Briefly compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative research methods. Explain why both can be useful in social work research
2. Identify four errors in everyday reasoning. Give one example of each.
3. In which circumstances are descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, and evaluation research appropriate? Give one example for each.
4. Define sample generalizability and cross-population generalizability. Give one example of each. Discuss how these terms differ from one another.
5. What is the main difference between program evaluation and evaluation research? (pg 11)
6. Describe measurement bias. How might a research working in an environment that is culturally different from their own, seek to avoid measurement bias? (pg 16)
7. Consider the research conducted on homelessness, as described in Chapter 1. What is the potential impact of these research findings on social policies? How do these findings potentially shape program development? Based on these findings, describe an effective intervention to ameliorate this social problem.
8. Briefly describe the examples given in Chapter 1 that demonstrate the four types of social research. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each. Propose four research studies about teen pregnancy using each of the four research categories. What are the strengths and limitations of each approach?
9. Which of the errors in scientific reasoning are the most difficult for social science to overcome? Review each of the four and evaluate the relative difficulties they create. Answer in terms of a specific research area, such as understanding homelessness, crime, or child abuse.
10. Write a brief explanation of the concept of causal validity and generalizability. To illustrate your explanations, describe what they would refer to in a hypothetical study of drug abuse in rural America..
11. Using the examples on homelessness found in Chapter 1, define and describe the difference between quantitative and qualitative methods in social work research. How did the researchers' choice of qualitative or quantitative methods strengthen their conclusions? Weaken them? Propose another study of people who are homeless, in which you build on one of the previous studies. Which method did you choose and why?
12. You are working for a community development organization in a city with high rates of unemployment, poverty, high school attrition, and juvenile delinquency. Your organization wants to begin an afternoon computer training program for young people. Explain how descriptive, exploratory, explanatory, and evaluation research can all be used to help start and later maintain this program.
13. Explain how diversity impacts social work research. Discuss why researchers must demonstrate an understanding of and sensitivity to the experience of diverse groups with research. How would you as a researcher engage participants of a diverse group?
14. Describe the methods/approaches social science researchers use in order to reduce the risk of making everyday errors in reasoning? (pg 6)
15. Given what you now know of the differences between quantitative and qualitative research, which method would best suit an exploratory study versus a descriptive study? Explain your reasoning. (pg 10)
16. In your own words, describe evidence-based practice (EBP) and how it relates to clinical decision-making. Imagine you have been working at a social service agency for 15 years and in the last five years your company's funding have been regularly cut. Explain the challenges you and your organization would face in trying to implement EBP into an everyday practice. (pg 6-8)
True or False
17. Selective observation occurs when people conclude that what is true for some cases is true for all cases.
a. True
*b. False
18. Illogical reasoning occurs when researchers prematurely jump to conclusions on the basis of invalid assumptions.
*a. True
b. False
19. Excessive devotion to tradition and uncritical agreement with authority are both examples of ego-based commitments.
a. True
*b. False
20. Social science is defined as the use of scientific methods to investigate individuals, societies, and social processes.
*a. True
b. False
21. True social science cannot be motivated by personal reasons.
a. True
*b. False
22. Exploratory research identifies the causes and effects of social phenomena.
a. True
*b. False
23. Quantitative methods collect data that are either numbers or that can be ordered in terms of magnitude.
*a. True
b. False
24. Evaluation research involves searching for practical knowledge for social work
policy.
*a. True
b. False
25. Explanation is the most frequent motivation for using qualitative methods.
a. True
*b. False
26. When the findings of a study accurately represent empirical reality, the results are said to be valid.
*a. True
b. False
27. Cross-population generalizability refers exists when a conclusion based on a sample of a larger population holds true for that population.
a. True
*b. False
28. The more an individual begins to think like a potential social work researcher, the more questions will come to mind
*a. True
b. False
29. Everyday errors in reasoning occur frequently in nonscientific and unreflective conversations.
*a. True
b. False
30. External validity and causal validity are known as the same thing.
a. True
*b. False
31. The Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a six-step decision making process and is designed to create reliable professional claims.
a. True
*b. False
32. Errors in Everyday Reasoning: match a concept to a definition or example
[b] 1. Overgeneralization
[d] 2. Selective observation
[c] 3. Illogical reasoning
[a] 4. Resistance to change
a. Reluctance to change ideas even in light of new information
b. Unjustifiably concluding that what is true for some cases is true for all cases
c. Prematurely jumping to conclusions or arguing on the basis of invalid assumptions
d. Noting observations that coincide with pre-existing preferences or beliefs
33. Examples of Types of Social Work Research: match a concept to a definition or example.
[c] 1. Description
[b] 2. Evaluation
[d] 3. Explanation
[a] 4. Exploration
a. How do homeless women adapt to their situation?
b. Graduates of the Klickenmore Group Home Project maintained their own apartments for an average of 2.7 years, compared to non-graduates who maintained their own apartments for 0.4 years
c. How many people are homeless in Atlanta, Georgia?
d. Increased substance abuse tends to increase the risk of becoming homeless.
34. Validity: match a concept to a definition or example. NOTE: Answers may be used more than once.
Concepts:
Causal validity
Cross population generalizability
External validity
Internal validity
Measurement validity
Sample generalizability
Choices:
When a measure measures what we think it measures
When findings about one group, population, or setting holds true for other groups, populations, or settings
When a conclusion that A leads to or results in B is correct
When a conclusion based on a subset of a larger population holds true for the entire population.
Correct Answer:
Causal validity=When a conclusion that A leads to or results in B is correct
Cross population generalizability=When findings about one group, population, or setting holds true for other groups, populations, or settings
External validity=When findings about one group, population, or setting holds true for other groups, populations, or settings
Internal validity=When a conclusion that A leads to or results in B is correct
Measurement validity=When a measure measures what we think it measures
Sample generalizability=When a conclusion based on a subset of a larger population holds true for the entire population
35. The everyday error that involves choosing to look at things that are in line with our own preferences or beliefs is called:
a. Overgeneralization
*b. Selective observation
c. Inaccurate observation
d. Illogical reasoning
e. Resistance to change
36. The everyday error that involves the reluctance to reevaluate ideas in light of new information comes from all of the following sources EXCEPT:
a. Excessive devotion to tradition
b. Ego-based commitments
c. Inability to admit earlier conclusions were made in error
*d. Thinking we have seen something that is not true
e. Uncritical agreement with authority
37. Social work research may be used for all of the following EXCEPT:
a. To assist in making policy decisions
b. To test interventions
c. To address accountability concerns
d. To assist in planning programs
*e. All of the above are legitimate motives for social research
38. Social science reduces the likelihood of overgeneralization by:
*a. Using systematic procedures for selecting individuals to study that are representative for the groups to which we hope to generalize
b. Using explicit criteria for establishing causality
c. Requiring systematic measurement and sampling
d. Using empirical evidence
e. Answering questions from an ego-based commitment
39. Descriptive research:
*a. Defines and illustrates social phenomena
b. Investigates social phenomena without expectations
c. Identifies causes and effects of social phenomena
d. Determines effect of a social program
e. Produces valid but unreliable data
40. As average income of a neighborhood increased, violent crime rate decreased. This information is an example of which kind of social research?
a. Descriptive
b. Exploratory
*c. Explanatory
d. Evaluation
e. Qualitative
41. Researcher X has proposed a project in which she will interview several immigrants from other countries to find out why they chose to move to the United States. This study is an example of which kind of social research?
a. Descriptive
*b. Exploratory
c. Explanatory
d. Evaluation
e. Quantitative
42. The results of a recent survey found that only 23% of social workers use the internet to provide services, compared to 48% of professional counselors. This study is an example of which kind of social research?
*a. Descriptive
b. Exploratory
c. Explanatory
d. Evaluation
e. Idiographic
43. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) has resulted in a 50% decrease in the number of families receiving assistance and a 50% increase in the number of working mothers. This information suggests which kind of social research?
a. Descriptive
b. Exploratory
c. Explanatory
*d. Evaluation
e. Counter-Factual
44. In a field experiment to observe altruistic behavior, an observer records the number of people who stopped to hold the door for a student on crutches. She reports that seven people volunteered to assist the young man, when in fact there were only five. She has made an error called:
a. Overgeneralization
b. Selective observation
c. Illogical reasoning
d. Resistance to change
*e. Inaccurate observation
45. Which of the following is an example of descriptive research about the homeless?
a. A study aimed at determining the effects of tax breaks on rent costs
b. A study focused on the meanings homeless people assign to their conditions
*c. A study based on the questions who are the homeless and how do they live
d. A study based on the hypothesis that the homeless are more likely to have drug problems
e. A study focused on the effects of social networks and homelessness
46. Findings from a recent study indicated that education was an important predictor of financial status. What is the purpose of this research?
a. Descriptive
b. Exploratory
*c. Explanatory
d. Evaluation
e. Selective
47. Both explanatory and evaluation research studies are concerned with the causes and effects of social phenomena. The difference between them is that evaluation research focuses on the:
*a. Effect of particular policies or programs
b. Meanings that people give their actions
c. Description of the social phenomena of interest
d. Consideration of the impact of social context
e. How people get along in the setting under study
48. Qualitative methods are most often used for which type of research:
a. Descriptive
*b. Exploratory
c. Explanatory
d. Evaluation
e. Generalizable
49. Which of the following does NOT apply to the quantitative methods?
a. Surveys and experiments are common methods of quantitative data collection.
b. Quantitative data collection records variation in social life in terms of categories that vary in amount.
c. Data can be in the form of numbers.
d. Data can be in the form of attributes ordered in terms of magnitude.
*e. Data is not collected in categories predetermined by the researcher.
50. Using experimental design methods to study a research question enhances:
a. Authenticity
b. Empiricism
c. Generalizability
d. External Validity
*e. Causal Validity
51. Measurement validity is achieved when a measure:
a. Cannot be "psyched out" by the respondent
b. Corresponds to an accepted dictionary definition
c. Yields the same score when applied to the same phenomena
d. Relies on sophisticated instruments
*e. Measures what the researcher intends to measure
52. In the presence of their parents, children are asked if they have ever lied to their teachers. Over 90 percent of the children responded that they had never lied to their parents. The researchers thus conclude that children are usually honest with their teachers. This raises a question about:
a. Cross-population generalizability
*b. Measurement validity
c. Sample generalizability
d. Internal validity
e. Causal validity
53. A social work researcher measures job stress and burnout in a sample of child welfare workers in one county agency. They find that most of the workers have high levels of job stress but do not suffer from burnout. They present their findings to a group of child welfare agency directors from nationally. Many directors whose county office was not the focus of the study assert that the findings would not hold in their agencies. This assertion is a challenge the ______________ of the findings
*a. Cross-population generalizability
b. Measurement validity
c. Sample generalizability
d. Internal validity
e. Causal validity
54. A study of the effects of television violence on children was conducted at a local elementary school. Children were randomly selected from the fourth grade and shown a ten-minute cartoon with violent content. The children were then sent to the playground with other children. Children who were shown the cartoon displayed more aggression in their play than the children who did not see the cartoon. These findings supported the researchers' hypothesis that viewing television violence causes aggressive behavior. The selection of subjects for this study makes it likely that the researcher's conclusion about the hypothesis has:
a. Cross-population generalizability
b. Measurement validity
*c. Sample generalizability
d. Internal validity
e. Causal validity
55. When the sample of participants is reflective of the characteristics of the population, it is said to be:
a. Authentic
b. Empirical
*c. Generalizable
d. Reliable
e. Valid
56. When determining how accurate research is in capturing social reality, social scientists refer to dimensions of:
a. Causality
b. Reliability
*c. Validity
d. Evaluation
e. Objectivity
57. The executive director of a community center requests an assessment of how youth in the neighborhood spend their leisure time, including what after school activities they attend and what type of sports activities they prefer. She has asked for which type of research to be conducted :
*a. Descriptive
b. Explanatory
c. Evaluation
d. Qualitative
e. Authentic
58. The social worker at the local mental health center noticed that clients whose workers were female were more compliant with their medications than those whose workers were male. He concluded that female workers are more nurturing and therefore, their clients are more likely to comply with treatment. This error in reasoning is:
a. Selective observation
*b. Overgeneralization
c. Inaccurate observation
d. Illogical reasoning
e. Resistance to change
59. Evaluation researchers ask questions about:
a. The implementation of social policies
b. The impact of social service programs
c. The effects of social policies
*d. All of the above
e. None of the above
60. Social work researchers must recognize the following about the impacts of cultural norms:
a. It alters participants willingness to participate
b. Defines the meanings ascribed to terms and concepts
c. Effects the way data is collected
d. Guides the interpretation of findings
*e. All of the above
