Jessica Lewis

Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2011

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Communication Studies and Theatre

Abstract

This exploratory study seeks to prompt discussion and further inquiry of the informed consent process, highlight student services in distance education, and clarify institutions' philosophy toward the nature of career services. The researcher used content analysis, grammatical textual analysis, and thematic analysis of 23 informed consent documents (ICDs) for online career counseling (n=23). The study stemmed from eight codes developed from the NCDA's (1997) eight statements in the "Clarity of Contract" provision. This provision is one of the multiple guidelines in the NCDA's Guidelines/or the Use of the Internet for Provision of Career Information and Planning Services. Additionally, the researcher reviewed readability, privacy and confidentiality language, the presentation of consent, the relationship between service categorization and consent, and the relationship between service categorization and compliance with the NCDA provisions. The researcher conducted the analysis by looking at the measures of central tendency from the coders' responses, as well as the relationships between categories using Chi-squared, and Pearson's R correlation tests. Data analysis was conducted using Microsoft Word®, Microsoft Excel®, SPSS®, or PASW ® (Predictive Analytics SoftWare), and by long hand with a calculator. An initial review of the data indicates that the mean average of the 23 schools represented in the sample was 43% compliance, providing information for approximately 3.5 of the eight categories. A readability test found the mean grade level was 12.1. Finally, a Pearson's r correlation tests did not find a significant relationship between service categorization and consent nor did the test find a relationship between service categorization and compliance with the NCDA provisions. The data indicates substantial opportunity to enhance the quality of online career counseling ICDs by closer adherence to the NCDA's (1997) guidelines for clarity of contract with the client.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

College students -- Vocational guidance

Consent (Law)

Counseling -- Moral and ethical aspects

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

265

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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