Qualitative Research in Social Work Final Exam
Course Introduction
Qualitative Research in Social Work introduces students to the principles and methods of qualitative inquiry within the context of social work practice and scholarship. The course covers topics such as designing qualitative studies, data collection strategies including interviews, observations, and focus groups ethical considerations, and techniques for data analysis and interpretation. Emphasis is placed on understanding client perspectives, exploring complex social phenomena, and using qualitative findings to inform evidence-based practice, advocacy, and policy development. By engaging in hands-on projects and critical reflection, students will develop skills to rigorously conduct and evaluate qualitative research relevant to diverse social work settings.
Recommended Textbook Research Methods for Social Work 8th Edition by Allen Rubin
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Chapter 1: Why Study Research
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Q1) Which of the following is/are an aim of social work research?
A) To produce knowledge for knowledge's sake.
B) To provide practical knowledge to guide social work practice.
C) To provide information needed to alleviate human suffering and promote social welfare
D) all of the above
E)Both b and c are true
Answer: A
Q2) Refusing to examine research on the services we deliver has no bearing on how professionally ethical we are.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q3) Almost all reviews of research on social work practice effectiveness have agreed that it is very effective.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
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Chapter 2: Evidence-Based Practice
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Q1) Which of the following statements is/are true about evidence-based practice?
A) The studies at the top of the research hierarchy usually involve clients who are very much like those typically encountered in everyday social work practice.
B) Its proponents agree with its critics that it denigrates professional expertise and ignores client values and preferences.
C) Real-world obstacles often prevent implementing it thoroughly in everyday social work practice.
D) All of the above are true.
E) None of the above is true.
Answer: C
Q2) The evidence-based practice model encourages practitioners to integrate scientific evidence with their practice expertise.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
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Chapter 3: Philosophy and Theory in Social Work Research
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Q1) If the job turnover rate among child welfare workers with social work degrees is 10 percent per year,while the turnover rate among their counterparts without social work degrees is 50 percent per year,then a relationship exists between type of degree and turnover rate.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q2) Which of the following statements is are true about the hypothesis: Child welfare workers with social work degrees have a are more effective in preventing child maltreatment than are child welfare workers without a social work degree?
A) Type of degree is the dependent variable.
B) Child maltreatment is the independent variable.
C) Social workers is a variable.
D) All of the above are true.
E)None of the above is true.
Answer: E
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Chapter 4: Comparing Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed
Methods of Inquiry
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Q1) Research procedures are more likely to be specified in advance in qualitative studies than in quantitative studies.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Describe the contrasting emphases of quantitative and qualitative studies.
Q3) Designing the study is the first phase of the research process in mixed-methods studies.
A)True
B)False
Q4) If researchers wanted to find the average age of all licensed social workers in a country,they would undertake:
A) a qualitative study.
B) a quantitative study
C) a mixed-methods study.
D)None of the above.
Q5) Which of the following is/are an aim of quantitative studies?
A) Deeper understanding.
B) Precision.
C) Discovery.
D)All of the above.
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Chapter 5: The Ethics and Politics of Social Work Research
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Q1) If researchers find that a new intervention is not effective,it is ethically acceptable to refrain from reporting the findings.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Ethical obligations to one's colleagues in the scientific community
A) require that technical shortcomings and failures of the study be revealed.
B) allow the researcher to determine whether or not to report negative findings.
C) Encourage the researcher to always describe the findings as the product of a carefully preplanned analytical strategy.
D) a and b only are correct.
E) b and c only are correct.
Q3) The quality of an ethically controversial study's research design is never considered relevant to whether that study can be justified.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Science is never influenced by political matters.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Illustrate how ethics and politics affect social work research.
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Chapter 6: Culturally Competent Research
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Q1) Culturally competent research involves
A) being well read in the culture of concern before beginning any investigation in it.
B) being ethnocentric.
C) making broad generalizations about the culture as a whole.
D) all of the above.
Q2) Describe the steps you would take to maximize the recruitment and retention of recently immigrated substance abusing Mexican American youths and their parents in a longitudinal evaluation of the effectiveness of a family-oriented substance program in Laredo a U.S.city located on the Texas-Mexico border.
Q3) It is not always easy to define who qualifies as a member of a specific ethnic minority group.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Describe the steps you would take early on in designing to maximize the cultural competence of your research on a social problem among a Native American tribe living on a reservation.
Q5) Explain the difference between linguistic,conceptual and metric equivalence.
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Chapter 7: Problem Formulation
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Q1) Cohort studies examine how specific subpopulations change over time,but the specific set of people observed will be different at different chronological points.
A)True B)False
Q2) Dr.Jordan chronicles people's attitudes toward an upcoming poverty program.Jordan is doing explanatory research.
A)True B)False
Q3) Reductionism refers to an overly strict limitation on the kinds of concepts and variables to be considered as caused.
A)True B)False
Q4) Explain why it is usually important to review the literature early in the problem formulation phase of research.
Q5) Research designs can be descriptive,explanatory,or exploratory,but never more than one.
A)True B)False
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Chapter 8: Conceptualization in Quantitative and Qualitative Inquiry
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Q1) Some operational definitions of a particular variable can be more valid than other operational definitions of the same variable.
A)True
B)False
Q2) The following is an example of a good hypothesis: "Social work practitioners who work in mental health agencies do not care adequately for the chronically mentally ill."
A)True
B)False
Q3) A study tests the hypothesis that the provision of social work intervention will reduce the school dropout rate.Iinds that social work intervention reduces the dropout rate only of children whose families are experiencing high levels of family stress.In this study,what type of variable is "level of family stress"?
A) independent variable.
B) dependent variable.
C) moderating variable.
D) It could be an independent or dependent variable; it depends on whether it is stated first or second in the hypothesis.
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Chapter 9: Measurement
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Q1) When someone who has sexually abused a child consistently denies having done so,it is an example of
A) systematic measurement error.
B) random measurement error.
C) unreliable data.
D) face error
Q2) Concurrent validity is one form of criterion-related validity.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Reliability involves
A) whether a particular technique applied repeatedly to the same object would yield the same results each time.
B) ensuring accuracy.
C) ensuring that your measure measures what you think it should measure.
D) ensuring precision,
Q4) If a measure is valid,it must also be reliable.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Describe how qualitative studies attempt to deal with reliability and validity.
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Chapter 10: Constructing Measurement Instruments
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Q1) Choose a topic not discussed in the book or in class and devise a scale using one of the following methods:a.Likert-type scaleb.Semantic differential scale
Be sure to discuss all the steps you would go through in constructing your scale.
Q2) Identify measurement principles that always apply to quantitative and qualitative approaches to asking people questions.Then identify differences between the two approaches in the style of asking questions.
Q3) The phrasing used in closed-ended questions should allow respondents to attach their own meanings and interpretations to the question.
A)True
B)False
Q4) The following exemplifies a proper way to ask a question: "Are you satisfied with this textbook and with your research instructor's teaching style?"
A)True
B)False
Q5) Identify acceptable options for handling missing data in an index or scale.
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Chapter 11: Causal Inference and Experimental Designs
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Q1) What differentiates experimental from pre-experimental designs? Give an illustration of a situation in which an experimental design would be preferred and one in which a pre-experimental design would be preferred.
Q2) Studies that assign subjects to intervention groups on the basis of their extreme scores are vulnerable to regression toward the mean.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Briefly describe how a study would be particularly vulnerable to the threat of statistical regression.
Q4) Attrition effects are automatically controlled when participants are assigned randomly to experimental and control groups.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Whenever two variables are correlated,we may assume that one is the cause of the other.
A)True
B)False
Q6) Explain what is meant by internal and external validity.
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Chapter 12: Quasi-Experimental Designs
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Q1) Identify and explain four practical pitfalls commonly encountered when carrying out experiments and quasi-experiments in social agencies.
Q2) Qualitative methods offer a number of techniques that on-site research staff members can use in attempting to observe research implementation pitfalls.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Videotaping treatment sessions should be used only as a last resort when assessing intervention fidelity.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Quasi-experimental designs are often used instead of experimental designs because
A) agency constraints often make experiments infeasible.
B) they have more internal validity than experiments
C) quasi-experiments randomly assign participants to groups.
D) they use random assignment.
Q5) Describe and explain the logical arrangements used in nonequivalent comparison groups designs,simple time-series designs,and multiple time-series designs.
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Chapter 13: Single-Case Evaluation Designs
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Q1) Most social work target problems or goals cannot be defined in operational terms.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Explain what is accomplished by replicating single-case designs.One part of your answer should address internal validity; another part should address external validity.
Q3) Self-monitoring is an example of obtrusive observation.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Suppose you wish to measure progress in increasing the amount of time a child in institutional care spends studying as an indicator of the effectiveness of your group work intervention.Which of the following approaches most likely would be least vulnerable to reactivity problems?
A) Have the child record the amount of time and report back to you.
B) Have cottage parents run spot checks in the cottage at different intervals.
C) Interview the child each day about the time spent studying the previous day.
D) Show up at the cottage and observe the child yourself for one hour during the same period each day.
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Chapter 14: Program Evaluation
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Q1) External evaluators,as compared to In-house evaluators,are likely to:
A) have less access to program information and personnel.
B) have more knowledge about program processes.
C) have less independence from agency administrators.
D)experience no pressure whatsoever from stakeholders regarding desired results.
Q2) Which of the following statements is true about logic models?
A) They portray program components graphically.
B) They are never theory-based.
C) Funding sources almost never require them as part of grant applications.
D) They exclude attention to program outcomes.
Q3) Agency administrators and practitioners are likely to encourage maximum scientific rigor in evaluations of program outcome,irrespective of the funding implications.
A)True
B)False
Q4) In order to maximize scientific objectivity,program evaluators should avoid involving stakeholders in planning an evaluation.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Describe the impact managed care has had on program evaluation.
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Chapter 15: Sampling
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Q1) Multi-stage cluster sampling is the best sampling procedure for small populations that are geographically close to one another.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Selecting a sample that the researcher believes will yield the most comprehensive understanding of a subject based on the researcher's knowledge of the population is employing purposive or judgmental sampling.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Which of the following statements is true about probability samples?
A) They avoid conscious and unconscious sampling bias.
B) They do NOT permit the estimation of the accuracy or representativeness of the sample.
C) They are perfectly representative of the population from which they are drawn.
D) They are more risky than non-probability samples.
E) a and b only are correct.
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Chapter 16: Survey Research
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Q1) Probes are used more frequently in open-ended questions than in closed-ended ones.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Monitoring questionnaire returns
A) provides a clue about when to launch a follow-up mailing.
B) does NOT enable you to estimate sampling bias.
C) should begin two to three months after the questionnaires are mailed.
D) should be used only when surveys are NOT anonymous.
Q3) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online surveys.
Q4) Surveys are excellent devices to measure social action.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Which of the following statements is true about online surveys?
A) A main disadvantage pertains to the likelihood of underrepresentation of the poor and the elderly.
B) They are more costly and time consuming for the researcher than mailed surveys.
C) They should never be mixed with postal surveys.
D) Avoid setting a deadline for participation.
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Chapter 17: Analyzing Existing Data: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
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Q1) In comparison to coding the manifest content of communication,coding the latent content
A) has a disadvantage in terms of validity.
B) has an advantage in terms of reliability.
C) is better designed for tapping the underlying meaning of communications.
D) has an advantage in terms of specificity.
Q2) Unobtrusive measures reduce the impact of the data collection on the phenomena being studied.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Manifest coding has the advantage of tapping underlying meanings,while reliability is an advantage of latent coding.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Unobtrusive measures can reduce the problem of A) the researcher's impact on the phenomenon being studied.
B) invalid operationalization of concepts.
C) unreliable measurements.
D) invalid measurement.
E) none of the above.
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Chapter 18: Qualitative Research: General Principles
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Q1) The qualitative researcher
A) usually approaches the task with precisely defined hypotheses to be tested.
B) typically studies only those processes that can be predicted in advance.
C) makes initial observations, develops tentative conclusions that suggesurther observation, and revises the conclusions.
D) never attempts to increase objectivity
E) all of the above.
Q2) Which of the following is a weakness of qualitative research?
A) It measures phenomena too superficially.
B) It is inflexible.
C) It is weak on generalizability.
D) It cannot be used to study formal organiztions.
Q3) Among the advantages of qualitative research is that it
A) yields precise descriptive statements about a large population.
B) involves the uniform application of precise operational definitions.
C) allows for the modification of research design.
D) produces definitive conclusions.
E) is an extremely reliable technique.
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Chapter 19: Qualitative Research: Specific Methods
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Q1) Explain what is meant by reflexivity and why it is a key part of qualitative research.
Q2) An example of the participant-as-observer includes
A) joining a sorority or fraternity to study initiation rituals without revealing your identity as a researcher.
B) telling people you're a spy to find out how they react.
C) telling a motorcycle gang that you are a researcher and would like to ride with them for a year to understand their interaction patterns.
D) being a newspaper reporter who interviews union workers to learn about recent strike efforts.
Q3) Which of the following is good advice about recording observations in the field?
A) Don't trust your memory any more than you have to.
B) You must always constantly take notes while you are observing.
C) Make at least six copies of your notes.
D) Advance preparation on recording anticipated observations will hinder recording unanticipated observations.
Q4) How does qualitative interviewing differ from quantitative survey interviewing?
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Chapter 20: Qualitative Data Analysis
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Q1) Define what is meant by variable-oriented analysis and what is meant by case-oriented analysis.Give an example of a research project in which you would use variable-oriented analysis and one where you would use case-oriented analysis.
Q2) Code notes
A)cover reflections about the dimensions of concepts.
B)cover relationships among concepts.
C)identify the code labels and their meanings.
D)discuss the deeper meanings of concepts.
Q3) Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding semiotic analysis?
A)There is no meaning inherent in any sign.
B)Language is the only sign system of interest to those doing semiotic analysis.
C)Meanings reside in minds.
D)Semiotics is concerned with our agreements about meanings.
Q4) Which of the following statements is TRUE about the grounded theory method?
A) It is similar to case-oriented analysis.
B) It is similar to variable-oriented analysis.
C) It is similar to cross-case analysis.
D) Depending upon the topic of study it could be similar to either a case-oriented or variable-oriented analysis.
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Chapter 21: Quantitative Data Analysis
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Q1) Interpret the following frequency distribution portraying client responses to the question,"How satisfied are you with the services you've received from this agency?"
\(\begin{array}{lc}
\text { Satisfaction Level } & \text { f } \\
\text { Very satisfied } & 60 \\
\text { Moderately satisfied } & 50 \\
\text { Slightly satisfied } & 40 \\
\text { Slightly dissatisfied } & 40 \\
\text { Moderately dissatisfied } & 50 \\
\text { Very dissatisfied } & 60 \\
\text { No Answer } & 20
\end{array}\)
Q2) A codebook is a guide for locating variables and interpreting entries in one's data file.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Using a hypothetical example,illustrate how blending descriptive statistics with a qualitative inquiry can enhance the value of the qualitative inquiry as well as the interpretation of the descriptive statistics.
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Chapter 22: Inferential Data Analysis
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Q1) A relationship with a correlation of .50
A) has more substantive significance than any other relationship with a lower correlation.
B) shows that 50% of the variation in the dependent variable is explained.
C) is stronger than any relationship with a correlation of -.50.
D) is more likely to be statistically significant than any relationship with a lower correlation.
E)might not be substantively significant
Q2) Explain Type I and Type 11 errors,when they are risked,and what can be done to reduce their risks.
Q3) A researcher conducts a test of statistical significance and finds a probability of less than .05.The researcher should NOT conclude that
A)it is improbable that the observed relationship could have resulted from sampling error alone.
B)the null hypothesis was rejected.
C)there is a statistically significant relationship at the .05 level.
D)the results have important implications for social work.
Q4) Explain the difference between statistical significance,relationship strength,and substantive significance.
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Chapter 23: Inferential Data Analysis
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Q1) Describe the controversy regarding statistical significance testing with population data.
Q2) Chi-square should be used to test the significance of relationships between the ratio level variables.
A)True
B)False
Q3) If your probability of a Type Il error is .30,then your statistical power is:
A).30
B).05
C).70
D).80
Q4) Nonparametric tests are intended for use when some assumptions of parametric tests cannot be met.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Multiple regression analysis shows the overall correlation between each of a set of independent variables and an interval- or ratio-level dependent variable.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 24: Writing Research Proposals and Reports
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Q1) Reports of qualitative research studies tend to be shorter than reports of quantitative studies.
A)True
B)False
Q2) The presentation of data analyses in research reports should provide a maximum of detail without being cluttered.
A)True
B)False
Q3) It is NOT plagiarism to present another's ideas as your own, provided that you use totally different words to express those ideas.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Which of the following is NOT plagiarism?
A) Using another writer's exact words without using quotation marks.
B) Taking a passage of eight or more words without a citation.
C) Editing another's words and presenting them as your own.
D) Paraphrasing another's words and presenting them as your own.
E)All of these constitute plagiarism.
Q5) Describe how qualitative research reports often differ from quantitative ones.
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