Applied Social Research A Tool for Human Services (with InfoTrac)

by Monette, Duane R.; Sullivan, Thomas J.; DeJong, Cornell R.

• ISBN13: 9780534628581
• ISBN10: 0534628583
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-05-28
• Publisher: Brooks Cole

Summary

1. Research in the Human Services. 2. The Logic of Social Research. 3. Ethical Issues in Social Research. 4. Issues in Problem Formulation. 5. The Process of Measurement. 6. Sampling. 7. Survey Research. 8. Analysis of Available Data. 9. Field Research and Qualitative Methods. 10. Experimental Research. 11. Single-System Designs. 12. Evaluation Research. 13. Scaling. 14. Data Analysis I: Data Preparation and Presentation. 15. Data Analysis II: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics. 16. Analysis of Qualitative Data. 17. Writing for Research: Grant Proposals and Report Writing. Appendix A. A Guide to Library Use and Information Retrieval. Appendix B. Generating Random Numbers. Glossary. References.

Table of Contents

Preface	xix
New to the Sixth Edition	xxiii
Acknowledgments	xxvii
Research in the Human Services	1	(17)
Research in the Human Services	4	(4)
Goals of Research	4	(1)
Applications of Research	5	(3)
Special Issues: Research on Minorities and Women	8	(1)
Parallels and Linkages between Research and Practice	8	(4)
Steps in Conducting Research	8	(2)
Steps in Practice Intervention	10	(2)
The Plan of the Book	12	(3)
Main Points	15	(1)
Important Terms for Review	15	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	15	(1)
For Further Reading	16	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	17	(1)
The Logic of Social Research	18	(30)
Sources of Knowledge	19	(6)
Tradition	19	(1)
Experience	20	(1)
Common Sense	21	(1)
Journalism	21	(1)
Science	22	(2)
Scientific Practice	24	(1)
Theories in Research and Practice	25	(5)
What Is a Theory?	27	(1)
The Functions of Theories	28	(2)
Concepts and Hypotheses	30	(3)
Defining Concepts	30	(1)
Developing Hypotheses	31	(1)
Concepts and Operational Definitions among Minority Populations	32	(1)
Perspectives on Science	33	(8)
Deduction versus Induction	33	(1)
Types of Explanation	34	(3)
Paradigms in Science	37	(4)
Cause-and-Effect Relationships	41	(3)
Main Points	44	(1)
Important Terms for Review	44	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	45	(1)
For Further Reading	45	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	46	(2)
Ethical Issues in Social Research	48	(27)
The Minority Experience: The Need for Ethical Standards	50	(3)
Ethical Issues	53	(16)
Informed Consent	53	(2)
Deception	55	(1)
The Right to Privacy: Anonymity and Confidentiality	56	(3)
Harm, Distress, and Benefit	59	(3)
Sponsored Research	62	(1)
Scientific Misconduct and Fraud	63	(2)
Scientific Advocacy	65	(1)
Protecting Vulnerable Clients	66	(2)
Withholding Treatment for Research Purposes	68	(1)
Codes of Ethics	69	(2)
Main Points	71	(1)
Important Terms for Review	72	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	72	(1)
For Further Reading	73	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	74	(1)
Issues in Problem Formulation	75	(26)
Selecting a Research Problem	76	(6)
Personal Interest	76	(1)
Social Problems	76	(1)
Testing Theory	77	(1)
Prior Research	77	(1)
Program Evaluation	77	(2)
Human Service Practice	79	(1)
Minorities in Research: The Political Context of Problem Selection	80	(2)
Shaping and Refining the Problem	82	(10)
Conceptual Development	82	(1)
Review of the Literature	83	(3)
Units of Analysis	86	(2)
Reactivity	88	(1)
Qualitative versus Quantitative Research	89	(1)
Cross-Sectional versus Longitudinal Research	89	(3)
Feasibility of a Research Project	92	(5)
Time Constraints	92	(1)
Financial Considerations	93	(2)
Anticipating and Avoiding Problems	95	(2)
Main Points	97	(1)
Important Terms for Review	98	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	98	(1)
For Further Reading	99	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	99	(2)
The Process of Measurement	101	(28)
Ways of Measuring	102	(7)
From Concepts to Indicators	102	(2)
Techniques of Measuring	104	(1)
Positivist and Nonpositivist Views of Measurement	105	(4)
Levels of Measurement	109	(4)
Nominal Measures	109	(1)
Ordinal Measures	110	(1)
Interval Measures	110	(1)
Ratio Measures	111	(1)
Discrete versus Continuous Variables	112	(1)
Evaluating Measures	113	(7)
Validity	113	(3)
Reliability	116	(3)
Measurement with Minority Populations	119	(1)
Errors in Measurement	120	(3)
Random Errors	121	(1)
Systematic Errors	121	(1)
Improving Validity and Reliability	122	(1)
Choosing a Measurement Device	123	(2)
Main Points	125	(1)
Important Terms for Review	126	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	126	(1)
For Further Reading	127	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	127	(2)
Sampling	129	(28)
The Purpose of Sampling	130	(1)
Sampling Terminology	131	(3)
Populations and Samples	131	(1)
Sampling Frames	131	(2)
A Classic Sampling Disaster	133	(1)
Probability Samples	134	(10)
Simple Random Sampling	134	(1)
Systematic Sampling	135	(1)
Stratified Sampling	135	(2)
Area Sampling	137	(4)
Estimating Sample Size	141	(3)
Nonprobability Samples	144	(7)
Availability Sampling	145	(1)
Snowball Sampling	146	(1)
Quota Sampling	147	(1)
Purposive Sampling	148	(2)
Dimensional Sampling	150	(1)
Sampling with Minority Populations	151	(1)
A Note on Sampling in Practice	152	(1)
Main Points	153	(1)
Important Terms for Review	154	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	155	(1)
For Further Reading	155	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	156	(1)
Survey Research	157	(36)
Designing Questions	158	(6)
Closed-Ended versus Open-Ended Questions	158	(3)
Wording of Questions	161	(3)
Questionnaires	164	(8)
Structure and Design	164	(1)
Response Rate	165	(4)
Checking for Bias Due to Nonresponse	169	(1)
An Assessment of Questionnaires	170	(2)
Interviews	172	(10)
The Structure of Interviews	172	(5)
Contacting Respondents	177	(1)
Conducting an Interview	178	(2)
Minorities and the Interview Relationship	180	(1)
An Assessment of Interviews	181	(1)
Telephone Surveys	182	(2)
Online Surveys	184	(1)
Focus Groups	185	(2)
Practice and Research Interviews Compared	187	(3)
Main Points	190	(1)
Important Terms for Review	190	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	190	(1)
For Further Reading	191	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	192	(1)
Analysis of Available Data	193	(25)
Statistical Data	194	(9)
Sources of Statistical Data	194	(2)
Using Statistical Data	196	(7)
Content Analysis	203	(3)
Coding Schemes	203	(1)
Units of Analysis	204	(1)
Manifest versus Latent Coding	205	(1)
Issues in Content Analysis	206	(4)
Validity	206	(1)
Reliability	207	(1)
Level of Measurement	207	(2)
Sampling	209	(1)
Assessment of Available Data Analysis	210	(4)
Advantages	210	(1)
Disadvantages	211	(1)
Using Available Data in Research on Minorities	212	(2)
Main Points	214	(1)
Important Terms for Review	215	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	215	(1)
For Further Reading	216	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	216	(2)
Field Research and Qualitative Methods	218	(37)
Characteristics of Qualitative Methods	219	(2)
Contextual Approach	219	(1)
Grounded Theory Methodology	220	(1)
Field Research	221	(7)
Participant Observation	221	(5)
Unobtrusive Observation	226	(2)
Steps in Field Research	228	(4)
Problem Formulation	228	(1)
Selecting a Field Setting	228	(1)
Entering the Field	228	(1)
Developing Rapport in the Field	229	(1)
Becoming Invisible	230	(1)
Attitude of the Researcher	230	(1)
Observing and Recording in the Field	231	(1)
Going Native	231	(1)
Exiting the Field	232	(1)
Recording Observations in Field Research	232	(7)
Qualitative Observation: Field Notes	232	(2)
Quantitative Observation: Coding Sheets	234	(5)
Other Qualitative Methods	239	(3)
In-Depth Interviewing	240	(1)
Case Studies, Life Histories, and Narratives	240	(1)
Focus Groups	241	(1)
Issues in Observational and Field Research	242	(5)
Sampling	242	(2)
Validity and Reliability	244	(2)
Reactivity	246	(1)
Observational and Field Research on Minority Populations	246	(1)
Assessment of Field Techniques and Qualitative Methods	247	(2)
Advantages	247	(1)
Disadvantages	248	(1)
Observation in Human Service Practice	249	(2)
Main Points	251	(1)
Important Terms for Review	252	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	252	(1)
For Further Reading	253	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	253	(2)
Experimental Research	255	(33)
The Logic of Experimentation	257	(9)
Causation and Control	257	(2)
Matching and Randomization	259	(5)
Internal Validity	264	(2)
Experimental Designs	266	(11)
Preexperimental Designs	266	(1)
True Experimental Designs	267	(6)
Quasi-Experimental Designs	273	(2)
Modes of Data Collection in Experiments	275	(2)
External Validity	277	(4)
Reactive Effects of Testing	277	(1)
Unrepresentative Samples	277	(1)
Reactive Settings	278	(1)
Multiple-Treatment Interference	279	(1)
Enhancing the External Validity of Experiments	280	(1)
Lack of Minority Participation and Analysis	281	(1)
Assessment of Experiments	281	(3)
Advantages	281	(1)
Disadvantages	282	(2)
Main Points	284	(1)
Important Terms for Review	285	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	285	(1)
For Further Reading	285	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	286	(2)
Single-System Designs	288	(28)
The Clinical Research Model	289	(2)
The Clinical Research Process	291	(9)
Identify Problems	291	(1)
Establish Goals	291	(1)
Select a Single-System Design	292	(1)
Establish and Measure the Baseline	292	(3)
Introduce Treatment	295	(1)
Assess Treatment Effects	296	(4)
Types of Single-System Designs	300	(10)
Single-Treatment Designs	301	(4)
Specialized Designs	305	(5)
Generalizability of Single-System Designs	310	(1)
Assessment of the Clinical Research Model	311	(1)
Advantages	311	(1)
Disadvantages	311	(1)
Main Points	312	(2)
Important Terms for Review	314	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	314	(1)
For Further Reading	314	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	315	(1)
Evaluation Research	316	(27)
What Is Evaluation Research?	317	(3)
Why Evaluate?	317	(1)
Evaluation Research and Basic Research	317	(2)
The Politics of Evaluation Research	319	(1)
Types of Evaluation Research	320	(1)
Formative Evaluation Research	320	(2)
Summative Evaluation Research	322	(16)
Evaluability Assessment	322	(2)
Specification of Variables	324	(1)
Measuring Variables	325	(1)
The Evaluation of Minorities in Evaluation Research	326	(1)
Designs for Evaluation Research	327	(5)
Nonpositivist Approaches to Evaluation	332	(1)
Cost-Benefit Analysis	333	(4)
Cost-Effective Analysis	337	(1)
Barriers to the Use of Evaluation Research	338	(1)
Main Points	339	(1)
Important Terms for Review	340	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	340	(1)
For Further Reading	341	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	342	(1)
Scaling	343	(25)
Advantages of Scaling	344	(1)
Improved Validity	344	(1)
Improved Reliability	344	(1)
Increased Level of Measurement	344	(1)
Increased Efficiency in Data Handling	344	(1)
Developing Scales	345	(3)
Sources of Scale Items	345	(1)
Characteristics of Scale Items	346	(2)
Scaling Formats	348	(12)
Likert Scales	348	(3)
Thurstone Scales	351	(2)
Semantic Differential Scales	353	(2)
Guttman Scales	355	(4)
Multidimensional Scales	359	(1)
Avoiding Response Bias	360	(2)
Sources of Response Bias	360	(1)
Reducing Response Bias	361	(1)
Scaling in the Human Services	362	(2)
Main Points	364	(1)
Important Terms for Review	365	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	365	(1)
For Further Reading	366	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	367	(1)
Data Analysis I: Data Preparation and Presentation	368	(33)
Preparation for Data Analysis	369	(5)
Coding Schemes	369	(5)
Preparing and Using a Codebook	374	(1)
Data Entry	374	(4)
Raw Data Entry	374	(2)
Data Cleaning	376	(1)
Creating New Variables	377	(1)
Data Distributions	378	(6)
Types of Data Distributions	378	(2)
Constructing Frequency Distributions	380	(4)
Graphical Display of Data Distributions	384	(3)
Bar Graphs	384	(2)
Histograms and Frequency Polygons	386	(1)
Pie Charts	386	(1)
Contingency Tables	387	(11)
Bivariate Relationships	387	(6)
Multivariate Analysis	393	(5)
Main Points	398	(1)
Important Terms for Review	398	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	398	(1)
For Further Reading	399	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	400	(1)
Data Analysis II: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics	401	(26)
Considerations in Choosing Statistics	402	(3)
Level of Measurement	402	(1)
Goals of the Data Analysis	403	(1)
Number of Variables	404	(1)
Properties of the Data	404	(1)
Audience	405	(1)
Descriptive Statistics	405	(9)
Measures of Central Tendency	406	(1)
Measures of Dispersion	407	(1)
Measures of Association	408	(3)
The Normal Distribution	411	(3)
Inferential Statistics	414	(10)
Probability Theory	415	(1)
Sampling Distributions	415	(1)
Statistical Hypothesis Testing	416	(2)
Statistical Procedures	418	(6)
Main Points	424	(1)
Important Terms for Review	424	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	424	(1)
For Further Reading	425	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	425	(2)
Analysis of Qualitative Data	427	(26)
Goals of Qualitative Data Analysis	428	(2)
Data Reduction and Analysis	430	(9)
Codes and Coding	430	(6)
Reflective Remarks and Memos	436	(1)
Contextualizing Strategies	437	(2)
Displaying Data	439	(3)
Narrative Text	439	(1)
Visual Displays	439	(3)
Conclusions and Verification	442	(5)
Using Computers in Qualitative Research	447	(2)
Coding and Retrieving Data	447	(1)
Data Analysis and Hypothesis Testing	448	(1)
Conceptualization and Theory Building	449	(1)
Main Points	449	(1)
Important Terms for Review	450	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	450	(1)
For Further Reading	451	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	451	(2)
Writing for Research: Grant Proposals and Report Writing	453	(24)
The Grant Funding Process	454	(5)
Federal Government Funding Sources	454	(1)
State Government Grants	455	(1)
Private Funding Sources	456	(1)
Learning about Funding Opportunities	457	(2)
Grant Proposal Planning	459	(4)
Proposal Development as a Process	459	(1)
Identifying the Topic	460	(1)
Needs Assessment	460	(1)
Specifying the Organization's Mission	461	(1)
Developing a Program	461	(1)
Targeting a Funding Source	462	(1)
Contacting and Visiting Funding Sources	463	(1)
Writing the Grant Proposal	463	(6)
Appearance and Writing Style	465	(1)
Components of the Proposal	466	(3)
Submitting the Proposal	469	(1)
Writing a Research Report	469	(5)
Consideration of the Audience	470	(1)
Organization of the Report	471	(2)
The Process of Writing	473	(1)
Main Points	474	(1)
Important Terms for Review	474	(1)
Exploring InfoTrac® College Edition and the Internet	474	(1)
For Further Reading	475	(1)
Exercises for Class Discussion	476	(1)
Appendix A: A Guide to Library Use and Information Retrieval	477	(14)
Organization of the Library	478	(1)
Library Departments	478	(1)
Accessing Library Materials and Other Information	479	(1)
Books	479	(3)
The Classification System	479	(2)
The Library Catalog	481	(1)
Periodicals	482	(2)
The Classification System	482	(1)
Journals Important to the Human Services	483	(1)
Online Databases	484	(2)
Reference Books for the Human Services	486	(1)
Government Documents	486	(2)
Information Literacy and Critical Thinking Skills	488	(1)
For Further Reading	488	(3)
Appendix B: Generating Random Numbers	491	(4)
Glossary	495	(8)
References	503	(20)
Name Index	523	(10)
Subject Index	533