Description
Research Methods for Social Workers 8th Edition by Bonnie Yegidis, ISBN-13: 978-0134512563
[PDF eBook eTextbook] – Available Instantly
- Publisher : Pearson; 8th edition (March 22, 2017)
- Language : English
- 360 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0134512561
- ISBN-13 : 978-0134512563
For courses in Research Methods in Social Work.
Helps current and future social work professionals become evidence-based practitioners.
Research Methods for Social Workers, Eighth Edition is written in a crisp, straightforward style and refers to contemporary social work practice on virtually every page. Examples are real and reflect situations that social workers encounter every day. The authors present research as a logical, non-intimidating activity that is inextricably linked to social work practice. The text contains no unnecessary research terminology or references to obscure understanding, and necessary terminology is italicized and explained. Even students with no prior research background will find it interesting and easy to understand.
All content is consistent with both current Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation standards and curriculum policy guidelines. This revision is now a part of Pearson Education’s Connecting Core Competencies series–comprised of foundation-level texts that foster student success in learning the core competencies as stated in 2015 by the Council on Social Work Education.
Table of Contents:
Contents
Research Methods for Social Workers
Brief Contents
Contents
1 Toward Evidence-Based Practice
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
Historical Antecedents
Evidence-Based Practice
Research and Practice: More Similar than Different
Sources of Knowledge
Alternative Knowledge Sources
Logic
Tradition
Authority
Faulty Knowledge Can Promote Stereotypes
Welfare Recipients
People Who Are Homeless
The Scientific Alternative
Categorizations of Research
Types of Knowledge Derived from Scientific Research
Descriptive Knowledge
Predictive Knowledge
Prescriptive Knowledge
Basic and Applied Research
Basic Research
Applied Research
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Quantitative Research
Qualitative Research
The Quantitative versus Qualitative Debate
The Current Climate for Social Work Research
Summary
2 Ethical Issues in Research
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
What Are Ethics?
Examples of Research Participant Abuse
The Nazi and Japanese Medical Experiments
The Tuskegee Public Health Studies
The Milgram Studies of Obedience to Authority
The Stanford Prison Experiment
The Laud Humphreys Studies of Homosexual Behavior
The Willowbrook Hepatitis Study
Today’s Standards for Protection of Research Participants
Institutional Review Boards
Voluntary Informed Consent
No Unnecessary Pain and Suffering
Anonymity/Confidentiality
Need to Conduct the Research
Contemporary Issues Related to Research “Volunteers”
Are Research Volunteers Truly Voluntary?
Dual-Role Relationships
Using Deception in Research
Withholding Treatment and Use of Placebos
Availability of Experimental Interventions
Other Ethical Obligations of Researchers
Summary
3 Developing Research Problems and Research Questions
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
Why We Begin with Research Problems
Identifying Potential Research Problems
Setting Problem Priorities
Identifying and Specifying the Research Problem
Developing Research Questions
Qualitative versus Quantitative Questions
Developing Quantitative Research Questions
Developing Qualitative Research Questions
Qualitative versus Quantitative Research Process
Summary
4 Conducting the Literature Review and Developing Research Hypotheses
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
What Is a Review of Literature?
Purposes of a Review of Literature
Potential Sources for the Literature Review
Popular Sources
Professional Journal Articles
Internet Websites
Books
Personal Interviews with Authorities
Research Reports and Monographs
Research Presentations at Conferences
Standard Reference Materials
Other, More Questionable Sources
Content of Workshops
Newspaper Articles
Radio and Television Broadcasts
Magazines and Periodicals
Using Internet Searches to Locate Information Sources
Focused Research Questions
Research Hypotheses
Related Definitions
Variable and Constant
Demographic Variable
Value Label or Value
Frequency
Dependent Variable and Independent Variable
Predictor Variable and Outcome Variable
Confounding Variable
Control Variable
Types of Relationships between Variables
Association
Correlation
Causation
Types of Research Hypotheses
When Are Research Hypotheses Appropriate?
Wording of Research Hypotheses
Consistency of Conceptualization
Relevance to the Problem
Completeness
Specificity
Potential for Testing
Summary
5 Quantitative Research
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
What Is a Research Design?
Categorizations of Research Designs
Cross-Sectional, Pretest–Posttest, and Longitudinal Designs
Cross-Sectional Designs
Pretest–Posttest Designs
Longitudinal Designs
Exploratory, Descriptive, and Explanatory Studies
Exploratory Research
Descriptive Research
Explanatory Research
Pre-Experimental, Experimental, and Quasi-Experimental Designs
Pre-Experimental Designs
Experimental Designs
Quasi-Experimental Designs
Characteristics of a Good Research Design
Internal Validity
External Validity
Summary
6 Qualitative Research
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
Key Characteristics of Qualitative Research
Observer-Participant Role
Qualitative Research Techniques
Sampling Techniques
Data Collection Techniques
Data Analysis Techniques
Qualitative Research Paradigms
The Case Study
Suitable Topics
Strengths and Limitations
Grounded Theory
Data Analysis
Ethnographic Research
Emic and Etic Perspectives
Data Collection
Use of Key Informants
Examples
Cross-Cultural Research
Examples
Feminist Research
Goals and Assumptions
A Response to Traditional Research Methods
Design Characteristics
Data Collection and Analysis
Examples
Participatory Action Research
Examples
Evaluation Criteria for Qualitative Research
Summary
7 Evaluating Programs
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
Systematic Reviews
Meta-Analysis
What Is Program Evaluation?
Use of Logic Models
Why We Conduct Program Evaluations
Historical Background
Types of Program Evaluations
Needs Assessments
Formative Evaluations
Outcome Evaluations
Issues Involved in Conducting Program Evaluations
Determining the Appropriate Design
Who Conducts Program Evaluations?
Participating in Program Evaluations
Other Ethical Issues
Summary
8 Evaluating Individual Practice Effectiveness
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
Supervisor Feedback
Consumer Feedback
Goal Attainment Scaling
Single-System Evaluations
Differences between Group Designs and Single-System Evaluation Designs
Terminology
When Are Single-System Evaluations Appropriate?
Elements of Single-System Evaluation Designs
Defining the Outcome or Dependent Variable
Measuring the Outcome or Dependent Variable
Defining the Independent Variable or Intervention
Conducting the Baseline Phase
Conducting the Intervention Phase
Graphing and Analyzing the Data.
Single-System Evaluation Designs
B Design
AB Design
Successive Intervention Designs
Withdrawal Designs
Multiple-Baseline Design
Strengths and Weaknesses of Single-System Evaluations
Ethical Issues
Summary
9 Sampling Issues and Options
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
Terminology
Case
Universe, Theoretical Population, and Accessible Population
Sampling Frame
Sample
Representativeness
Sample Size
Sampling Error
Sampling Bias
Statistic and Parameter
Random Selection
Random Sample
Summary of Terms
Probability Sampling
Simple Random Sampling
Systematic Random Sampling
Stratified Random Sampling
Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling
Disproportionate Stratified Random Sampling
Cluster Sampling
Nonprobability Sampling
Convenience Sampling
Purposive Sampling
Snowball Sampling
Quota Sampling
Selecting a Good Sample
Available Resources
Overall Design and Purpose of the Study
Statistical Analyses to Be Used
The Importance of Sample Representativeness
Summary
10 Measurement Concepts and Issues
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
What Is Measurement in Research?
Preparation for Measurement
Conceptualization
Operationalization
Cultural Sensitivity in Operationalization
Levels of Measurement
Nominal Level
Ordinal Level
Interval Level
Ratio Level
More on Levels of Measurement
Criteria for Good Measurement
Reliability
Test-Retest Reliability
Parallel Forms Reliability
Split Half Reliability
Coefficient Alpha
Interobserver Agreement
Which Type of Reliability Is Most Important?
Validity
Content Validity
Criterion Validity
Construct Validity
Sources of Measurement Error
Summary
11 Methods for Acquiring Research Data
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
Secondary Data Analysis
Sources
Different Uses
Tasks Required
Advantages
Limitations
Oral Histories
Client Logs
Systematic Observation
Unstructured Observation
Advantages
Limitations
Structured Observation
Advantages
Limitations
Surveys
Potential for Distortion
Identity of the Participant
Return Rate
Response Bias
Interviews
In-Person Interviews
Goal and Objective
Reason for Use
Relationship with Research Participants
Attitudes Toward Emotionality
Structure
Discussion of Sensitive Issues
Advantages
Disadvantages
Interviewing Protocol
Group Interviews
Focus Groups
Other Group Data Collection Methods
Telephone Interviews
Electronic Communication
Summary
12 Data Collection Instruments
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
Fixed-Alternative and Open-Ended Items
Composite Indexes and Scales
Composite Indexes
Scales
Linear or Summated Scales
Semantic Differential Scales
Using Existing Data Collection Instruments
Revising Existing Data Collection Instruments
Constructing New Data Collection Instruments
Issues in Development
Intent of Items
Clarity of Items
Use of Contingency Instructions
Sequencing of Items
Instructions for Responding
Length of the Instrument
Presentation
The Importance of Pilot-Testing
Use of Self-Administered Data Collection Instruments
Advantages
Supervised Administration
Summary
13 Analyzing Data
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
The Data in Perspective
Preparing for Data Analysis
Qualitative and Quantitative Data Analysis
Qualitative Analysis
Quantitative Analysis
Uses of Statistical Analyses
Designing Research
Summarizing the Distribution of Variables
Frequency Distributions
Graphs
Frequency Distributions and Graphs for Multiple Variables
Measures of Central Tendency
Measures of Variability or Dispersion
Estimating the Characteristics of a Population
Answering Questions and Testing Hypotheses
Inferential Statistical Analysis
Statistical Significance
Statistical Significance versus Meaningfulness
Selecting a Statistical Test
Interpreting and Reporting the Results
Summary
14 Writing the Research Report and Disseminating Research Findings
Learning Outcomes
Chapter Outline
Main Sections of the Research Report
Title
Abstract
Introduction
Review of the Literature
Statement of Research Questions and Hypotheses
Methodology
Findings
Discussion
Limitations
Recommendations for Future Research, Implications for Social Work, and Conclusions
References and Appendices
Quantitative versus Qualitative Research Reports
Referencing in a Research Report
Role of Researcher in the Research Report
Disseminating Research Findings
Internal Correspondence and In-Service Training
Professional Conferences
Professional Journals
Monographs, Dissertations, and Theses
Summary
References
Text Credits
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Index
Bonnie Yegidis is Professor and Director of the School of Social Work at the University of South Florida, Tampa. She teaches in the research methods and social work practice sequences in the School, and has conducted research on family violence, cross-cultural issues in social work practice, and evidence based social work practice. Dr. Yegidis earned her MSW degree from West Virginia University and her Ph. D. in Curriculum and Instruction, with a concentration in Measurement and Evaluation, from the University of South Florida. She is the recipient of a number of awards and honors including Social Worker of the Year from the Georgia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and the Distinguished Alum Award from West Virginia University.
Robert W. Weinbach, Ph.D., MSW is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of South Carolina, where he continues to teach graduate level research courses in the College of Social Work. He is also the first author of Statistics for Social Workers, Eighth Edition; The Social Worker as Manager, Sixth Edition; and is the author of Evaluating Social Work Services and Programs (all published by Allyn & Bacon), as well as over 75 other publications and invited book chapters. He earned graduate degrees in social work from SUNY-Buffalo and Ohio State University and has worked in both medical and psychiatric social work practice and as a program evaluator.
Laura Myers is an Associate Professor and BSW Program Director at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, FL. Laura received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy and completed her coursework and Master’s thesis in Computer Science and Statistics from the University of Southern Mississippi. After several years of computer consulting for accounting firms, she returned to school to complete her M.S.W. and Ph.D. in Social Work at the University of Georgia. Laura lives in Tallahassee with her husband, Dr. Bruce Thyer, and their four children, John, William, Joseph, and Cynthia. Laura is interested in research, scholarly writing, human diversity and social discrimination, eating disorders, and social work and spirituality.
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