Social Work Research Methods : Qualitative and Quantitative Applications

by Neuman, W. Lawrence; Kreuger, Larry W.

• ISBN13: 9780205299140
• ISBN10: 0205299148
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This comprehensive text contains introductory/intermediate coverage of qualitative and quantitative social work research and evaluation applications for undergraduate and graduate social work students. Adapted from Neuman's best-selling text, Social Research Methods, this text shows students that social work research does not take place in a vacuumthat the social and political context of the social work field will affect how they conduct their research. Balanced between quantitative and qualitative approaches to research, this new text places great emphasis on diversity and ethics in research.

Table of Contents

Chapters include “Conclusion,” “Key Terms,” and “Review Questions.”

I. FOUNDATIONS.

1. Science and Social Work Research.
Alternatives to Social Work Research.
How Science Works.
Steps in the Research Process.
Qualitative and Quantitative Social Work Research.
Why Conduct Social Work Research?

2. Dimensions of Social Work Research.
Dimensions of Research.
Empowerment Research.
Data Collection Techniques Used.
The Role of Diversity.
The Role of Technology.

3. Theory and Research.
What Is Theory?
Theory Versus Ideology.
Fact Versus Theory.
Theories in Social Work/Illustrative Authors.
Theory and Research: The Dynamic Duo.
The Role of Diversity.

4. The Meanings of Methodology.
The Three Traditional Approaches.
Positivist Social Science.
Interpretive Social Science.
Critical Social Science.
A Fourth Approach: Feminist and Postmodern Research.

5. The Ethics and Politics of Social Work Research.
Ethics and the Researcher.
Ethical Issues Involving Human Subjects.
Boundaries Between Research and Practice.
Ethics and the Scientific Community.
The Politics of Research.
Limits on What Researchers Study and How They Do Research.
The Dissemination and Use of Research Findings.
Objectivity and Value Freedom.
How Technology Can Be Used to Preserve Privacy.
How Diversity Informs Ethical Issues.

II. PLANNING AND PREPARATION.

6. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Design.
Qualitative and Quantitative Orientations Toward Research.
Quantitative Design Issues.
Refining Research Topics: Quantitative Research.
Qualitative Design Issues.
Refining Research Topics: Qualitative Research.
Example Studies: Quantitative Research.
Example Studies: Qualitative Research.

7. Qualitative and Quantitative Measurement.
Why Measure?
Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement.
Parts of the Measurement Process.
Reliability and Validity.
A Guide to Quantitative Measurement.
Index Construction.
Scales.

8. Qualitative and Quantitative Sampling.
Nonprobability Sampling: Haphazard, Accidental, and Convenience Sampling.
Quota, Purposive, and Judgmental Sampling.
Snowball, Extreme Case, and Sequential Sampling.
Theoretical Sampling.
Probability Sampling: Populations, Elements, and Sampling Frames.
Why Random?
Types of Probability Samples.
Hidden Populations.
How Large Should a Sample Be?
Drawing Inferences.

III. QUANTITATIVE DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS.

9. Experimental Research.
Random Assignment.
Experimental Design Logic.
Internal and External Validity.
Practical Considerations.
Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons.
A Word on Ethics.

10. Survey Research.
The Logic of Survey Research.
Constructing the Questionnaire.
Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages.
Interviewing.
The Ethical Survey.

11. Nonreactive Research and Available Data.
Nonreactive Measurement.
Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis.
Social Indicators.
Issues of Inference and Theory Fitting.

12. Analyzing Quantitative Data.
Dealing with Data.
Results with One Variable.
Results with Two Variables
More Than Two Variables.
Inferential Statistics.

IV. QUALITATIVE DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS.

13. Field Research.
The Logic of Field Research.
Choosing a Site and Gaining Access.
Relations in the Field.
Observing and Collecting Data.
The Field Research Interview.
Leaving the Field.
Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research.

14. Evaluation Research.
What Is Evaluation?
External and Internal Evaluations.
Formative and Summative Evaluations.
Developing a Logic Model.
Impact/Outcome Evaluation.
Monitoring Performance.
Process Analysis.
Cost-Benefit Analysis.
Single Case Design.
Empowerment Evaluation: Is There a Role for Intuition?
Studying Your Community: Needs Assessment and Beyond.
The Role of Diversity and the Euro-Male Paradigm.

15. Analysis of Qualitative Data.
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis: Similarities and Differences.
Concept Formation.
Methods of Qualitative Data Analysis.
What Is Missing, or the Importance of Negative Evidence.
Other Tools.

V. COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS.

16. Reviewing the Literature and Writing a Report.
Why Write a Report?
Where to Find Research Literature.
How to Conduct a Systematic Literature Review.
What Does a Good Literature Review Look Like?
Using the Internet.
The Writing Process.
The Quantitative Research Report.
The Qualitative Research Report.
The Research Proposal.
Websites for Social Work, Government, and Style Manuals.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Name Index.

Subject Index.

Appendices.