2008 CPR (Counselling and Psychotherapy Research) Student Essay Research Prize

Are you currently doing research for your degree?

Or have you recently completed a research project?

Counselling research is a developing field in an emerging discipline. Research carried out by students is part of this process.  Let your colleagues share your research results and let your contribution to the evolution of our work be better known.

The Editorial Board of Counselling and Psychotherapy Research (CPR) and the Research Department of BACP want to encourage you to submit an account of an empirical research project for the 2008 Student Research Essay Prize.  The winning entry will receive £200 worth of T&F book tokens plus £200 cash, sponsored by Taylor & Francis.

We are looking for submissions that demonstrate the following features in describing an aspect of research in an area of counselling or psychotherapy:

• Clarity of research aims and research question
• Use of methods appropriate to the research question and in a way that meets those standards and guidelines adopted by the journal
• Exploration of the relevant theoretical framework(s)
• Appropriate conclusions 
• Contribution to knowledge
• Implications for counselling and psychotherapy practice

Submissions are invited from current full-time or part-time registered students, or students who have graduated in the last 12 months.

Essay submissions should not exceed 4,000 words (excluding references).  An abstract of no more than 350 words should accompany your submission.  Several keywords that capture the key aspects of your study should be placed below the abstract.
 
Studies involving quantitative and/or qualitative research methods are equally welcomed.  Regardless of the method used, there should be empirical content.  That is, the submission should be about a study where data have been collected and the analysis of them is completed.  This is not to say that the research project needs to have been completed in its entirety. 
 
Balance between reflexivity and presentation of the empirical findings of the study is called for.  Whilst you need to adopt a reflexive position (where you reflect on yourself as the researcher in relation to your study), you need to ensure that your data are presented adequately, the analysis of them is described clearly, and their meaning is discussed.
 
The paper should be complete in and of itself.  The submission of chapters from dissertations and theses where the focus of the chapter is detached from the study as a whole is not acceptable.
 
The essay should follow the academic conventions of CPR, eg, referencing styles, publishing guidelines for qualitative research, etc.   See the CPR journal and the CPR website for details: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/14733145.asp - follow the link for “Instructions for Authors”.

The deadline for submissions has now passed and the winner will be notified in August.

BACP is committed to promoting research awareness.  As part of this commitment, BACP may publish your submission, in part or in whole in its associated publications / communication channels.  By submitting your entry you give permission for such publication, as appropriate.

BACP will not correspond with authors and submissions will be accepted as final and complete on receipt.