The genuine scientist-practitioner in vocational psychology: an autoethnography

McIlveen, Peter (2007) The genuine scientist-practitioner in vocational psychology: an autoethnography. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 4 (4). pp. 295-311. ISSN 1478-0887

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Abstract

This paper explores the notion of the scientist-practitioner in vocational psychology. It is suggested that despite the visage of science and technology, the actual practice of vocational psychology and career counselling is a very personal endeavour. The paper uses autoethnography to elucidate the construction of the career assessment and counselling procedure My Career Chapter. It is argued that the genuine creator of the procedure was not the chimerical scientist-practitioner; rather it was a sensitive rural, working-class boy who had transcended strictures of economic class and culture. His transformation inherently effected his doing the science and practice of vocational psychology. The paper suggests that the lamented divide between theory and practice in vocational psychology may be reduced through autoethnographic inquiry, which proffers a personal bridge between the two without diminishing commitment to orthodox forms of psychological science.

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Item Type:	Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	(c) Peter McIlveen, 2008. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of the Copyright Holder for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Qualitative Research in Psychology, Volume 4 Issue 4, October 2007. doi:10.1080/14780880701522403 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14780880701522403)
Faculty / Department / School:	Current - USQ Other
Date Deposited:	29 Jan 2008 02:49
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2013 22:57
Uncontrolled Keywords:	autoethnography, scientist-practitioner, career development, career counselling, social-class, My Career Chapter
Fields of Research :	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170103 Educational Psychology 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170199 Psychology not elsewhere classified
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/3793

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