Reference Inaccuracies in Two Counseling Journals

Article, book, and dissertation entries in reference lists in one volume year for two counseling journals were searched for accuracy. Among 2,388 verified references (85.7% of all cited references), 1,072 (44.9%) contained at least one error. Multiple errors in some references produced a total of 1,643 faults or errors. Data were tallied by reference segments (e.g., author, title). Findings paralleled data in five reports of similar research, principally for medical journals, published in the 1970s. The nature and frequencies of deviations from the original source were such that only some of the errors could be explained as typographical. At least with reference list preparation, writers in the counseling field, as well as elsewhere, seem to be taking insufficient care in their scholarly writing.     

A Computer-Administered Examination in Professional Ethics

The rationale and procedure for a computer-administered examination in professional ethics is presented. Benefits for instructors and students of professional ethics in counseling and counseling psychology are discussed.     

A Multidimensional Analysis of the Mental Health of Graduate Counselors in Training

The mental health of graduate counselor trainees was examined. Trainees demonstrated more psychopathy than did the normal population on 6 of the 10 scales used.     

Retraining Programs for Displaced Workers in the Post-Industrial Era: An exploration of government policies and programs in Canada and England

Widespread worker displacement is an increasing phenomenon in industrialized countries. Whether the result of globalization, increased technology or resource depletion, large numbers of people are being permanently displaced from work. The problem is more severe in regions where the unemployment base centres on a single industry or resource. In such areas there is often little chance of re-employment. This paper considers government-initiated programs developed in response to widespread worker displacement. It does so within the context of my doctoral dissertation research, which is nearing fieldwork completion. The paper introduces the problem of widespread worker displacement. It considers two government programs developed to address need resulting from the closure of the Northern Cod fishery on Canada's Atlantic coast and the decline of the mining industry in England. The paper then discusses post-industrialism and post-Fordism as a framework through which to view the problem.     

A Factor Analysis of the Counseling-Orientation Preference Scale (COS)

As recommended by the authors of the Counseling-Orientation Preference Scale (COS), a factor analysis study was conducted to investigate the construct validity of the device. Data were collected from 686 respondents in 11 higher education institutions in the U.S. Means and standard deviations from this group and from two previously studied groups were reported. As might be expected from an instrument of 35 items divided into 7 subscales of 5 items each, the results indicated that items were not identified cleanly with the a priori placements used in the original construction. Basically, two major cluster groupings were found. Overall, some support for the construct validity of the COS was found; however, subscale interpretations must be made with caution. The utility of the COS and similar devices is in the self-study and reflection that is fostered in those who use them.     

Wellbeing and Education: Issues of Culture and Authority

The idea that education should equip people to lead flourishing lives and help others to do so is now becoming salient in policy-making circles. Philosophy of education can help here by clarifying what flourishing consists in. This essay examines one aspect of this. It rejects the view that wellbeing goods are derivable from human nature, as in the theories of Howard Gardner and Edmond Holmes. It locates them, rather, as cultural products, but not culturally-relative ones, drawing attention to the proliferating forms they have taken over the past three or four centuries. It looks to aesthetics and art criticism as a guide to a philosophical treatment of wellbeing goods more generally. It also takes off from aesthetics and art criticism in seeking to identify reliable authorities on the flourishing life. On this, it rejects elitist conceptions in favour of a more democratic model, emphasising its importance in education for citizenship.