Social Work Research Practice Questions
Course Introduction
Social Work Research introduces students to the fundamental principles and methods of scientific inquiry as applied to social work practice. The course covers the design, implementation, and evaluation of research with an emphasis on ethical considerations, cultural competence, and the use of evidence to inform practice. Students learn how to formulate research questions, select appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies, collect and analyze data, and interpret findings relevant to diverse individuals, groups, and communities. By the end of the course, students will understand the importance of research in advancing the field of social work and be prepared to critically appraise studies and contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.
Recommended Textbook
Empowerment Series Research Methods for Social Work 9th Edition by Allen Rubin
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Chapter 1: Why Study Research
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Sample Questions
Q1) Researchers employing the scientific method should be open to the pursuit of evidence that disconfirms their conclusions.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q2) Early reviews of research on social work practice effectiveness showed that A) there were doubts about the effectiveness of social work practice.
B) all reviewers were equally pessimistic about social work practice effectiveness.
C) we can assume that if social workers are well trained, then they will be effective
D) social work practice consists of interventions that have been well tested.
E) Both a and b are true
Answer: A
Q3) Some research studies get published despite having violated some of key methodological principles..
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
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Chapter 2: Evidence-Based Practice
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Q1) Some evidence-based practice questions do not specify a particular intervention in advance of the search for evidence.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q2) An evidence-based practice question should A) incorporate client characteristics.
B) always inquire about only one specific intervention.
C) never be altered in light of the evidence emerging in one's literature search.
D) always specify at least two alternative interventions in advance.
Answer: A
Q3) The top-down approach to searching for evidence has the advantage of feasibility but can be risky in light of the fallibility and possible bias of experts.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
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Chapter 3: Factors Influencing the Research Process
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Sample Questions
Q1) "African American" is a variable that has the attribute of "ethnicity."
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q2) The nomothetic model is inevitably probabilistic in its approach to causation. s possible.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q3) Which of the following best illustrates the idiographic model?
A) A study of one client, seeking to understand the causes of the client's problems and what is effective in helping the client.
B) A study of 200 clients, seeking to generalize about whether ethnicity is related to premature termination of services.
C) Quantitative studies using graphs of population trends. ion of services.
D) Studies that reject the idea of determinism. ion of services.
Answer: A
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Comparing Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed
Methods of Inquiry
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Q1) Which of the following is/are an aim of quantitative studies?
A) Deeper understanding.
B) Precision.
C) Discovery.
D) All of the above.
Q2) 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.
Q3) Which of the following designs signifies a mixed-methods study that emphasizes qualitative methods but with quantitative methods being implemented first?
A) QUALITATIVE quantitative.
B) quantitative QUALITATIVE.
C) QUANTITATIVE QUALITATIVE.
D) quantitative qualitative.
Q4) Identify and briefly describe three advanced mixed-methods designs.
Q5) Describe the contrasting emphases of quantitative and qualitative studies.
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Chapter 5: The Ethics and Politics of Social Work Research
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Q1) Which of the following statements is/are true about IRB panelists or support staff?
A) Most IRB staff members try to help investigators obtain timely approval for their projects.
B) Some panelists can occasionally be overzealous and insist on unreasonable requirements for investigators to meet.
C) They might delay approval of a research project until the investigator responds to certain concerns.
D) All of the above are true.
Q2) Which of the following statements is/are true about IRB procedures or requirements?
A) All IRBs use the same amounts of required forms.
B) All research must undergo a full review; there are no exemptions for expedited reviews.
C) All IRBs are expected to require education on the protection of human research participants for each research assistant in studies involving human subjects.
D) All of the above are true.
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Chapter 6: Culturally Competent Research
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Q1) A good way to ensure that your data analysis is culturally competent is to combine all minority groups together as one category to compare to the majority group in the data analysis.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Which of the following statements is/are true about whether research is culturally competent?
A) It does NOT influence how statistical findings are interpreted
B) If Not culturally competent, it risks having a harmful effect on the minority community.
C) It is NOT related to whether childcare is provided to research participants.
D) It has NO bearing on the selection of sampling procedures.
Q3) No ethnic minority group is homogeneous.
A)True
B)False
Q4) 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.
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Page 8
Chapter 7: Problem Formulation
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Q1) Which of the following statements is/are TRUE about selecting a research question?
A) The selection should be based exclusively on the researcher's personal curiosity.
B) The question should pass the "so what" test.
C) Reading the research literature on the topic should be put off until after the research question is finalized.
D) The question must test a theory.
Q2) Which of the following statements is TRUE about social work research as compared to social scientific research in disciplines like sociology and psychology?
A) It is more likely to deal with practical problems and decisions confronting social welfare agencies.
B) It is less likely to be applied.
C) It is more likely to emphasize theory.
D) Theory plays no role in social work research
Q3) Discuss the exploratory, descriptive and explanatory purposes for doing research. Describe a study that illustrates each purpose.
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Chapter 8: Conceptualization in Quantitative and Qualitative Inquiry
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Q1) Which of the following statements is true about choosing an existing scale as an operational definition of self-esteem for children to complete before and after an intervention?
A) The longer the scale, the better.
B) A scale that has been shown to be reliable and valid for adults would be a good choice.
C) The scale should be sensitive to change over time.
D) The scale exemplifies a direct observable.
Q2) It is possible to have several indicators of one concept.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Illustrate how a child's level of behavioral problems could be operationally defined in three different ways using three different sources of data.
Q4) Examining police records of the number of arrests for domestic violence is an example of the use of self-report as a source of data for an operational definition.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 9: Measurement
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Sample
Questions
Q1) Professor Smith gave an exam on Monday. On Wednesday Smith gave the same class the same exam. Professor Smith was clearly interested in assessing the exam's
A) reliability.
B) validity.
C) face validity.
D) conceptualization.
E) precision.
Q2) The tendency of people to answer questions through a filter that will convey a favorable impression is called
A) the acquiescent response set.
B) social desirability bias.
C) cultural bias.
D) random error.
Q3) Describe how qualitative studies attempt to deal with reliability and validity.
Q4) Reliability and validity are handled precisely in the same ways in qualitative inquiry as they are in quantitative inquiry.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 10: Constructing Measurement Instruments
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Sample Questions
Q1) Asking respondents if they have any children before asking them about the ages of their children is an example of:
A) a contingency question.
B) a double-barreled question.
C) a biased question.
D) a negative item.
Q2) There are several formats for contingency questions. Give illustrations of three different formats, using examples not presented in the text. How does the format for contingency questions differ from the format used for matrix questions? Give an illustration of the latter to differentiate it from the former.
Q3) 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
Q4) The result of combining several indicators of a variable is a composite measurement of the variable.
A)True
B)False
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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) Random assignment to experimental and control groups controls for research reactivity.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Explain what is meant by internal and external validity.
Q4) The classical experiment with random assignment of participants controls for measurement bias.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Discuss how attrition can affect the validity of an experiment and describe steps to minimize attrition.
Q6) The effectiveness of randomization in experimentation is affected by the number of participants involved.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 12: Quasi-Experimental Designs
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Sample Questions
Q1) Nonequivalent comparison groups designs can be strengthened by:
A) using multiple pretests or switching replications.
B) using smaller sample sizes.
C) using no pretests
D) using replication without switching.
Q2) When we switch replications in a non-equivalent comparison group design, we:
A) administer the treatment to the control group before posttesting.
B) can determine whether the difference between the groups at the first posttest may be attributed to the lack of comparability between the two groups.
C) decrease the chances of determining whether the difference between the groups at the first posttest may be attributed to a selection bias.
D) decrease the internal validity of the design.
Q3) It is safe to assume that agency staff members who initially approve of an experiment will remain in close compliance with its research protocol throughout the study.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of cross-sectional studies and the case control design.
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Chapter 13: Single-Case Evaluation Designs
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Q1) Discuss why it is best to have as many measurement points as possible in a single-case design.
Q2) Suppose you instruct a couple to have a typical conversation while you observe them in your office. This would be an example of
A) unobtrusive observation.
B) research reactivity.
C) obtrusive observation.
D) interval recording.
Q3) Which of the following approaches would be least obtrusive in regard to measuring the impact of the above group work intervention on school performance?
A) Obtain grade, attendance, and conduct data from school records.
B) Observe the student's in-class behavior yourself.
C) With the client's permission, obtain videotapes of the child's in-class behavior.
D) Interview the child.
Q4) Explain how B or B+ designs can have value in the evidence-based practice process despite lacking an adequate baseline phase.
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Chapter 14: Program Evaluation
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Sample Questions
Q1) Cost-benefit techniques enable evaluators to put a true dollar value on all possible program costs and benefits, without respect to vested interests and value judgments.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Agency administrators who ask in-house program evaluators to assess their program's effectiveness are likely to A) promote an atmosphere in which the paramount priority is on free, scientific inquiry. B) give the evaluator complete autonomy in designing the research and interpreting its findings.
C) desire a study that is methodologically as rigorous as possible. D) imply that they expect the results of the evaluation to be positive.
Q3) Focus groups are an example of a qualitative approach to needs assessment. A)True B)False
Q4) Discuss and provide an example of the value of qualitative approaches to program evaluation.
Q5) Describe the impact managed care has had on program evaluation.
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Chapter 15: Sampling
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is the basic logic of probability sampling? How do such concepts as homogeneity, heterogeneity, sampling bias, representativeness, and probability of selection fit into this logic?
Q2) Multistage cluster sampling requires a complete listing of all the elements in a population.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Multistage cluster sampling is the best sampling procedure for small populations that are geographically close to one another.
A)True
B)False
Q4) You want to examine the relationship between family size and family cohesion. You use as your sample all the students in this research methods class. What kind of sampling design are you using?
A) simple random sampling.
B) quota sampling.
C) cluster sampling.
D) stratified sampling.
E) available sampling.
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Chapter 16: Survey Research
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Q1) A response rate of at least 50 percent guarantees the absence of any response bias.
A)True
B)False
Q2) The response rates to online surveys need to exceed 60 percent if the findings are to have any value.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online surveys.
Q4) When follow-ups are planned with mail surveys,
A) the anonymity of respondents can no longer be guaranteed.
B) more thoughtful answers are usually provided by those who wait until the follow-up to respond.
C) response rates typically increase.
D) response bias can no longer be estimated.
Q5) The primary function of the probe is to
A) loosen up the respondent.
B) get the correct answer from the respondent.
C) get the respondent to answer a question more fully.
D) indicate an understanding and interest in the respondent.
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Chapter 17: Analyzing Existing Data: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
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Sample Questions
Q1) Standard probability sampling techniques should NOT be used in content analysis. A)True
B)False
Q2) Describe a study for which the secondary analysis of existing data is the appropriate research method. What source would you use? What problems might you encounter and how would you resolve them?
Q3) Which of the following statements is true about utilizing official records for data?
A) The reliability of the data is guaranteed.
B) The validity of the data is guaranteed.
C) The accuracy of the data is guaranteed.
D) Neither the reliability, validity or accuracy of the data is guaranteed.
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) Prolonged engagement is discouraged in qualitative research be4cause it increases the risk of reactivity and respondent bias.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Case studies use qualitative sources of evidence, only, never quantitative sources.
A)True
B)False
Q3) A researcher wanted to learn about factors that influence parents to participate or not participate in the substance abuse treatment for their adolescent children. She decided to interview the parents who refused to participate and compare their responses with the parents who participated the most. What type of sampling did she use?
A) snowball sampling.
B) systematic sampling.
C) deviant cases sampling.
D) accidental sampling.
E) quota sampling.
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Chapter 19: Qualitative Research: Specific Methods
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Q1) A risk with the complete participant role risks is that the researchers might have an effect on what they are observing.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Qualitative researchers should wait to record observations until enough time has passed to put the events in a proper perspective.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Using the life-history method, researchers ask open-ended questions to discover how participants in a study understand the significant events and meanings in their own lives.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Explain what is meant by reflexivity and why it is a key part of qualitative research.
Q5) Field notes should record only what you "know happened," NOT what you "think" has happened.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 20: Qualitative Data Analysis
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Q1) Define what is meant by qualitative analysis and what is meant by quantitative analysis. What are the differences between the two forms of analysis? Are there similarities between the two? If so, describe some of the similarities. If no, why not?
Q2) 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.
Q3) Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A) Concept mapping is appropriate for qualitative analysis only.
B) Concept mapping can be used for either quantitative or qualitative analysis.
C) Concept mapping is appropriate for quantitative analysis only.
D) Computers cannot be used for qualitative research.
Q4) Qualitative data processing is both a science and an art.
A)True B)False
Q5) It is as important to identify the standardized unit for coding in qualitative analysis as it is in quantitative analysis.
A)True B)False
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Chapter 21: Descriptive Data Analysis
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Sample Questions
Q1) A research article reports that the number of group treatment sessions attended by a sample was normally distributed, with a mean of 20 and a standard deviation of 6. Which of the following statements is/are true about the sample?
A) Over 75% attended at least 20 sessions.
B) Over one-third attended more than 26 sessions.
C) Slightly more than 15 % attended less than 14 sessions.
D) Slightly more than 15 % attended less than 8 sessions.
Q2) Grouped data are created through the combination of attributes of a variable. A)True
B)False
Q3) What is the purpose of data cleaning? How is it done?
Q4) If the standard deviation equals 0, we may conclude
A) that there is no dispersion in the data.
B) that the mean is a poor measure of the average.
C) that the data have a great deal of dispersion.
D) The mode is 0.
Q5) Why do percentages allow us to compare two or more frequency distributions? Give examples.
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Chapter 22: Inferential Data Analysis
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Sample Questions
Q1) When using inferential statistics, we must risk either a Type I error or a Type II error, we cannot avoid risking both.
A)True
B)False
Q2) The selection of the significance level
A) is fixed at .05 for social science research.
B) depends on the size of the population.
C) is arbitrary, although .05 is frequently used.
D) must be decided after finishing the analysis.
Q3) Explain Type I and Type 11 errors, when they are risked, and what can be done to reduce their risks.
Q4) In an evaluation of an intervention that seeks to reduce depression scores among the frail elderly, the mean of the experimental group is 30, the mean of the control group is 60, and the standard deviation is 10. Cohen's d effect size is
A) 3
B) minus 3
C) 30
D) 10
Q5) Explain what is meant by "chance as a rival hypothesis.
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Chapter 23: Writing Research Proposals and Reports
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Q1) Very long titles for research reports are better than short titles, because they convey more information about the methods and findings of the report
A)True
B)False
Q2) 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.
Q3) Readers of a research report need to be provided with sufficient detail to enable them to know precisely what was done so they can replicate the study.
A)True
B)False
Q4) A good abstract does NOT include a statement about:
A) the purpose of the research.
B) the findings of each table and graph.
C) the major findings.
D) the methods used.
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