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Questions and Answers
What method combines both qualitative and quantitative approaches?
Which of the following is a key focus of subjectivism in research?
What is the primary focus of positivism in research methodologies?
Which method would be used to gather numerical data on a large scale?
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What is a characteristic of structured interviews?
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Which research approach emphasizes the richness and complexity of human experiences?
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What is the purpose of focus groups in research?
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Which method is most commonly associated with qualitative research in social work?
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Which qualitative method allows for one-on-one in-depth conversations?
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What does constructivism highlight in research methodology?
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What type of question format measures attitudes on a scale?
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What is the main goal of quantitative methods in positivism?
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In which type of research is secondary data analysis commonly utilized?
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Which approach is primarily concerned with the narrator's perspective in research?
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What type of data collection primarily uses statistical tools?
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Which of the following best describes the constructivism approach?
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What is the primary purpose of randomized control trials (RCTs) in social work?
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Which of the following is a method of qualitative analysis?
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What distinguishes mixed methods from purely qualitative or quantitative research?
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Which factor should be considered when choosing the right methodology for social work research?
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What is one reason for using mixed methods in social work research?
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Which of the following best describes inferential statistics?
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What is a primary challenge when conducting qualitative analysis?
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What type of data collection method is common in cross-sectional surveys?
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Study Notes
Research Methodologies: Approaches to Knowledge
- A set of principles and procedures used to gather and analyze data to answer research questions.
- Different methodologies reflect underlying philosophies of knowledge (epistemology).
Positivism Approach
- Reality is objective and can be observed and measured using scientific methods.
- Assumes facts exist independently of the researcher.
- Uses quantitative methods (statistical tools and numerical data) to test hypotheses.
- Goal: identify patterns and generalize findings to larger populations.
- Example: a survey measuring the effectiveness of a community intervention program on reducing homelessness.
Subjectivism Approach
- Knowledge is subjective, influenced by human experiences and interpretations.
- Emphasizes individual perspectives, lived experiences, and meaning-making.
- Uses qualitative methods (interviews, observations, and case studies) to understand the context of human behavior.
- Goal: capture the richness and complexity of human experiences.
- Example: conducting interviews with clients to understand their personal experiences with mental health services.
Constructivism Approach
- Knowledge is socially constructed, created through interactions and shared experiences.
- Focuses on how people create meaning within their social and cultural contexts.
- Encourages collaboration between the researcher and participants to construct knowledge together.
- Often combines qualitative and quantitative approaches (mixed methods).
- Example: using focus groups with community members to co-create solutions for improving local health services.
Common Methods of Data Collection
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Quantitative Methods:
- Surveys and Questionnaires: gather numerical data on a large scale, used to study trends, behaviors, and attitudes.
- Experiments: controlled settings to examine cause-and-effect relationships, used in program evaluations or testing interventions.
- Secondary Data Analysis: analyzing existing data sets (e.g., census data, national surveys).
-
Qualitative Methods:
- Interviews: one-on-one, in-depth conversations to understand participants' perspectives and experiences.
- Focus Groups: group discussions to explore shared experiences or collective understanding on a topic.
- Observations: researchers observe behavior or phenomena in natural settings (often used in ethnographic studies).
Qualitative Tools in Data Collection
- Interviews:
- Structured: fixed questions, less flexible.
- Semi-Structured: fixed questions with flexibility for follow-up.
- Unstructured: open-ended, conversational interviews.
- Focus Groups: used to gather diverse perspectives on a specific issue or topic. Facilitator guides discussion to explore themes and experiences.
- Case Studies: in-depth analysis of a single case (e.g., an individual, group, or community). Offers detailed insights into a specific phenomenon.
Quantitative Tools in Data Collection
- Surveys & Questionnaires:
- Close-Ended Questions: provide predefined options for responses.
- Likert Scales: measure attitudes or opinions on a scale (e.g., from "Strongly Agree" to "Strongly Disagree").
- Cross-Sectional Surveys: data collected at one point in time.
- Experiments and Randomized Control Trials (RCTs): used to test the effectiveness of interventions or programs by randomly assigning participants to groups. Common in evidence-based practice in social work.
Data Analysis Methods
-
Qualitative Analysis:
- Thematic Analysis: identifying themes or patterns in qualitative data (e.g., interview transcripts).
- Content Analysis: examining the content of texts (e.g., policy documents or media).
- Grounded Theory: building theories from qualitative data through iterative coding and analysis.
-
Quantitative Analysis:
- Statistical Analysis: using software (e.g., SPSS, R) to analyze numerical data (e.g., mean, median, regression).
- Descriptive Statistics: provides summaries of data (e.g., averages, percentages).
- Inferential Statistics: tests hypotheses and makes predictions (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA, correlation).
Mixed Methods in Social Work
- Combining both qualitative and quantitative methods in the same study to capture a fuller picture of the research question.
- Provides a comprehensive understanding of complex social issues.
- Balances the strengths of both qualitative (depth) and quantitative (breadth) approaches.
- Example: A study that surveys a large group of social work clients about service satisfaction (quantitative), followed by in-depth interviews with a smaller subset to explore personal experiences (qualitative).
Choosing the Right Methodology for Social Work Research
- Factors to Consider:
- Research Question:
- Exploring a phenomenon, testing a hypothesis, or evaluating an intervention.
- Nature of the Data:
- Focused on human experiences or measurable outcomes?
- Ethical Considerations:
- How will the methodology respect participants' autonomy and confidentiality?
- Resources and Constraints:
- Feasibility in terms of time, funding, and access to participants?
- Research Question:
Conclusion
- Different research methodologies offer unique perspectives on how knowledge is generated and understood.
- Methods for data collection and analysis vary based on the research approach.
- Mixed methods provide a comprehensive approach valuable in the social sciences.
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