Social Work Research methods with Research Navigator

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

• ISBN13: 9780205470112
• ISBN10: 0205470114
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-12-15
• Publisher: Pearson

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 vacuum-that 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

Preface

Research Navigator

Foundations

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

Dimensions of Social Work Research

Dimensions of Research

Empowerment Research

Data Collection Techniques Used

The Role of Diversity

The Role of Technology

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

The Meanings of Methodology

The Three Traditional Approaches

Positivist Social Science

Interpretive Social Science

Critical Social Science

A Fourth Approach: Feminist and Postmodern Research

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

Planning And Preparation

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

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

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

Quantitative Data Collection And Analysis

Experimental Research

Random Assignment

Experimental Design Logic

Internal and External Validity

Practical Considerations

Results of Experimental Research: Making Comparisons

A Word on Ethics

Survey Research

The Logic of Survey Research

Constructing the Questionnaire

Types of Surveys: Advantages and Disadvantages

Interviewing

The Ethical Survey

Nonreactive Research and Available Data

Nonreactive Measurement

Existing Statistics/Documents and Secondary Analysis

Social Indicators

Issues of Inference and Theory Fitting

Analyzing Quantitative Data

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