From the outset, the ultimate goal of Research Methods for Social Workers was to serve as a research text that students would be able to understand and read in full. Incorporating feedback from students and faculty who have utilized the first two editions, this Third Edition features even more important additions and changes to the original text (while maintaining its trademark accessible style). The order of the chapters is re-arranged to improve the flow of introducing and developing the concepts of the research process, and the authors have included some much-needed information to meet the changing and evolving standards of social work education. At its core, this book is designed to bring complex concepts down to a level that can be grasped by someone with little to no knowledge of research methods — it is an invaluable resource for social work students and anyone who wishes to have a comprehensive introduction to research methods.
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1: What Is Research?
Importance of Social Work Research
Defining Research
Ways of Knowing
Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed-Methods Research
Developing Your Research Questions
What Is a Hypothesis?
Research Designs
Strengths and Limitations of Research
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
2: Ethical Considerations
Historical Overview
Respect for Individuals
Beneficence
Justice
Other Ethical Considerations
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
3: Qualitative Research Designs
How Is Qualitative Research Used?
Descriptive Inquiry
Speculative Inquiry
Qualitative Research Methods
Data Collection
An Example of a Qualitative Study
Case Scenarios
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
4: Literature Review
What Is a Literature Review?
Step 1: Conducting Your Search for Research Articles
Step 2: Choosing Your Articles
Step 3: Reviewing Your Articles
Step 4: Organizing Your Search Results
Step 5: Developing a Problem Statement or Hypothesis
Step 6: Compiling Your Reference Page
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
5: Quantitative Research Designs
Getting Started
Developing a Testable Hypothesis
What Is Descriptive Research?
Correlation Versus Causation
Data Collection
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Designs
Group Research Designs
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
6: Variables and Measures
Variables in Research Design
Viewing and Using Variables
Types of Variables
What Is a Measure?
Defining and Operationalizing Measures
Levels of Measurement
Reliability and Validity in Measurement
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
7: Sampling
What Is Sampling?
Random Selection and Random Assignment
Sample Size: How Many Is Enough?
External and Internal Validity
Probability Sampling
Probability Sampling Techniques
Sampling Error
Nonprobability Sampling
Limitations of Nonprobability Sampling
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
8: Survey Research
Defining Survey Research
Appropriate Survey Topics
Developing a Survey
Administering Surveys and Expected Rates of Return
Advantages and Disadvantages of Survey Research
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
9: Evaluative Research Design
Program Evaluation
Process Evaluation
Outcome Evaluation
Strengths and Weaknesses of Program Evaluation
Practical Considerations and Common Problems
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exams
10: Single-Subject Designs
What Is a Single-Subject Design?
Elements of Single-Subject Design Research
Types of Single-Subject Designs
Strengths and Limitations of Single-Subject Designs
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
11: Introduction to Descriptive Statistics
What Is Data Analysis?
The First Step of Data Analysis
Descriptive Analysis
Strengths and Limitations of Descriptive Statistics
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
12: Introduction to Inferential Statistics
What Are Inferential Statistics?
Four Types of Correlation
Determining the Strength of the Correlation
Probability Values and Confidence Intervals
Parametric Statistics
Nonparametric Statistics
Strengths and Limitations of Inferential Statistics
Which Statistical Program Is Right for Me?
Case Scenario
Critical Thinking Questions
Key Points
Practice Exam
13: Practicing Your Research Skills
Example of a Research Proposal
Example of a Research Report
Answers to Practice Exams
Glossary
References
Index
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