False dichotomy. Asserting a claim based on the faulty assumption that there are only two alternatives when there are actually more.
Generalization of data results. The likelihood that these results would be repeated in another study using the same methods as in the current study.
Measurement error. The difference between a measurement and reality.
Pseudoscience. A process that relies on methods that are not scientific but is portrayed in a manner that seems scientific.
Science. A process that relies on a carefully articulated question, the systematic collection of data on an objective basis, the analysis of the data, and the drawing of conclusions consistent with the data.
Social scientist. Someone who applies the principles and methods of science to learn more about social phenomena.
Spirit of scientific inquiry. An atmosphere that adheres to the principles of science.
Statistical significance. A finding that suggests that chance is not a good explanation of the data results.
Statistical test. A mathematical formula that determines the likelihood that a set of data would occur (or be explained by) chance.
Descriptions of Images and Figures
Back to Figure
A flow diagram shows an example of consistency with a question, what’s wrong with this picture?
The following text is inside a square:
In my study, I found the following variables were positively related to social functioning for adolescent mothers: partner support and mother support. Father support and grandmother support were not found to be related to it.
An arrow labeled, ‘therefore I conclude’ flows from here to the following text inside a circle:
A good treatment plan for this population will include efforts to promote mother support, partner support, and grandmother support.
Back to Figure
In this illustration, there are four circles in four corners. Arrows flow from all circles to the center where there is the text, “Scared Straight”.
On top left corner:
It’s a miracle. It makes so much sense you must believe it.
On top right corner:
Here is a list of important people who think it is great!
On bottom left corner:
Here is an example of a success story.
On bottom right corner:
Here are a few facts (cherry-picked)
2 Purposes and Processes of Social Work Research
Jennifer is a social worker who serves on the research committee of a human service agency, where she works with Paula, among others. It is the responsibility of this committee to undertake research studies that can assist the agency in better achieving its mission and meeting the challenges of accountability. Paula is rather preoccupied with a simple device she has found that measures the body’s level of stress. She wants to use this device in a study. Jennifer asked Paula what kind of study she wanted to undertake. Paula was not sure, but she really wanted to use this device. Jennifer asked, “Do you want to describe our clients or evaluate the outcome of a service or determine what is related to client no-shows or what?” Paula was not sure.
Jennifer discussed with Paula the fact that you should start the process of a research study not by deciding on how to measure something but, instead, with the determination of the purpose of the study. Some studies describe people. Some studies explain things by examining the relationship between variables (e.g., age might be related to client no-shows). Some studies evaluate services. Your purpose might be to describe, to explain, or to evaluate. Then you need the specific research question (e.g., Are younger clients more likely to fail to show up for appointments?). After you determine the research question, according to Jennifer, you should review the literature to see how it can guide your process of inquiry. Then you determine who will be your study subjects and how you will measure the relevant variables in your study. The collection and analysis of data is the next step, followed by the drawing of conclusions relevant to the study results. That is the way it should go, according to Jennifer.
Introduction
This chapter will guide you through the various purposes of social work research as well as the processes you will undertake when you seek to use research to answer your questions. Do you want to describe people, explain things, evaluate services, or explore unknown territory? Your purpose will guide the decisions about your study methods. For example, are the students in your college liberal or conservative? Anyone who reviewed your study of this question would be interested in how you defined and measured your key variable. What indicates that you are liberal? What shows that you are conservative? There are many ways these terms can be defined and many ways they can be measured. What were the choices of the researcher in this instance? Because your intent is to describe people with precision, your approach to measurement is perhaps more important than it might be in some other studies.
In Chapter 1, you examined the saying “Don’t put the cart before the horse!” The relevance of this saying to research is that you must follow a sequence of steps to be systematic as required by scientific inquiry. You do not decide on measurement before you have decided on the purpose of your study.
The major goal of this chapter is to help you understand the various ways in which you can characterize research so that you can heighten your awareness of the myriad concepts you need to understand in order to know where you are in a given type of research and what your essential tasks and issues are. As a social worker, for example, you need to understand the essential tasks in the evaluation of client outcome. Evaluation of client outcome is one of the four types of research when it is organized by purpose.
The basic competencies you will achieve from this chapter are as follows:
You will better understand how to classify research by purpose, with a focus on the differences and similarities between research that is descriptive, explanatory, evaluative, or exploratory.
You will know the differences between a program evaluation and an evaluation of an intervention and what is entailed in each.
You will be able to distinguish between qualitative and quantitative types of measurement.
You will be able to portray the research process from the articulation of the research question to the drawing of conclusions from your study.
The first of the above themes is the
