Social Work Research Mid-term exam
Which choice is an example of obtaining knowledge from authority?
. Your supervisor says to do it this way
Which one is the best example of qualitative data?
A teenager describes reasons for her delinquency
When selecting a measuring instrument, you should be concerned with the instrument's: Nonreactivity Reliability Sensitivity to small changes Utility Validity
All of these
Adapting research studies with an eye toward cultural awareness involves: Ensuring that the work processes are appropriate None of these are true Ensuring that the products are meaningful Working with stakeholders Correct! All of these are true
All of these are true
The essential competencies for a social work researcher to be culturally sensitive are: Cultural awareness None of these are true Intercultural communication skills An ability to appropriately adapt evaluation methods and processes Correct! All of these are true Specific knowledge about the culture in which we hope to work
All of these are true
A controversy in designing ethical studies is whether clients should:
Be assigned to a control group
Quantitative studies serve which four functions?
Causal analysis, description, prediction, analysis of interventions
Steven is conducting a research study. He believes that his study needs to be accurate, measureable, be very scientific, and completely objective. He is aware of his values and beliefs, but knows he has to leave them so that his values do not influence his results. Steven is taking an interpretive approach to his research study.
False
The mixed-methods research approach is not very accessible.
False
The qualitative research approach does not employ the positivist way of thinking, and therefore is not concerned with biases.
False
You do not need to obtain consent from a client when doing a study in cases where the study would not harm the client in any way and his/her name would not be shared or published.
False
Which of the following statements is/are true about the literature review process during problem formulation?
Good places to start a literature review include abstracts, bibliographies, and library subject guides and computerized search services
You intentionally set the minute hand of an expensive wrist watch five minutes ahead, and check the time hourly. This is an example of:
High reliability and low validity
Regarding the relationship between validity and reliability, which condition CANNOT happen?
High validity, low reliability
Which choice is a major function of measurement?
Increase correspondence between the real world and concepts
A social worker tells potential clients about the risks of the research they may participate in. This is called:
Informed consent
The quantitative research approach is part of the positivist way of thinking which includes:
Measurability, objectivity, reducing uncertainty, duplication, and the use of standardized procedures
The main reason you operationalize a variable is to:
Measure it
While doing a quantitative research study on the effects that domestic violence has on a woman's self-esteem, you have been given the opportunity to personally interview a client who has been a victim of domestic violence. Despite your quantitative focus, you should interview the client, ask her some open ended questions and incorporate her individual experiences in an effort to strengthen your study.
True
Causal analysis has to do with:
Why a problem occurs
The use of standardized instruments when evaluating diverse groups is also problematic. Sometimes findings are invalid because measurement instruments have not been normed for use with ethnic and cultural groups.
True
We must strive to explain our study's procedures in terms that can be easily understood by prospective participants.
True
Which choice shows the role of research consumer?
You read research studies and use the findings to incorporate into your practices
Which choice is an example of obtaining knowledge from tradition?
Your agency has always done it this way
Mary has decided that she would like to conduct a research study on which Presidential candidate people plan to vote for in the next election. Using the knowledge-level continuum, she determines her research study is:
a. Descriptive, using a quantitative approach
Who are you, as professional social workers, accountable to: a Our profession b All of the above c Our funders d Our clients
all of the above
A good basis for selecting a social work research topic would be: All of these are true Whether social workers are implementing an intervention in the intended fashion A lack of awareness of the characteristics and needs of a new target population Information needed to guide a decision about what services to provide
all of these are true
If data are collected in a manner that is inconsistent with the cultural values of the staff or clients involved, reliability and validity of the results can be negatively influenced.
true
Informed consent means, for example, that a client should know about the nature of the research, and potential risks.
True
Lindsay has completed her research proposal. She understands the importance of value awareness while conducting her research study. She will be immersing her values into the phases of her approach. The study will mostly take place in discussion form. She is using a qualitative research approach.
True
Macro-level culture can be seen in the form of mandates, policies, and practices in communities and institutions.
True
Micro-level culture is found with individuals and is reflected in their personal values, beliefs, communication styles, and behaviors.
True
Mixed-methods approaches are practical in the sense that researchers are free to use all methods possible to address various research problems
True
Mixed-methods provides a bridge across the sometimes adversarial divide between quantitative and qualitative researchers.
True
Nominal measurement is the lowest level of measurement.
True
One of the major differences between the quantitative and qualitative research approaches is how they utilize the literature.
True
The National Association of Social Worker's Code of Ethics (2017) contains an ethical standard that requires social work students to be educated in research methodology.
True
The literature review draws mainly on primary sources.
True
You are formulating a research question about whether or not ethnic minorities have a more difficult time accessing social services than members of the ethnic majority. In order to better formulate your research question you should:
Conduct a literature review to find relevant articles pertaining to ethnic minorities and their use of social services to decide where your research question should be on the knowledge-level continuum.
You've been having a difficult time finding participants for your study on homelessness. To gain more participants you should:
Consider offering a small incentive ($10), calling it compensation for their time.
In social work there is a scientific inquiry process that allows you to research any assumptions you may have. Within this inquiry there are four phases that should be followed. Which of the following is NOT one of these phases? a. Testing the assumption to see what extent it's true e. None of the above b. Continually replicating your research study d. Making an assumption on the basis of observations/measurements c. Observing and/or measuring something about a person/object/event
Continually replicating your research study
If we test a hypothesis that the well-being of abused children will be better after they are placed with relatives than after they are placed in foster care not with relatives, well-being is what kind of variable:
Dependent
A study about the frequency of drunk driving arrests shows which function of quantitative studies?
Descriptive
What are the last 5 steps in the quantitative research process?
Develop research hypothesis, sampling plan, data collection, analyze data, report writing
Dominick is working to construct a research study that explores the possible relationship between soldiers in the army developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ethnicity. Through being enlisted in the army for 10 years, he suspects that some ethnicities may have a predisposition to PTSD. Since Dominick already has a large knowledge base on PTSD and only a small knowledge base on the prevalence PTSD has in each ethnicity, he feels he is ready to explore the possibility of a relationship. To acquire objective research findings that best answer Dominick's research question, which research approach should Dominick use? Why?
Dominick should use the quantitative approach because this approach will help him obtain objective, numerical information that will either confirm or disprove the relationship.
What type of validity is it when a social worker asks their co-workers if a measure looks like it applies to their clients?
Face
Shenia is asked by her boss to administer a questionnaire to a group of students for stress research. After the questionnaire is completed, she receives several comments about how it didn't seem like the questions had much to do with stress. She looks it over and indeed it doesn't seem relevant to stress. This may mean the questionnaire is low on which kind of validity?
Face validity
A consent form is a legal binding contract that requires the client to complete their participation in the research study.
False
A literature review can never help you to identifying any opposing views to your own.
False
An organization's perception or worldview is an example of micro-level culture.
False
John has been preparing to begin work with a Native American family. He has spent a lot of time discussing cultural differences with his supervisor and reading about Native American culture in order to be most effective in his practice with a Native American family. John's efforts are an example of enculturation.
False
Josh is conducting a research study at your university. He is finding it a challenge to acquire an adequate number of participants. Time after time the individuals that qualify for the study decline due to the time commitment. After months of trying to construct the two groups needed for the study, Josh decides that he needs to offer some incentive to potential participants if he wants to complete his study. He decides that a monetary incentive of $25 would be the most effective option. By paying this money, Josh has bribed people to participate in the study and has crossed an ethical boundary.
False
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are foster parents who have been accused of child abuse. The story has sparked a firestorm in the local media. The administrator of the placing agency is planning to conduct an evaluative study to investigate the problem. While he hopes that he can get to the bottom of what is going on, he also hopes that the study will satisfy the media for the time being. Because the ends justify the means, he is making an ethical decision.
False
One area of research that is universally agreed upon is that the outcomes of a program are more important in evaluation than the services provided.
False
Qualitative data lends itself to statistical analyses as easily as quantitative data.
False
Qualitative studies must not be changed in any manner once the research has begun.
False
Becca is gathering participants for her research study. She has given each potential participant a detailed view of what will happen during the study, how long the study will take, and the potential risks or benefits. She has explained that although there is no monetary benefit, participants should know that the findings of the study will benefit others in the future. Becca is conducting the study in a small town and assumes the potential participants understand the possibility that their anonymous quotes may be recognizable to others in the close-knit community, so she doesn't mention this while discussing confidentiality. Has Becca truly obtained informed consent?
No, Becca has identified a possible breach in the participants' confidentiality. It is her responsibility to account for this when obtaining consent.
Respectively, which words represent the nature of quantitative and qualitative data?
Numbers, words
Respectively, what are the general steps of the research process?
Observations and or measurements, make assumption, test assumption, revise assumption
Which one is an ethical concern about sharing findings of research studies?
Only sharing positive findings
The below 5-point scale is an example of what level of measurement? Not at all satisfied Somewhat satisfied Moderately satisfied Generally satisfied Very satisfied ratio
Ordinal
What is it called when you slightly engage with the material you found when doing a literature review?
Overview
Which of the following is the best example of a hypothesis that might be held by a social worker providing a support group to caregivers of relatives with AIDS?
Participation in the support group will reduce caregivers' level of depression
Put the steps of the research process in order from 1 through 7.
Problem identification selection of specific variables study design data collection data analysis interpretation of findings Presentation and dissemination of findings
Measurement can be broadly defined as assigning numbers to the:
Properties of events
Jane is seeking alternatives to parenthood following her unplanned pregnancy. The clinic she visited asked her to participate in a survey. Jane agreed and signed a consent form stating she fully understood the research methods being used. The researchers noticed that Jane appeared nervous and uncertain after signing the form. They should:
Question Jane concerning whether she fully understands the study and remind her that she can withdraw at any time and still receive services from the clinic without penalty.
What are the first 4 steps in the quantitative research process?
Select problem, conceptualize variables, operationalize variables, label variables
What would you be using to measure results if you administered the same measuring instrument to the same group of people on two separate occasions to observe the similarities between the results?
Test-retest method
With regard to the researcher's values, what best fits the qualitative research approach?
The researcher's values are acknowledged and explored so that interactions with the participant are understood.
Which of the following is not true regarding quantitative and qualitative methods?
The two methods are incompatible and cannot be combined in the same study
Which choice below shows the major sources of knowledge listed in the text? c. Research, qualitative/quantitative, professional journals, common sense a. Tradition, science, research, common sense, professional journals b. Science, experience, common sense, tradition, newspapers d. Tradition, authority, experience, intuition, scientific method
Tradition, authority, experience, intuition, scientific method
Applied research is likely to focus on what?
Treating or solving problems
A client may withdraw participation in study at any time for any reason, after signing a consent form.
True
A good measuring instrument is reliable in that it gives the same score over and over again provided that the measurement is made under the same conditions and nothing about the research participant has changed.
True
A literature review can help you to bring more clarity and focus to your research question or hypothesis
True
A literature review can help you to improve your research study's methodology.
True
A mixed-methods researcher needs to have strong skills in doing qualitative studies.
True
A mixed-methods researcher needs to have strong skills in doing quantitative studies
True
Cultural differences are best seen by the social worker as a source of strength and enrichment, not as a barrier to be overcome.
True
Effective intercultural communication requires specific knowledge of the other culture and its communication symbols.
True
Enculturation refers to the fact that, as children, we learn to behave in ways that are appropriate to our culture.
True
Ethnocentrism is defining the world in our own terms.
True
Faulty research methodology and design has blurred perception of ethnic groups. Research methods emphasizing the strengths of ethnic groups are rare.
True
Findings derived from multicultural research studies are co-owned with diverse communities and must be shared in culturally appropriate ways.
True
Research problems suited for mixed-methods research approaches are those in which: One data source may be insufficient A second method is needed to enhance a primary method An overall research objective can be best addressed with multiple phases or projects Correct! All of these are true A theoretical stance needs to be employed Exploratory findings need to be generalized
all of these are true
The literature review can have a variety of purposes: To help you understand the issues involved. To help inform your own ideas about your research problem area. To help you identify a suitable topic for study. Correct! All of these are true To help you identify relevant literature for your study. To become a critical co-conversant in the "academic conversation." To gain familiarity with the accepted research approaches and methods in our profession.
all of these are true
You can organize your literature review around: By date of study By school of thought/theory Correct! all of these are true By themes that have emerged from the literature by research approach None of these are true
all of these are true
What factors must we consider when evaluating a good research question? a Feasibility b All answers are correct c Researchability d Relevance e Ethical and cultural acceptability
b all answers are correct
If you want to find the exact proportion of social workers working in each of the various fields of practice (mental health, child welfare, hospital SW, and so on), you would undertake a ___________________ study
descriptive
You would probably use qualitative analyses to examine:
dimensions of a problem
If you want to find out whether the intervention you have designed really reduces depression, you would undertake a _______________________ study.
evaluative
Amy is studying the factors that contribute to getting good grades in her research class. She wants to know whether her biological factors are a greater contributor to obtaining her grades than her poor study habits. Which type of research question is Amy using?
explanatory
In you want to obtain tentative new insights and develop new theory around the emotional impact on parents of caregiving for their child with AIDS, you would undertake a _________________ study.
exploratory
In the example in question above, age of the children is what kind of variable?
extraneous
Which aspects are included in the definition of social work research? a. Structured inquiry b Solve human problems c Generate new knowledge e Use acceptable methodology f All of the above
f All of the above
What are the three main qualitative data collection methods?
interviews, participant observation, analyzing documents
a controversy in designing ethical studies is whether the studies should:
involve deception
Richard wants to write a research proposal. The subject he is interested in does not have a lot of preexisting knowledge surrounding it. Thus, he will be asking basic interview questions to his research participants. What kind of research approach will he likely be taking?
qualitative
