Research Midterm Fall 12'

What is the direction in the following hypothesis?: If the general purpose of a group session is stated at the beginning of the session, more people will participate in the discussion. a. positive direction b. negative direction c. no direction d. unable to determine direction

No direction

The control group is the group that receives: a. the treatment b. the dependent variable c. the independent variable d. no treatment

No treatment

An example of a null research hypothesis is: a. There is no relationship between grade in school and depression level. b. Freshmen college students experience more stress than sophomore students c. 12- year old girls and boys differ on their scores on the self-esteem scale. d. Women experience more depression during mid-life than men

There is no relationship between grade in school and depression level

The goal of an experimental design is to: a. Generate ideas about treatment b. To understand what it means to the participants c. Establish the relationship between dependent and independent variables d. To publish an article

Establish the relationship between dependent and independent variables.

A social work researcher wants to know the impact of home visits on hospital admissions. In designing the study it is hoped that some explanations will be developed in order to reduce hospital admissions. What type of research is this? a. Exploratory b. Explanatory c. Descriptive d. Qualitative

Explanatory

Studies that to have smaller samples and mostly use qualitative methods of data collection are: a. Explanatory b. Exploratory c. Experimental d. Descriptive

Exploratory

Research studies that develop techniques and a sense of directions for more inquiries, and when there is very little know about the problem could be described as: a. Exploratory studies b. Descriptive studies c. Explanatory studies d. Experimental studies

Exploratory Studies

I want to develop a research design that will I know little about. Also I found very little about it in a literature review. I decided to go ahead and study this topic and hope that other researchers will be able to add to the knowledge in other ways. I will be using which research design? a. One-group posttest-only design b. Cross-sectional survey design c. Exploratory design d. Posttest-only design

Exploratory design

In the standard notation for research designs, R stands for a. independent variable. b. dependent variable. c. random assignment of participants to a group. d. nonrandom assignment of participants to a group.

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What is the direction in the following hypothesis?: Women are likely to have more close friends than men. a. positive direction b. negative direction c. no direction d. unable to determine direction

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When is the best time to determine if the data needed to study a problem will be available? a. prior to seeking IRB approval b. after permission to conduct thee research has been granted c. after the research hypothesis has been specified d. just prior to collecting the data.

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Which one is not a characteristic of a classic experiment? a. Independent variable must be manipulated b. Dependent variable must be manipulated c. A control group d. Random sampling

Dependent variable must be manipulated

Why do researchers often start out with more broad research questions than the number that they ultimately will attempt to answer? a. The literature may reveal that the answers to some are already known. b. More research questions is always better in a research study. c. You are more likely to get published if you answer multiple research questions. d. This only happens in qualitative studies.

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A social work research problem may be defined as a: a. research question b. gap in knowledge that limits effective practice. c. research hypothesis. d. research design

A gap in knowledge that limits effective practice

Natasha is studying the factors that contribute to getting good grades in her research class. She wants to know if getting better grades is related to biological factors or study habits. What kind of study does Natasha need to develop? a. An exploratory research b. A descriptive research c. An explanatory research d. A medical research

An explanatory research

One of the following research questions would probably lead to a predominantly quantitative study: a. How do men and women differ in the meaning they ascribe to physical beauty? b. How do Native Americans feel about the way their ancestors were treated by Europeans? c. Are IQ scores and income levels positively correlated among adult males in the United States? d. How do men and women differ in the way they view the aging process?

Are the IQ schores and income levels positively correlated among adult males in the US?

Studies that tend to use larger samples and quantitative and/or qualitative methods are: a. Explanatory b. Quasi-experimental c. Experimental d. Descriptive

Descriptive

Hypotheses are tested to determine if there are relationships among variables. In explanatory research a hypothesis is basically an educated guess of the relationships among variables. How is a hypothesis generated? a. Descriptive studies b. Explanatory studies c. Experimental studies d. Empirical studies

Descriptive studies

In evaluating the improvement in a client's functioning after completing a treatment for depression, the following confounding variables might all affect the client's depression level except: a. Client attending AA meetings. b. Client got a promotion at work. c. The client's son graduated from high school. d. Confounding variables will not affect the client's mood

Confounding variables will not affect the client's mood

Raul wanted to study the effects of cognitive family therapy. He had stated his hypothesis at the beginning of the study. His hypothesis was that there would be a negative relationship between cognitive family therapy and family strife. What type of variable is family strife? a. Independent b. Confounding c. Dependent d. Hypothesis

Dependent

Quasi-experimental groups designs are distinguished from true experiments primarily because they: a. always use only one measurement of the dependent variable. b. do not involve exposure to an independent variable. c. never use a comparison group. d. fail to randomly assign participants to either the experimental or the control groups.

Fail to randomly assign participants to either the

In the hypothesis, "There is a positive correlation between grades on a statistics exam and number of math courses previously completed," the outcome variable is: a. number of hours studied. b. grades in the math course. c. grades on the statistics exam. d. number of math courses previously completed.

Grades on the statistic exam

Claire is doing a study on divorced people and their happiness. She believes that reality therapy will help them to "move on" with their lives. She decides to do a pretest/posttest design in order to see if the therapy helped. During the group several of the members started dating. At the end of the group the results were astounding and Claire was excited that her hypothesis had proven correct. This is an issue because it violates: a. Researcher bias b. Testing Effects c. History, a threat to internal validity d. History, a threat to external validity

History, a threat to internal validity

Which of the following research questions would probably lead to a predominantly qualitative study? a. Has the number of students entering college been affected by the economic recession? b. What is the trend in the number of men staying home to care for young children over the past twenty years? c. How do men and women differ in the meaning they give to staying at home to care for children? d. Has the total number of cases of anorexia reported in college health centers increased or decreased over the past decade?

How do men and woman differ in the meaning they give

Exploratory studies tend to use general research questions to understand more about the issues that we are studying. They tend to not emphasize "why" questions, but instead focus on the descriptors of "who" or "how." Which of the questions below could be used in an exploratory study? a. How many college students are retained each semester? b. What is the relationship between college retention and income c. College retention is related to income. d. College retention is positively related to income.

How many college students

1. What should be the first step in all social work research? a. Formulation of the research hypothesis b. Selection of the statistical analysis that will be used. c. Identification of the research problem d. Selection of one or more research

Identification of the research problem

What should be the first step in all social work research? a. Formulation of the research hypothesis b. Selection of the statistical analysis that will be used. c. Identification of the research problem d. Selection of one or more research

Identification of the research problem

In determining if a specific problem is worthy of study, a researcher should decide: a. if a test group can be put together b. if the researcher can find a journal to publish it c. if any findings are likely to be useful in alleviating it. d. if the problem is a popular topic at the time.

If any findings are likely to be sueful in alleviating it

Social worker researchers look at different variables to try and determine causal relationships. Which variable is assumed to the presumed cause? a. Independent b. Dependent c. Confounding d. Hypothesis

Independent

A problem may be difficult to study for all of the reason listed below except: a. it is just too large. b. certain key variables would be difficult too difficult to measure. c. needed data cannot be accessed. d. it might not be a popular topic

It might not be a popular topic

The text states that there are three conditions that must be present in relationships in order to conclude that one variable (x) causes the changes in the other (y). Which of those below are not one of those conditions? a. x must actually precede y in time order. b. x and y must consistently covary c. it must be in a cross-sectional research design d. All other explanations for changes in y must be ruled out

It must be a cross-sectional research design.

What is the independent/dependent variable in the hypothesis: The more knowledge social workers have about AIDS, the more comfortable they are in helping people with AIDS. a. increased comfort/knowledge of AIDS b. helping people/knowledge of AIDS c. Knowledge of AIDS/increased comfort d. knowledge of AIDS/helping people

Knowledge of AIDS/ Increased comfort

Which threat to internal validity concerns how subjects may change from internal factors during the study? a. Random Sampling b. Maturation c. History d. Testing-effect

Maturation

In the standard notation for research designs, O stands for a. independent variable. b. measurement of the dependent variable. c. random assignment of participants to a group. d. nonrandom assignment of participants to a group.

Measuremnt of the dependent variable

One of the following is not a requirement of an experimental design: a. Multiple measures must be taken before and after exposure to the independent variable. b. The independent variables are introduced or manipulated, one at a time, by the researcher. c. There are one or more control groups that are not exposed to the independent variable. d. Research participants are randomly assigned to experimental and control groups.

Multiple measures must be taken before and after exposure to the independent variable

An example of a directional research hypothesis is: a. Adolescents who participate in group therapy and those who participate in individual therapy will differ on their depression levels b. There is no relationship between type of therapy and success rate. c. Older people have a greater sense of life satisfaction than younger people. d. Men and women differ in their attitudes toward parenting..

Older people have a greater sense of life satisfaction that younger people

What is the direction in the following hypothesis?: The more hours students take to prepare for an exam, the higher their exam grade is likely to be. a. positive direction b. negative direction c. no direction d. unable to determine direction

Positive Direction

What is the direction in the following hypothesis?: The more knowledge social workers have about AIDS, the more comfortable they are in helping people with AIDS. a. positive direction b. negative direction c. no direction d. unable to determine direction

Positive drection

A study was designed to see if AA and the 12 steps helped people stop drinking. The researcher asked people who had attended AA and completed the steps to take a test at the end of treatment. This test design is which of the following? a. Cross sectional survey design b. Post-test design c. Pre-test/Post-test design d. Longitudinal design

Post-test design

The process the data collection beginning quite early, following a less extensive literature review is a good description of: a. Qualitative Research b. Quantitative Research c. An experimental study d. An exploratory study

Qualitative Research

The experimental group is the group that receives: a. The dependent variable b. The most improvement c. No treatment of any kind d. The treatment

The treatment

Which of the following might be an appropriate problem area for a social work researcher to study? a. the long-term medical effects of methamphetamines on kidney functioning b. law enforcement procedures for conducting raids on homes where methamphetamines are being produced c. the advisability of using confrontation in working with adolescents who use methamphetamines d. how methamphetamines are produced.

The advisablility of using confrontation in working with adolescents

What factor sometimes influences an Institutional Review Board to approve a research study that requires the use of deception? a. The findings of the research would be likely to be beneficial to society. b. The knowledge sought can be acquired in some other way. c. The research participants may be harmed by the deception. d. The IRB is really interested in the topic.

The findings of the research would be likely to be beneficial to society.

In the research hypothesis, "Clients who complete job training Program A will have greater success in finding employment than clients who complete Program B," what is the variable "program completed"? a. the independent variable b. the dependent variable c. a demographic variable d. a confounding variable

The independent variable

In research terminology, the word "frequency" refers to: a. the number of times that the dependent variable is measured. b. the number of cases that possess a given measurement of a variable. c. the number of possible different measurements that a variable can have. d. the number of variables that a research study measures.

The number of cases that possess a given measurement of variable.

Informed consent is a safeguard to help protect research participants from harm. What does this mean to the research participant? a. It is simply a part of the form b. It means the researcher can change the procedures if necessary. c. That after the consent if given the researcher will explain the study. d. The participant must be informed about the study before giving consent.

The participant must be informed about the study before giving consent

Which of the following is NOT a consideration in selecting a social research problem? a. Are persons in other disciplines better suited to study it? b. Is the researcher really concerned about it and interested in addressing it? c. What is the potential for utilization of the findings and recommendations that might be generated by studying it? d. This topic has never been studied before.

This topic has never been studied before.

All of the following are possible examples of voluntary clients not really being voluntary, except one: a. Business owners will share information about their companies in order to improve service delivery. b. Poor single mothers will get free child care for participating. c. Students will get extra credit for volunteering. d. Drug addicts will receive monetary payment for participating

a. Business owners will share information about their companies in order to improve service delivery.

Studies that employ quantitative methods are characterized by, or attempt to employ, the following: a. Careful measurement of variables b. Relatively small selected case samples c. Control of other variables through reviewing it carefully d. A wide variety of data collection methods

a. Careful measurement of variables

The Tuskegee study led to the development of what ethical principle? a. No unnecessary pain and suffering b. Confidentiality c. Dual-role relationships d. Anonymity

a. No unnecessary pain and suffering

Anonymity is best defined as: a. Not collecting any identifying information on the subjects participating in your research study. b. Assuring the human subjects of your research that all information about them, and all answers they provide, will remain in the hands of the investigator and that no person outside the research process will have access to their information. c. Asking human subjects to sign a form before participating in a study that provides full information about the features of the study that might affect their decision about whether to participate, particularly regarding its procedures and potential harm. d. Insuring that human subjects are aware that they are participating in a study and are informed of all the consequences of the study and consent to participate in the study.

a. Not collecting any identifying information on the subjects participating in your research study.

Students have gathered their articles for their literature review. What will be the first step in beginning the literature review? a. Organize the articles in related topics b. Critically review each article c. Look for more articles as you can never have enough information d. Begin writing the literature review

a. Organize the articles in related topics

Consequences for engaging in research misconduct are varied but may include: a. ineligibility for future grants b. only effects the researcher not the university c. is very embarrassing but does not include monetary penalties d. usually happens to all novice researchers.

a. ineligibility for future grants

A social work researcher has an ethical obligation to: a. protect his or her research participants. b. ensure politicians that the research is good. c. ensure if a university is involved that they get credit. d. pay the participants

a. informed consent

Research that emphasizes understanding of social phenomena through direct observation is best described as: a. qualitative b. quantitative c. deductive d. using the scientific method

a. qualitative

Which group of people may not be truly "voluntary participants" in research studies, even if they sign an informed consent form? a. students for whom participation is a course requirement b. students who sign up in the Student Center c. patients who sign up in a medical clinic d. women who are pregnant

a. students for whom participation is a course requirement

What is probably the greatest strength of information found on the Internet? a. the information can be updated easily and so may be more up to date than books or journal articles. b. the information on the Internet is always checked for accuracy before being placed on a Web site. c. Once information is put on a Web site, it will always stay the same. d. Only experts put information on social work Web sites.

a. the information can be updated easily and so may be more up to date than books or journal articles.

4. The role of the author of a literature review section of a research report is closest to that of a. tour guide b. teacher c. authority d. librarian.

a. tour guide

What kind of relationship between variables is predicted in the research hypothesis "Male graduate students are more likely to re-sell their textbooks than female graduate students"? a. association b. correlation c. cause-effect d. no relationship

associated

Why are articles in professional journals considered one of the most trustworthy knowledge sources? a. Because journals are very expensive to publish and purchase b. Because journal articles undergo an anonymous peer review process before being published c. Because only professors can publish articles in professional journals d. Because editors of journals select the articles based solely on their extensive knowledge of the field.

b. Because journal articles undergo an anonymous peer review process before being published

A peer review committee of five or more volunteers who review research proposals and monitor ongoing research to ensure human subjects are adequately protected are: a. NASW b. Institutional Review Board c. Human Subjects Board d. CSWE

b. Institutional Review Board

Knowledge that evolves from the accumulation of descriptive knowledge, which reveals consistent reoccurring patterns is: a. Descriptive b. Predictive c. Prescriptive d. Empirical

b. Predictive

What does it mean when we say "in science, all knowledge is provisional"? a. Scientific knowledge cannot be trusted. b. Scientific knowledge should be regarded as tentative; subsequent research may prove it wrong. c. Scientific knowledge cannot be trusted as much as other sources of knowledge such as common sense. d. Producing scientific knowledge is the responsibility of all social workers.

b. Scientific knowledge should be regarded as tentative; subsequent research may prove it wrong.

The first step in the research process should be: a. selection of a data collection instrument. b. problem identification and specification. c. selection of a research design. d. formulation of the research hypothesis.

b. problem identification and specification.

8. The sequence of events that includes; specification of a theory; statement of a hypothesis to test the theory; observation (data collection);and confirmation (or disconfirmation) of the theory, indicates what type of research method. a. qualitative b. quantitative c. inductive d. unethical

b. quantitative

Selecting or formulating operational definitions of key terms; development of a method for sampling; and identification of variables would best describe what kind of research: a. qualitative b. quantitative c. inductive d. participant observation

b. quantitative

What is a definition of a social work research problem? a. A statement of a relationship between variables. b. An unanswered question such as, "Is ADHD real?" c. A gap in knowledge that causes social work practice to be less effective than it could be. d. A difficulty in social functioning that affects many people.

c. A gap in knowledge that causes social work practice to be less effective than it could be.

The researcher assures the research participants that their participation will be confidential. What is the researcher promising? a. The researcher is promising that no one will know who they are. b. Only the data entry person will know who they are c. Only the researcher will know who they are. d. The researcher cannot make this promise

c. Only the researcher will know who they are.

5. In science, the phrase "public way of knowing" refers to a researcher's obligation to: a. publish the findings of the research as soon as possible. b. conduct the research in an ethical manner. c. describe the research methods used so others can try to replicate the findings. d. review all related knowledge before collecting data.

c. describe the research methods used so others can try to replicate the findings.

12. The Tuskegee Study is an unfortunate example of unethical research. One ethical problem of the research is the psychological damage it inflicted, however, what is the most glaring ethical issue with the Tuskegee Study? a. Lack of empirical evidence b. Problems with anonymity c. Misrepresentation of findings d. Physical harm

d. Physical harm

4. Knowledge that can tell us what we should say or do to be effective in our interventions is referred to as: a. empirical b. descriptive c. Predictive d. Prescriptive

d. Prescriptive

All of the following ethical questions were raised by the Laud Humphreys studies of homosexual behavior except one: a. Had the researcher validated the clients' right to privacy? b. Had participation in the study been voluntary? c. Could the researchers have obtained this data without the use of deception? d. Was this research necessary since so much was already known about this population?

d. Was this research necessary since so much was already known about this population?

What is a question that is really NOT central to research ethics? a. Who will benefit or suffer from the actions of the researcher? b. Whose rights should take priority over the rights of others? c. Does the end (knowledge) justify the means (potential discomfort or harm to participants)? d. Will it produce an article for the researcher?

d. Will it produce an article for the researcher?

What would be an example of "applied research"? a. a program evaluation to determine if a county job-training program should continue to receive federal funding b. a study to determine whether or not social workers who take a course on psychopathology are more likely to pass their state licensure exam than those who do not c. a study to measure the level of status that social workers enjoy in medical settings within the United States d. a study to learn if clients convicted of child neglect who come voluntarily for counseling have a better success rate than those who are court-ordered to undergo counseling

d. a study to learn if clients convicted of child neglect who come voluntarily for counseling have a better success rate than those who are court-ordered to undergo counseling

In a literature review on depression among children following divorce of their parents, which of the following would you probably see first? a. studies that have looked at the effects of divorce on children b. discussion of depression among children c. specific hypotheses for the research study d. overview of depression

d. overview of depression

Milgram's study that led participants to believe that they were administering shocks is considered unethical primarily because: a. participants did not agree to participate in the research. b. confidentiality of participants was violated. c. deception was used. d. participants were left less emotionally healthy following the research.

d. participants were left less emotionally healthy following the research.

Deception may be considered ethical if: a. the information acquired in the end is known to be very valuable. b. the researcher can be reasonably confident that the participants will not suffer long-term damage. c. the deception is deemed relatively harmless and there is no alternative non-deception method that can be used. d. the clients never know they are being deceived.

deception is deemed relatively harmless and there is no alternative non-deception method that can be used.

The primary function of "Institutional Review Boards" and other similar groups is to: a. train research interviewers. b. provide advice on designing research. c. decide whether to approve or disapprove research studies involving the use of human participants. d. interview potential research participants.

decide whether to approve or disapprove research studies involving the use of human participants.

What is the independent/dependent variable in the hypothesis?: Women are likely to have more close friends than men. a. women/men b. # of close friends/gender c. gender/# of close friends d. # of close friends/men

gender/# of close friends

What is the independent/dependent variable in the hypothesis: The more hours students take to prepare for an exam, the higher their exam grade is likely to be. a. hours/exam grade b. exam grade/hours c. students/hours d. hours/student

hours/exam grade

A variable that influences the dependent variable after the independent variable occurs is a (n) a. control variable b. obscuring variable c. antecedent variable d. intervening variable

intervening variable

The first ethical principle cited by the influential Belmont Report is autonomy, which can be defined as: a. a thorough risk/benefit calculation must be performed b. demands equitable selection of participants c. obligation on the part of the researcher to respect each participant as a person capable of making an informed decision d. equality in distribution of benefits and burdens among the population group(s) likely to benefit from the research.

obligation on the part of the researcher to respect each participant as a person capable of making an informed decision

What is the independent/dependent variable in the hypothesis: If the general purpose of a group session is stated at the beginning of the session, more people will participate in the discussion. a. # of participants/purpose stated b. purpose stated/#of participants c. beginning of the meeting/#of participants d. # of participants/beginning of the meeting.

purpose stated/ # of participants

Task such as selecting a field site; participant observation; and focus groups would likely represent what type of research? a. qualitative b. quantitative c. deductive d. empirical

qualitative

The term "assent" in research ethics refers to the issue of: a. whether some people should be forced to take part in a research study. b. the degree to which older children should be allowed to be involved in the decision as to whether they will participate in research. c. whether research studies that involve dual relationships should ever be permitted. d. whether a researcher should be allowed to know who participated in research and who refused to participate.

the degree to which older children should be allowed to be involved in the decision as to whether they will participate in research.

When potential human research participants appear to lack understanding of what the research will entail and to sign a statement of voluntary informed consent, this should be handled by: a. having witnesses present when data are collected from them. b. using an advocate to decide whether or not it is in their best interest to become research participants. c. providing them with written assurances of anonymity. d. allowing them to agree verbally to participate as research participants.

using an advocate to decide whether or not it is in their best interest to become research participants.

Critics of the Humphrey's study of behavior in public places have been most concerned with the violation of the research participants' right to: a. voluntary informed consent. b. confidentiality. c. debriefing and restoration. d. no unnecessary pain and suffering.

voluntary informed consent.

In research terminology, the terms "value," "value label" or "value category" refer to: a. attributes that differ in quality or quantity among persons or objects. b. the number of cases that possess a given measurement of a variable. c. words or numbers that denote the different measurements of a variable. d. an individual's strongly held belief.

words or numbers that denote the different measuremnt of a variable