Present Status and Future Directions for Policy Research and Evaluation in School-Based Counseling

Abstract

This capstone chapter summarizes the contributions of 32 chapters of the International Handbook for Policy Research in School-Based Counseling. Summaries of 13 chapters examining various aspects of policy research methodology are presented. Topics include research ethics, scoping reviews, comparative survey research, mixed methods evaluation, needs assessment, methodological reviews, outcome research, effectiveness research, large database mining, evaluation of state policies, qualitative methods, cost-benefit analysis, and comparative case study approaches. In addition, a global summary is presented based on the findings and conclusions of handbook chapters from Nigeria and neighboring countries; countries in Eastern and Southern Africa; the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan; South Korea; India; Bangladesh; Malaysia; the UK; Malta; Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries; the USA; Canada; Australia; New Zealand; and Costa Rica, Venezuela, and other South American countries. Each of these national and regional reviews described the policy landscape for school-based counseling, summarized existing policy research, and identified needed policy research based upon research gaps and national policy issues. Finally, an agenda for promoting the development of the international infrastructure needed to support conduct, dissemination, and use of rigorous, impactful school-based counseling policy research is presented. This agenda includes the formation of the International Society for Policy Research and Evaluation in School-Based Counseling to continue the work that has been initiated by this handbook.