Building Basic Competencies in Social Work Research

This text takes a unique approach to teaching social work research methods. The text covers all of the topics mandated by the CSWE, using a skill-building and hands-on approach. The author's intention is to turn students into "active learners" who practice various aspects of social work research, from conducting a literature review to developing methodology, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions, as they go through the material. Assignments that the students can complete, tear out, and hand in are interspersed throughout the text. The author uses this technique in his own classes, with great success; students report that they are really learning how to conduct social work research, rather than passively absorbing information. Glossaries of terms at the ends of most chapters help students learn new vocabulary.

List of contents

Preface.

The Developmental Framework.

An Emphasis upon the Entire Process of Research.

An Emphasis upon the Purposes of Research.

The Principles of Adult Learning.

Organization of this Book.

1.  Introduction.

Objectives.

The Nature of Social Work Research.

The Purposes of Social Work Research.

The Process of Social Work Research.

Assignment 1-A.

An Examination of a Few Basic Principles.

Social Research Entails a Process of Discovery, Not Justification Don't Re-invent the Wheel Don't Get the Cart Before the Horse! Two Heads are Better Than One Some Things Happen Just by Chance Conclusions.

Assignment 1-B.

Applying the Basic Principles: Does the Full Moon Make People Act Different?

An Example for Class Discussion-Service Options for the Abused Wife.

Assignment 1-C.

Research Exercise on the Study of Stress Among Social Work Students.

Preliminary Task: Responding to the Survey Phase 1: Problem Formulation Phase 2: Study Methodology Phase 3: Examining the Study Results Phase 4: Conclusions.

Summary.

References.
LEVEL I:  UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH.
2.  Understanding Descriptive Research: Are the Clients of a Family Service Agency Satisfied with Their Service?

Objectives.

The Research Process and the Spirit of Scientific Inquiry.

Descriptive Research as One of The Four Major Purposes of Social Work Research The Major Phases of the Research Process as Applied to Descriptive Research.

Assignment 2-A.

Problem Formulation for Our Study.

Developing a Knowledge Base.

Assignment 2-B.

Developing the Research Methodology for Our Study.

Defining and Measuring Variables Defining the Variables for Our Study Measuring the Variables for Our Study Assignment 2-C Choosing a Sample for This Study Assignment 2-D.

Data Analysis for Our Study.

Table 2.1: Extent to Which Respondents Felt Treated with Respect by the Entire Staff Table 2.2: Extent to Which Clients Were Helped to Achieve Their Goals Table 2.3: Extent to Which Counseling Aided Clients in Maintaining Satisfactory Life Since the Counseling Ended Assignment 2-E.

Drawing Conclusions.

Assignment 2-F.

Glossary of Concepts Introduced in Chapter 2.
3.  Understanding Explanatory Research: Does Gender Explain Social Work Salaries When Position Level is Controlled?

Objectives.

The Research Process and the Nature of Scientific Inquiry.

Theory and Observation in Research The Research Process as Applied to Explanatory Research.

Problem Formulation for Our Study.

Exhibit 3.1: A Brief Literature Review on Salary Discrimination Assignment 3-A.

Methodology for Our Study.

The Research Questions Developing the Study Hypothesis Defining and Measuring Our Study Variables Identifying Our Study Population and Sample Determining How to Collect Data Exhibit 3.2: Questionnaire Given to NASW Members in One State Assignment 3-B.

Analyzing Data for Our Study.

Describing the Study Sample Examining the Study Questions Figure 3.1: Mean 1986 Salaries of NASW Members in N.C. Table 3.1: Gender and Position Level Among NASW Members in N.C. Figure 3.2: Mean Salaries by Gender and Position Assignment 3-C.

Drawing Conclusions for Our Study.

Assignment 3-D.

References.

Glossary of Concepts Introduced in Chapter 3.
4.  Understanding Evaluative Research: Is Therapy Effective in Reducing Depression?

Objectives.

An Overview of the Evaluative Research Process.

Phase 1: Problem Formulation Phase 2: Developing the Research Methodology Phase 3: Analyzing Data Phase 4: Drawing Conclusions Assignment 4-A.

Analyzing the Effectiveness of the New Hope Treatment Center in the Reduction of Depression for a Group of Clients.

Phase 1: Problem Formulation for Our Research Study Phase 2: Developing the Research Methodology for Our Study Phase 3: Analyzing Data Phase 4: Drawing Conclusions.

Glossary of Concepts Introduced in Chapter 4.
5.  Understanding Exploratory Research: An Examination of Stress Among Social Work Students.

Objectives.

An Overview of Qualitative Research Methods.

Assignment 5-A What Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches Have in Common Modes of Gathering Information in Qualitative Research The Interview in Qualitative Research The Semi-structured Interview The Phases of the Interview Process Assignment 5-B.

A Study of Stress Among Social Work Students.

Exhibit 5.1: A Literature Review on Stress Assignment 5-C Study Results and Conclusions.

Glossary of Concepts Introduced in Chapter 5.
LEVEL II:  USING SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH.
6.  Using Descriptive Research: An Examination of the Social Work Program of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Memorial Hospital.

Objectives.

Special Issues in Using Descriptive Research.

Problem Formulation in Descriptive Research Research Methodology in Descriptive Research Data Analysis in Descriptive Research Assignment 6-A.

A Descriptive Study of the Clients of the Social Work Program of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Memorial Hospital.

Problem Formulation for Our Descriptive Study Methodology for Our Descriptive Study Analyzing Data for Our Descriptive Study Drawing Conclusions for Our Descriptive Study.

Glossary of Concepts Introduced in Chapter 6.
7.  Using Explanatory Research: Is Rural and Urban Social Work Practice Different?

Objectives.

A Review of Some Issues in Explanatory Research.

Problem Formulation for Our Study of Rural and Urban Social Work Practice.

The Introduction Assignment 7-A The Literature Review Assignment 7-B.

Developing Our Study Methodology.

Defining and Measuring Our Study Variables Determining Whether to Use Qualitative Means of Measurement Assignment 7-C Determining How to Collect Data Instrumentation Assignment 7-D Assessing the Reliability and Validity of Our Measurement Devices Developing the Study Hypothesis Assignment 7-E Sampling Assignment 7-F.

Analyzing Study Results.

Sample Description Assignment 7-G Examining Empirical Relationships Do Rural and Urban Social Workers Perceive Their Communities Differently? Should Rurality Be Conceptualized as a Continuum? Is the Practice of Rural and Urban Social Workers Different?

Drawing Conclusions.

Assignment 7-J.

Glossary of Concepts Introduced in Chapter 7.
8.  Using Evaluative Research: Is the SOAR Program Effective in Rehabilitating Sexual Offenders?

An Overview of Evaluative Research Phase 1: Problem Formulation.

Exhibit 8.1: A Brief Literature Review on Sexual Crimes and the Treatment of Offenders Exhibit 8.2: The START Program for the Treatment of Sexual Offenders Assignment 8-A.

Phase 2: Developing Our Study Methodology.

Research Designs Threats to Internal Validity Group Research Designs Single-subject Designs Defining and Measuring the Dependent Variables in Our Study The Study Sample Assignment 8-C.

Phase 3: Analyzing Data for Our Study.

Figure 8.1: Scores for Justification and Distortion Figure 8.2: Scores for Motivation and for Empathy Assignment 8-D.

Phase 4: Drawing Conclusions for Our Study.

Assignment 8-E.

Using the Single-subject Research Design.

Analyzing the Baseline Trend That is Level Analyzing Data When the Trend is Going Up or Down Trends That are Not Suitable for Statistical Analysis Assignment 8-F Data on Hypothetical Clients Assignment 8-G.

Glossary of Concepts Introduced in Chapter 8.
9.  Using Exploratory Research: Examining the Experience of Adoption as an Older Child.

Objectives.

Qualitative Research Methods.

Description Theory Development Deductive and Inductive Processes of Inquiry The Role of the Observer Assignment 9-A.

A Study of the Experience of Being Adopted.

Problem Formulation Study Methodology Study Results.

Glossary of Concepts Introduced in Chapter 9.
10.  The Critical Review of Research Articles.

Problem Formulation.

Study Methodology.

Data Analysis.

Conclusions.

Assignment 10-A.

Assignment 10-B.

Assignment 10-C.
LEVEL III:  CONDUCTING SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH.
11.  Conducting Research That Illustrates the Nature of Science: Is the Theory of Numerology Valid?

Ethics in Social Work Research.

A Special Note to Students as Study Participant Regarding Ethics of Their Inclusion in the Present Study.

Exhibit 11.1: Choosing Your Self Descriptions.

A Review of a Few Basic Principles of Scientific Research.

The Research Process for Our Study.

Problem Formulation Exhibit 11.2: A Brief Literature Review on the Theory of Numerology Assignment 11-A Study Methodology Assignment 11-B Determining Your Soul Urge from the Theory of Numerology Data Analysis Conclusions.

A Test of Numerology, Part II.

Step 1: Obtaining Rankings of Your Behavior by Persons Who Know You Well Exhibit 11.4: Rankings of Statements by Person Number 1 Exhibit 11.5: Rankings of Statements by Person Number 2 Step 2: Statistical Analysis of Congruence Among the Rankings Assignment 11-E.
Glossary.
Appendix A: Developing the Literature Review for a Research Study.
Appendix B: Using Standardized Instruments for Measuring Study Variables.
Appendix C: Writing the Research Hypothesis.

Summary

This text takes a unique approach to teaching social work research methods. The text covers all of the topics mandated by the CSWE, using a skill-building and hands-on approach. The author's intention is to turn students into “active learners” who practice various aspects of social work research, from conducting a literature review to developing methodology, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions, as they go through the material. Assignments that the students can complete, tear out, and hand in are interspersed throughout the text. The author uses this technique in his own classes, with great success; students report that they are really learning how to conduct social work research, rather than passively absorbing information. Glossaries of terms at the ends of most chapters help students learn new vocabulary.

Product details

• Authors: Reginald O. York
• Publisher: Pearson Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.1999
• EAN: 9780205193578
• ISBN: 978-0-205-19357-8
• No. of pages: 374
• Weight: 1120 g
• Series: Allyn & Bacon; Allyn & Bacon
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Education > Social education, social work; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology