Research in Social Work

Part I. Social Work and Research 1. Understanding the World 2. The Contribution of the Scientific Approach to Social Work Part II. Generation of Inquiry Theory 1. Developing a Problem for Research 2. Considerations for a Useful Research Problem 3. Current Knowledge 4. Formulating Hypotheses and Questions 5. Explication of the Problem Part III. The Social Context of Research 1. The Profession of Social Work 2. Theory as Framework for Research 3. The Site of the Research 4. The Social and Political Context 5. Protection of Human Subjects Part IV. Dimensions of Research Design 1. The Investigator's Control Over the Phenomena Studied 2. Knowledge-Building Purposes and Functions 3. Methodological Orientation 4. Establishing Causality 5. Threats to Internal Validity Part V. Naturalistic Designs 1. Designs with Exploratory-Descriptive Functions 2. Designs with Explanatory Functions Part VI. Single-System Experiments 1. The Case Study 2. The Basic Time Series (AeMDRVOABAeMDNMO) Design 3. Withdrawal Reversal Designs 4. The Multiple Baseline Design 5. Generalization (External Validity) Part VII. Group Experiments 1. Uncontrolled Single Group Experiment 2. Strengthening the Design 3. Equivalent Group Designs 4. Nonequivalent Group Designs 5. The Experimental Intervention 6. Generalization from Group Experiments 7. Laboratory Experiments: Analog Studies of Intervention Effects Part VIII. Sampling 1. The Nature and Purposes of Sampling 2. Samples and the Research Question 3. Basic Types of Samples 4. Generalization from Probability Samples 5. Size of Sample Part IX. Measurement 1. Definition of Measurement 2. Role of Measurement 3. Levels of Measurement 4. Criteria for Evaluating Measurement Procedures Part X. Data Collection 1. Selecting a Data Collection Method 2. Bias in Data Collection Methods 3. Self-Report Methods 4. Observation 5. Available Data Part XI. Quantitative Data Analysis 1. Quantitative Data 2. Categorization and Coding 3. Univariate Analysis 4. Ivariate Analysis 5. Inferential Statistics 6. Multivariate Analysis 7. Analysis of Time Series Data 8. Meta-Analysis Part XII. Qualitative Research 1. Modes of Qualitative Research 2. The Methods of Qualitative Research Part XIII. Assessment 1. Research Procedures in Assessment for Generalist Practice Part XIV. Evaluating Outcome at Different Levels of Practice 1. Program Levels and Evaluation Designs 2. Outcome Criteria 3. From Criteria to Data 4. Sources and Types of Data 5. Variations in Outcome Measures Part XV. Study of Intervention Characteristics 1. Data from Practitioners'Reports 2. Data from Clients 3. Direct and Electronic Observation 4. Change Process Research 5. Intervention Analogs Part XVI. Intervention Design and Development 1.The Design and Development Paradigm (D&D) Appendix 1. The Library Research Process: Mary Jane Brustman Appendix 2. Guidelines for Preparing a Research Report