned during this class that you are most likely to continue to investigate through research literature and/or experientially exploration?
The insight I am most interested in continuing to explore is the value of giving voice to populations whose experiences are often underrepresented in research. I believe the dissertation process will allow me to continue to explore this perspective.
Reply to Lorelei Copper
What You Have Learned?
What have you learned in this class that has yielded the most significant transformation in your thoughts and/or understanding about research in general and qualitative research in particular?
What I have learned in this class that has yielded the most significant transformation I've experienced is my elevated appreciation for the philosophical underpinnings and rigor inherent in qualitative research. My views were challenged as they effectively articulated the five qualitative approaches-narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study-and connected them to philosophical assumptions about ontology, epistemology, and method. The reading helped me to recognize that qualitative research is systematic, reliable, and crucial for capturing the intricate nature of human experiences in counseling and education.
What learning experiences (readings, assignments, presentations, etc.) contributed most significantly to your learning (and why do you think that is so)?
The collection and analysis assignments, including interview practice and initial coding, were real learning experiences, which contributed most significantly to my learning. The reason I think this is so, is that when applying ideas it showed me the iterative, reflexive nature of qualitative analysis and the importance of managing bias through reflexivity. Article critiques and peer discussions allowed me to evaluate real studies against the standards outlined by Creswell and Poth (2025) reinforcing how these principles apply in published counselor education research.
How (if at all) do you think the insights you gained about research in general-and qualitative research in particular-have prepared you for starting your dissertation?
The insights that I have gained from researching in general and qualitative research have prepared me for starting my dissertation journey I now feel equipped to:
- Articulate a strong qualitative research question.
- Choose a proper method and justify it philosophically.
- Plan for ethical considerations and trustworthiness strategies from the outset.
- Recognize that the dissertation is not just about "getting it done," but about contributing meaningfully to the field through rich, contextual understanding.
I'm particularly excited about the potential of using qualitative methods to explore topics in counselor education or clinical supervision. This course has lessened my anxiety about the qualitative dissertation process by providing a clear framework to follow.
What insights have you gleaned during this class that you are most likely to continue to investigate through research literature and/or experientially exploration?
The insights that I have gleaned during this class that I will most likely continue reading primary source for phenomenology or more works by Creswell and Poth (2025) and seek experiential opportunities through pilot studies or collaborative projects. Thank you, Professor Milacci and my classmates, for a rich, supportive learning experience and community. This course has equipped me not only with skills but with a renewed excitement for qualitative inquiry as a tool for meaningful discovery.
References:
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2025). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.