Planning and Conducting Agency-Based Research

by Westerfelt, Alex J.; Dietz, Tracy J.

• ISBN13: 9780205386871
• ISBN10: 0205386873
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This unique workbook provides students and instructors with step-by-step procedures for use completing an agency-based research study. Written in clear language with concrete instructions, the third edition of Planning and Conduction Agency-Based Research includes a fully annotated sample literature review and spaces for student responses. Highlights of the Third Edition: Step-by-step workbook format with perforated pages takes students through the process of conducting an agency-based research project, while allowing students to write in book or hand in as assignments. Provides students with many practical examples, including a list of suggested projects, a fully annotated literature review, examples of how to use existing literature, and sample consent forms. Expanded section on data analysis provides more material on statistical tests and more examples of ways to organize and present data. Expanded section on outcomes evaluation includes material on the use of logic models to help students develop program outcomes and their measures. Reviewer comments: ";This is a book worth adopting because it is hands-on, user friendly, practical, and downright helpful to beginning researchers. It is very concrete and the examples used were very helpful."; Jacquelyn Monroe, The Ohio State University ";The workbook is straightforward and breaks the process into manageable steps that should alleviate much of students' anxiety, which, in my experience, is the biggest barrier to students engaging in research."; Wanda M. Spaid, Brigham Young University "; Planning and Conducting Agency-Based Research tends to demystify the process by adroitly using examples and by breaking down the research process into manageable and easily understood components. In short, it is an excellent basic step-by-step approach to research."; Howard Karger, University of Houston Don't Miss This Special Value Pack Option: Research Navigatortrade; Research Navigatortrade; can be a student's best friend when they're facing a large research project. Especially helpful with the toughest challenge-getting started-Research Navigatortrade; offers a comprehensive, step-by-step walk-through of the research process, along with access to some of the most respected source databases available. Access to Research Navigatortrade;-a $15 value-is FREE when packaged with a new Allyn & Bacon Social Work textbook! If this text did not come packaged with Research Navigatortrade;, look for it in your bookstore or visit http://www.researchnavigator.com today to purchase immediate access. Contact your local Allyn & Bacon representative and request special packaging codes to take advantage of this great offer.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
Agency-Based Research	2	(1)
New in this Edition	2	(1)
Acknowledgments	2	(2)
Layout of the Workbook	4	(1)
How to Use this Workbook	5	(196)
Special Note to Students	6	(1)
Special Note to Course Instructors	7	(1)
Special Note to Field Instructors	8	(1)
Special Note to Agency Staff Conducting Research	8	(1)
A Final Note	9	(2)
Orientation to Agency Research	11	(12)
If the Agency Has a Research Program	12	(4)
If the Agency Does Not Have a Research Program	16	(3)
Staff Views and Usage of Research	19	(3)
Agency Resources for Your Research	22	(1)
Timeframe for Your Research Project	22	(1)
Protection of Research Participants (Preliminary)	23	(4)
The University IRB	25	(1)
The Agency IRB	25	(1)
Prepare a Timeline for Your Human Subjects' Review Application	26	(1)
The Research Question	27	(10)
What Would You Like to Know?	28	(1)
What Would the Agency Like to Know?	29	(1)
What Would the Clients Like to Know?	30	(1)
What Is Your Research Question?	31	(1)
List of Student Research Questions and Design Type	32	(1)
Browse the Literature Related to Your Topic	33	(2)
Refine Your Research Question	35	(1)
Finalize Your Research Question	36	(1)
The Literature Review	37	(32)
Conduct a Literature Search	42	(3)
Evaluate and Critique the Literature	45	(13)
Write the Introduction Section	58	(2)
Write the Literature Review Section	60	(2)
Annotated Example of a Literature Review	62	(7)
Choosing Your Methodology & Developing a Timeline	69	(4)
Determine the Purpose of Your Study	70	(1)
Develop Your Proposed Timeline	71	(1)
Submit Proposed Study to Your Course Instructor	71	(1)
Study Timeline Template	72	(1)
Survey Research	73	(20)
Translate Concepts and Variables into Measures	73	(5)
Construct Your Research Questionnaire	78	(3)
Plan How to Administer Your Questionnaire	81	(9)
Pilot Your Research Instrument and Plan for Data Collection	90	(2)
Write the Methods Section	92	(1)
Data Collection	92	(1)
Qualitative Research	93	(12)
Develop the Interview Agenda: Your Research Instrument	94	(4)
Plan How to Conduct Interviews	98	(4)
Pilot Your Interview Agenda and Plan for Data Collection	102	(1)
Write the Methods Section	103	(1)
Data Collection	103	(2)
Single-Subject Design Research	105	(14)
Translate Concepts into Variables	106	(1)
Translate Variables into Measures (Operationalization)	107	(7)
Identify the Specific Single-Subject Design	114	(3)
Write the Methods Section	117	(1)
Data Collection	117	(2)
Outcomes Evaluation	119	(26)
Developing the Rationale for the Intervention: A Logic Model	123	(2)
Developing Program Outcomes and their Measures	125	(8)
Choosing a Design	133	(2)
Threats to Internal Validity	135	(3)
Selecting a Sample and Assigning Groups	138	(4)
Write the Methods Section	142	(1)
Data Collection	142	(1)
Logic Model for the Quest Program	143	(2)
Sample Design	145	(14)
For Probability Samples	146	(7)
For Nonprobability Samples	153	(4)
Write the Sample Section	157	(2)
Protection of Research Participants	159	(8)
Construct a Consent Form	160	(1)
Outline Procedures for Obtaining Informed Consent	161	(1)
Confidentiality Safeguards	162	(1)
Request Agency Approval	163	(1)
Request IRB Approval	164	(1)
Sample Consent Forms	165	(2)
Data Analysis for Surveys and Outcomes Evaluation	167	(16)
Presentation of Descriptive Information	171	(3)
Statistical Tests for Descriptive Data	174	(1)
Presentation of Group Comparisons	175	(4)
Statistical Tests for Group Comparisons	179	(3)
Testing the Relationship between Continuous Variables	182	(1)
Data Analysis for Qualitative Research	183	(6)
First Level Coding	184	(2)
Second Level Coding	186	(1)
Select Excerpts to Represent Each Theme	187	(1)
Obtain Feedback from Research Participants	188	(1)
Relate Your Findings to the Literature	188	(1)
Data Analysis for Single-Subject Design Research	189	(4)
Visual Significance	189	(2)
Statistical Significance	191	(1)
Substantive or Clinical Significance	192	(1)
Writing the Final Report	193	(8)
Rewrite Earlier Sections of Your Paper	194	(1)
For the Sample Section	194	(1)
Write the Findings Section	194	(1)
Write the Discussion Section	195	(1)
Compile the References	196	(1)
Compile the Appendices	197	(1)
Write the Abstract	197	(1)
Final Checklist	198	(1)
Research Paper Outline	199	(2)
Workbook Bibliography	201	(2)
Appendix	203