Did you know that life coaching has been scientifically tested and proven to be effective?

The first empirical investigation of life coaching was performed by Dr Anthony Grant, Dr Suzy Green and Dr L.G. Oades in 2003 and the study utilised a cognitive behavioural, solution-focused model of coaching and provided preliminary evidence that evidence-based life coaching can enhance mental health, quality of life and goal attainment.

The research was followed up by the July 2006 published research paper called, Cognitive behavioural, solution-focused life coaching: Enhancing goal striving, well-being and hope."

Since then there have been hundreds of various types of research conducted in coaching, numerous papers published and lots of new coaching-specific scientific journals launched in the market.

Here are some links you may find useful to keep on top of what the research of coaching is discovering. Note: These are peer review journals, not private company non-peer-reviewed publications.

• Institute of Coaching (part of McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School) - http://www.instituteofcoaching.org/
• Academy of Management Review - http://www.aom.pace.edu/amr/index.html
• The Annual Review of High Performance - http://www.multi-science.co.uk/arhpcc.htm#
• Consulting Psychology Journal: Research and Practice - http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/cpb/index.aspx
• Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice - http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/rcoaauth.asp
• The Journal of Coaching Education - http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/publications/journals/jce/
• The Coaching Psychologist - http://www.sgcp.org.uk/sgcp/publications/the-coaching-psychologist/the-coaching-psychologist_home.cfm
• Human Resource Development Quarterly - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291532-1096
• International Coaching Psychology Review - http://www.sgcp.org.uk/sgcp/publications/international-coaching-psychology-review/international-coaching-psychology-review_home.cfm
• International Journal of Coaching in Organizations - http://www.ijco.info/
• International Journal of Evidence-Based Coaching and Mentoring - http://www.business.brookes.ac.uk/research/areas/coachingandmentoring/?err404=research/areas/coaching&mentoring
• International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching - http://www.emccouncil.org/eu/public/international_journal_of_mentoring_and_coaching/volume_vii_issue_1_extract/index.html
• Journal of Change Management - http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/14697017.asp
• Journal of Educational Research - http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/00220671.asp
• Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology - http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/journals/journaltitles/joop.cfm
• Journal of Organizational Change Management - http://www.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?PHPSESSID=6kfnm9cqtnvkupgbhia5rflm03&id=jocm
• International Journal of Training and Development - http://www.wiley.com/bw/journal.asp?ref=1360-3736
• Training and Management Development Methods - http://www.emeraldinsight.com/products/journals/journals.htm?id=tmdm

We certainly aren't starved for choice!

You may need to look carefully to find research that applies to the type of coaching you do (personal, organisational, etc) and I'm confident you'll be able to find numerous references which could prove valuable to you and in how you serve your clients.

The next issue of "Coach the Coach" will look at the coaching model of the Personal Balanced Scorecard.

If there are any topics you'd like me to cover in this column, please feel invited to email me directly with your requests through my website (see link in bio).

Noel Posus is a master coach with 20+ years experience as a professional educator, coach and author. He won the prestigious inaugural "Coach of the Year" award (2008/2009), Finalist in the Coaching Business of the Year (2010) and is an ambassador/leader for the coaching industry. www.noelposus.com