Applied Social Research: A Tool for the Human Services

Cover
Title
	Copyright
	Contents
	Preface
		Features
	Share: Applied Social Research: A Tool for the Human Services
Applied Social Research
	Chapter 1: Research in the Human Services
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Human Services Research
		Goals of Research
		Applications of Research
		Evidence-Based Practice
		Diversity and Research: The Impact of Diversity and Difference on Research
		Parallels and Linkages Between Research and Practice
		Steps in Conducting Research
		Steps in Practice Intervention
		The Plan of the Book
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
		Competency 2: Engage Difference and Diversity in Practice
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-informed Practice
		Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Communities, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 2: The Logic of Social Research
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Sources of Knowledge
		Tradition
		Experience
		Common Sense
		Journalism
		Scientific Method
		Scientific Practice
		Theories in Research and Practice
		What is a Theory?
		The Functions of Theories
		Concepts and Hypotheses
		Defining Concepts
		Developing Hypotheses
		Concepts and Operational Definitions Among Minority Populations
		Perspectives on Science
		Deduction Versus Induction
		Types of Explanations
		Paradigms in Science
		Cause-and-Effect Relationships
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 2: Engaging Diversity and Difference in Practice
		Competency 4: Engaging in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
		Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 3: Ethical Issues in Social Research
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		The Minority Experience: The Need for Ethical Standards
		Ethical Issues
		Informed Consent
		Deception
		The Right to Privacy: Anonymity and Confidentiality
		Harm, Distress, and Benefit
		Sponsored Research
		Scientific Misconduct and Fraud
		Scientific Advocacy
		Protecting Vulnerable Clients
		Withholding Treatment for Research Purposes
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Codes of Ethics
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
		Competency 2: Engage Difference and Diversity
		Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social and Economic Justice
		Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 4: Problem Formulation: Developing a Well-Built Answerable Question
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Selecting a Research Problem
		Personal Interest
		Social Problems
		Testing Theory
		Prior Research
		Program Evaluation and Policy Implementation
		Human Service Practice
		Minorities in Research: The Political Context of Problem Selection
		Shaping and Refining the Problem
		Conceptual Development
		Question Development
		Review of the Literature
		Units of Analysis
		Reactivity
		Qualitative Versus Quantitative Research
		Cross-Sectional Versus Longitudinal Research
		Feasibility of a Research Project
		Time Constraints
		Financial Considerations
		Anticipating and Avoiding Problems
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 2: Engaging Diversity and Difference in Practice
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
		Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 5: The Process of Measurement
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Ways of Measuring
		From Concepts to Indicators
		Techniques of Measuring
		Positivist and Nonpositivist Views of Measurement
		Levels of Measurement
		Nominal Measures
		Ordinal Measures
		Interval Measures
		Ratio Measures
		Discrete Versus Continuous Variables
		Evaluating Measures
		Validity
		Reliability
		Measurement with Diverse Populations
		Errors in Measurement
		Random Errors
		Systematic Errors
		Improving Validity and Reliability
		Choosing a Measurement Device
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical
and Professional Behavior
		Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
		Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
		Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
		Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 6: Sampling
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		The Purpose of Sampling
		Sampling Terminology
		Populations and Samples
		Sampling Frames
		Learning from Experience: Poor Sampling Frames
		Probability Samples
		Simple Random Sampling
		Systematic Sampling
		Stratified Sampling
		Area Sampling
		Estimating Sample Size
		Nonprobability Samples
		Availability Sampling
		Snowball Sampling
		Quota Sampling
		Purposive Sampling
		Dimensional Sampling
		Sampling with Diverse Populations
		A Note on Sampling in Practice
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
		Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 7: Survey Research
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Designing Questions
		Closed-Ended Versus Open-Ended Questions
		Wording of Questions
		Questionnaires
		Structure and Design
		Response Rate
		Checking for Bias Due to Nonresponse
		An Assessment of Questionnaires
		Interviews
		The Structure of Interviews
		Contacting Respondents
		Conducting an Interview
		Diversity and the Interview Relationship
		An Assessment of Interviews
		Telephone Surveys
		Online Surveys
		Focus Groups
		Practice and Research Interviews Compared
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
		Competency 2: Engage Difference and Diversity in Practice
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
		Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Communities, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 8: Analysis of Available Data
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Statistical Data
		Sources of Statistical Data
		Using Statistical Data
		Content Analysis
		Coding Schemes
		Units of Analysis
		Manifest Versus Latent Coding
		Issues in Content Analysis
		Validity
		Reliability
		Level of Measurement
		Sampling
		Assessment of Available Data Analysis
		Advantages
		Disadvantages
		Using Available Data in Research on Minorities
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice, and Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
		Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 9: Field Research and Qualitative Methods
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Characteristics of Qualitative Methods
		Contextual Approach
		Grounded Theory Methodology
		Field Research
		Participant Observation
		Unobtrusive Observation
		Steps in Field Research
		Problem Formulation
		Selecting a Field Setting
		Entering the Field
		Developing Rapport in the Field
		Becoming Invisible
		Attitude of the Researcher
		Observing and Recording in the Field
		Exiting the Field
		Recording Observations in Field Research
		Qualitative Observation: Field Notes
		Quantitative Observation: Coding Sheets
		Other Qualitative Methods
		In-Depth Interviewing
		Case Studies, Life Histories, and Narratives
		Focus Groups
		Issues in Observational and Field Research
		Sampling
		Validity and Reliability
		Reactivity
		Assessment of Field Techniques and Qualitative Methods
		Advantages
		Disadvantages
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
		Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 10: Experimental Research
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		The Logic of Experimentation
		Causation and Control
		Matching and Randomization
		Internal Validity
		Experimental Designs
		Preexperimental Designs
		True Experimental Designs
		Quasi-Experimental Designs
		Modes of Data Collection in Experiments
		External Validity
		Reactive Effects of Testing
		Unrepresentative Samples
		Reactive Settings
		Multiple-Treatment Interference
		Enhancing the External Validity of Experiments
		Lack of Minority Participation and Analysis
		Assessment of Experiments
		Advantages
		Disadvantages
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-InformedResearch and Research-Informed Practice
		Competency 9: Evaluated Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chaper 11: Single-System Designs
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		The Clinical Research Model
		The Clinical Research Process
		Identify Problems
		Establish Goals
		Select a Single-System Design
		Establish and Measure the Baseline
		Introduce Treatment
		Assess Treatment Effects
		Types of Single-System Designs
		Single-Treatment Designs
		Specialized Designs
		Generalizability of Single-System Designs
		Assessment of the Clinical Research Model
		Advantages
		Disadvantages
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 2: Engaging Diversity and Difference in Practice
		Competency 9: Evaluated Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 12: Evaluation Research
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		What is Evaluation Research?
		Why Evaluate?
		Evaluation Research and Basic Research
		The Politics of Evaluation Research
		Types of Evaluation Research
		Formative Evaluation Research
		Summative Evaluation Research
		Evaluability Assessment and the Logic Model
		Specification of Variables
		Measuring Variables
		Designs for Evaluation Research
		Nonpositivist Approaches to Evaluation
		Cost–Benefit Analysis
		Cost-Effective Analysis
		Improving Utilization of Evaluation Research
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-InformedResearch and Research-Informed Practice
		Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
		Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 13: Scaling
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Advantages of Scaling
		Improved Validity
		Improved Reliability
		Increased Level of Measurement
		Increased Efficiency in Data Handling
		Developing Scales
		Sources of Scale Items
		Characteristics of Scale Items
		Scaling Formats
		Likert Scales
		Thurstone Scales
		Semantic Differential Scales
		Guttman Scales
		Multidimensional Scales
		Avoiding Response Bias
		Sources of Response Bias
		Reducing Response Bias
		Scaling in the Human Services
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
		Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 14: Data Analysis I: Data Preparation and Presentation
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Preparation for Data Analysis
		Coding Schemes
		Preparing and Using a Codebook
		Data Entry
		Raw Data Entry
		Data Cleaning
		Creating New Variables
		Data Distributions
		Types of Data Distributions
		Constructing Frequency Distributions
		Graphical Display of Data Distributions
		Bar Graphs
		Histograms and Frequency Polygons
		Pie Charts
		Contingency Tables
		Bivariate Relationships
		Multivariate Analysis
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 9: Evaluate Practice With Individuals,Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 15: Data Analysis II: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Considerations in Choosing Statistics
		Level of Measurement
		Goals of the Data Analysis
		Number of Variables
		Properties of the Data
		Audience
		Descriptive Statistics
		Measures of Central Tendency
		Measures of Dispersion
		Measures of Association
		The Normal Distribution
		Inferential Statistics
		Probability Theory
		Sampling Distributions
		Statistical Hypothesis Testing
		Statistical Procedures
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 16: Analysis of Qualitative Data
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		Goals of Qualitative Data Analysis
		Data Reduction and Analysis
		Codes and Coding
		Reflective Remarks and Memos
		Contextualizing Strategies
		Displaying Data
		Narrative Text
		Visual Displays
		Conclusions and Verification
		Using Computers in Qualitative Research
		Coding and Retrieving Data
		Data Analysis and Hypothesis Testing
		Conceptualization and Theory Building
		Review and Criticalthinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 1: Demonstrate Professional and Ethical Behavior
		Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
		Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Chapter 17: Writing for Research: Grant Proposals and Report Writing
		Chapter Outline
		Introduction
		The Grant-Funding Process
		Federal Government Funding Sources
		State Government Grants
		Private Funding Sources
		Learning About Funding Opportunities
		Grant Proposal Planning
		Proposal Development as a Process
		Identifying the Topic
		Needs Assessment
		Specifying the Organization’s Mission
		Developing a Program
		Targeting a Funding Source
		Contacting and Visiting Funding Sources
		Writing the Grant Proposal
		Appearance and Writing Style
		Components of the Proposal
		Submitting the Proposal
		Writing a Research Report
		Consideration of the Audience
		Organization of the Report
		The Process of Writing
		Review and Critical Thinking
		Main Points
		Important Terms for Review
		Critical Thinking
		Evaluating Competency (from the Council on Social Work Education [CSWE] 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards [EPAS])
		Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
		Competency 3: Advance Human Rights, and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
		Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
		Self-Assessment
		Answer Key for Self-Assessment Quiz
		For Further Reading
		References
	Index