I. Roseman, M. Spindel, and P. Jose (1990) had previously demonstrated that specific appraisals of events led to discrete emotional responses, but this model has not been widely tested by other research teams using alternative research methods. The present study utilized four qualitative research methods, taught by Patti Lather at the 1994 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Professional Development Winter Institute, to examine data obtained from 35 Master's level counseling students about their emotions and cognitive appraisals during stressful events. The results of this study verified that individuals process stressful events much as Roseman et al. (1990) predicted, but that each of the four research paradigms disclosed different aspects of the data. (Contains 26 references.) (Author/SLD)