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Social Work Research Design Fundamentals Study Guide

This guide provides a detailed overview of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), a critical approach in human services. It covers the definition of evidence, the hierarchy of evidence (from single studies to systematic reviews), and a step-by-step process for implementing EBP, including articulating research questions, searching for evidence, deciding on treatment, and evaluating outcomes. The guide also highlights the importance of common factors in therapeutic relationships, such as empathy and posit

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Foundations of Social Work Research and Practice

Ethics and Cultural Competence in Social Work Research

This material covers ethics in the use of human subjects in research, focusing on protecting vulnerable populations and implementing key ethical principles.

  • Ethics in the use of human subjects
  • Cultural competence
  • Vulnerable populations
  • Code of ethics
  • Respect for persons
  • Autonomy and self-determination
  • Beneficence
  • Justice
  • Informed consent
  • Privacy
  • Confidentiality
  • Risks and benefits
  • Institutional Review Board

Nature and Application of Cultural Competence

This topic examines the nature of cultural competence, its influence upon how research is conducted, and strategies for culturally competent research and evaluation.

  • NASW standards related to cultural competence
  • Cultural competence in exploratory studies
  • Cultural competence in descriptive studies
  • Cultural competence in explanatory studies
  • Cultural competence in evaluative studies
  • Cultural competence and the research process
  • Selection of study sample
  • Measurement of study variables
  • Analyzing data
  • Strategies for culturally competent evaluation
  • Cultural competence among MSW students

Purposes and Processes of Social Work Research

This material examines the four purposes of social work research and the steps involved in the research process.

  • Descriptive Study
  • Explanatory Study
  • Evaluative Study
  • Exploratory Study
  • Program evaluation
  • Evaluation of an intervention
  • Quantitative measurement
  • Qualitative measurement
  • Research Process

Nature of Evidence and Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice employs the judicious use of the best available evidence, client preferences, and therapist expertise to make practice decisions and improve client outcomes.

  • Evidence-based practice
  • Systematic review
  • Meta-analysis
  • Levels of evidence
  • Common factors
  • Therapeutic relationship
  • Goal congruence
  • Target behavior assessment
  • Critical appraisal

Foundations of Social Work Research and Methods

Social Work Research Purposes and Measurements

Scenarios involving descriptive, explanatory, evaluative, and exploratory research purposes, program or intervention evaluation, and quantitative or qualitative measurement.

  • Descriptive research
  • Explanatory research
  • Evaluative research
  • Exploratory research
  • Program evaluation
  • Intervention evaluation
  • Quantitative measurement
  • Qualitative measurement

Designing Social Work Research Studies

Instructions for designing a simple research study and identifying problems within research scenarios.

  • Research Question
  • Descriptive Purpose
  • Explanatory Purpose
  • Evaluative Purpose
  • Exploratory Purpose
  • Quantitative Measurement
  • Qualitative Measurement
  • Mixed Methods
  • Outcome Measurement
  • Research Problem

Social Work Research Methods and Ethics

Class exercises designed to help students distinguish between quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research and engage in critical thinking about ethical dilemmas in social work research.

  • quantitative research
  • qualitative research
  • mixed-methods research
  • research design
  • ethical principles
  • informed consent
  • confidentiality
  • beneficence
  • nonmaleficence
  • ethical decision-making

Science, Research, and Social Work Practice

Science serves as a way of knowing that uses the scientific method and systematic procedures to guide social work practice and research.

  • scientific method
  • scientific inquiry behaviors
  • evidence-based practice
  • social phenomena
  • critical thinking
  • scientific research process
  • pseudoscience
  • anecdotal evidence
  • objective methods of inquiry

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