Research Methods for Social Workers
4th Edition
Published on 16. May 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-0-205-33233-5 (ISBN)
Description
This research methods text for social work is accessible to students in level and writing style, and its paperback format makes it less expensive than most texts on the market.
The authors are social work instructors who understand the realities of social work practice and have included many social work practice examples. The text is ideal for a one-semester or quarter research methods course for undergraduate or graduate students with little or no prior knowledge of research.
In response to reviewers and students, the fourth edition infuses content in three major areas. First, qualitative research methods are discussed and appropriate examples are offered throughout the book, not just in a single chapter. Secondly, research to evaluate practice, while still the focus of the last two chapters, is discussed alongside research for building a professional knowledge base at many points throughout the text. Third, discussion of ethical issues appears in many other places besides Chapter 2. It receives special emphasis in the discussions of program evaluations and single system research.
The authors are social work instructors who understand the realities of social work practice and have included many social work practice examples. The text is ideal for a one-semester or quarter research methods course for undergraduate or graduate students with little or no prior knowledge of research.
In response to reviewers and students, the fourth edition infuses content in three major areas. First, qualitative research methods are discussed and appropriate examples are offered throughout the book, not just in a single chapter. Secondly, research to evaluate practice, while still the focus of the last two chapters, is discussed alongside research for building a professional knowledge base at many points throughout the text. Third, discussion of ethical issues appears in many other places besides Chapter 2. It receives special emphasis in the discussions of program evaluations and single system research.
More details
Edition
4th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 178 mm
Weight
492 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-205-33233-5 (9780205332335)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Bonnie L. Yegidis | Robert W. Weinbach | Barbara Morrison-Rodgriguez
Research Methods for Social Workers
Book
07/1998
3rd Edition
Pearson
€62.08
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Content
Most chapters conclude with "Summary" and "References." I. KNOWLEDGE BUILDING FOR SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE.
1. How Do We Get Our Knowledge?
Historical Origins of Current Attitudes.
Types of Knowledge.
Where Do We Get Our "Knowledge"?
Characteristics of the Scientific Alternative.
Quantitative and Qualitative Research.
The Traditional Scientific Research Process.
The Environment for Scientific Social Work Research.
2. Ethical Issues in Social Work Research.
Treatment of Research Participants.
Today's Standards for Treatment of Participants.
Other Ethical Obligations of Researchers.
II. BEGINNING THE RESEARCH PROCESS.
3. Research Problems and Questions.
Why We Begin with Research Problems.
Setting Problem Priorities.
Identifying the Real Problem.
Selecting Research Questions.
4. Using Existing Knowledge.
What Is the Review of Literature?
Purpose of the Review of Literature.
Potential Sources of "Literature."
Organizing the Literature Review.
Writing the Report of a Review of Literature.
5. Focused Research Questions and Hypotheses.
Focused Research Questions.
Hypotheses.
III. RESEARCH DESIGN ISSUES.
6. Introduction to Research Design.
What Is a Research Design?
The Purpose of Research Designs.
Broad Research Typologies.
The Knowledge Building Continuum.
Internal Validity and External Validity.
What is the "Best" Research Design?
Characteristics of Good Designs.
7. Qualitative Research Methods.
Interviewing in Qualitative Research.
Research that Relies on Qualitative Methods.
Criteria for Evaluating Qualitative Designs.
Feminist Research.
Using Qualitative Methods to Evaluate Practice Effectiveness.
8. Quantitative Research Methods.
Research That Uses Secondary Data Analysis.
Research That Collects and Analyses Original Data.
Using Quantitative Methods to Evaluate Practice Effectiveness.
9. Case Sampling.
Sampling Terminology.
Probability Sampling.
Nonprobability Sampling.
Selecting a Good Sample.
Sampling Distributions and Sampling Error.
10. Measurement Concepts and Issues.
Preparation for Measurement.
Levels of Measurement.
Criteria for Good Measurement.
Cultural Issues in Measurement of Variables.
11. Use of Data Collection Instruments.
Fixed-Alternative and Open-Ended Items.
Indexes and Scales.
When Are Existing Instruments Appropriate for Use?
Use of Revised Instruments.
Constructing New Instruments.
Use of Self Administered Instruments.
12. Analyzing Data and Disseminating Findings.
The Data in Perspective.
Preparing for Statistical Analysis of Data.
Statistical Analysis of Research Data: An Overview.
Interpreting and Reporting the Results of Statistical Analysis.
Disseminating Research Knowledge.
IV. EVALUATION RESEARCH.
13. Evaluating Programs.
What Is Program Evaluation?
What is the Appropriate Design for a Program Evaluation?
Other Types of Evaluation Research.
Who Should Conduct Evaluative Research?
The Political Context of Program Evaluation.
Ethical Issues.
Reports of Program Evaluations.
14. Evaluating Individual Practice Effectiveness.
Alternatives to Single System Research.
Characteristics of a Single System Research.
Conducting Single System Research.
Design Alternatives.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Single System Research.
Ethical issues.
1. How Do We Get Our Knowledge?
Historical Origins of Current Attitudes.
Types of Knowledge.
Where Do We Get Our "Knowledge"?
Characteristics of the Scientific Alternative.
Quantitative and Qualitative Research.
The Traditional Scientific Research Process.
The Environment for Scientific Social Work Research.
2. Ethical Issues in Social Work Research.
Treatment of Research Participants.
Today's Standards for Treatment of Participants.
Other Ethical Obligations of Researchers.
II. BEGINNING THE RESEARCH PROCESS.
3. Research Problems and Questions.
Why We Begin with Research Problems.
Setting Problem Priorities.
Identifying the Real Problem.
Selecting Research Questions.
4. Using Existing Knowledge.
What Is the Review of Literature?
Purpose of the Review of Literature.
Potential Sources of "Literature."
Organizing the Literature Review.
Writing the Report of a Review of Literature.
5. Focused Research Questions and Hypotheses.
Focused Research Questions.
Hypotheses.
III. RESEARCH DESIGN ISSUES.
6. Introduction to Research Design.
What Is a Research Design?
The Purpose of Research Designs.
Broad Research Typologies.
The Knowledge Building Continuum.
Internal Validity and External Validity.
What is the "Best" Research Design?
Characteristics of Good Designs.
7. Qualitative Research Methods.
Interviewing in Qualitative Research.
Research that Relies on Qualitative Methods.
Criteria for Evaluating Qualitative Designs.
Feminist Research.
Using Qualitative Methods to Evaluate Practice Effectiveness.
8. Quantitative Research Methods.
Research That Uses Secondary Data Analysis.
Research That Collects and Analyses Original Data.
Using Quantitative Methods to Evaluate Practice Effectiveness.
9. Case Sampling.
Sampling Terminology.
Probability Sampling.
Nonprobability Sampling.
Selecting a Good Sample.
Sampling Distributions and Sampling Error.
10. Measurement Concepts and Issues.
Preparation for Measurement.
Levels of Measurement.
Criteria for Good Measurement.
Cultural Issues in Measurement of Variables.
11. Use of Data Collection Instruments.
Fixed-Alternative and Open-Ended Items.
Indexes and Scales.
When Are Existing Instruments Appropriate for Use?
Use of Revised Instruments.
Constructing New Instruments.
Use of Self Administered Instruments.
12. Analyzing Data and Disseminating Findings.
The Data in Perspective.
Preparing for Statistical Analysis of Data.
Statistical Analysis of Research Data: An Overview.
Interpreting and Reporting the Results of Statistical Analysis.
Disseminating Research Knowledge.
IV. EVALUATION RESEARCH.
13. Evaluating Programs.
What Is Program Evaluation?
What is the Appropriate Design for a Program Evaluation?
Other Types of Evaluation Research.
Who Should Conduct Evaluative Research?
The Political Context of Program Evaluation.
Ethical Issues.
Reports of Program Evaluations.
14. Evaluating Individual Practice Effectiveness.
Alternatives to Single System Research.
Characteristics of a Single System Research.
Conducting Single System Research.
Design Alternatives.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Single System Research.
Ethical issues.