Research Methods for Social Work
A Problem-Based Approach

First Edition

Antoinette Y. Farmer - Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey
G. Lawrence Farmer - Fordham University at Lincoln Center

Courses:
Research Methods in Social Work

January 2020 | 456 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Research Methods for Social Work: A Problem-Based Approach is a comprehensive introduction to methods instruction that engages students innovatively and interactively. Using a problem-based learning (PBL) approach, authors Antoinette Y. Farmer and G. Lawrence Farmer utilize case examples to achieve a level of application which builds readers’ confidence in methodology and reinforces their understanding of research across all levels of social work practice. These case examples, along with critical thinking questions, research tips, and step-by-step problem-solving methods, will improve student mastery and help them see why research is relevant. With the guidance of this new and noteworthy textbook, readers will transform into both knowledgeable consumers of research and skilled practitioners who can effectively address the needs of their clients through research.

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Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Chapter 1. Evidence-Based Practice

PBL Case 1: Neighborhood House and Social Isolation

Introduction

Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

Ways of Acquiring Knowledge

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Note

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Chapter 2. Research Ethics

PBL Case 2: Can I Really Conduct This Research Study?

Introduction

The Belmont Report

Institutional Review Board

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Note

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 3. The Research Process

PBL Case 3: Predictors of Bullying Behaviors

Introduction

Why Is Learning About Research Important for Your Professional Development?

What Is the Purpose of Research?

What Is Research Design?

The Research Process

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Chapter 4. Problem Formulation

PBL Case 4: Can I Really Conduct This Research Study?

Introduction

Problem Formulation Defined

The Importance of Conducting a Literature Review

Ethics and the Study Design

Diversity and the Research Question

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 5. Measurement

PBL Case 5: Should Maggie Really Be Using This Measure to Assess Kim’s Concerns?

Introduction

Measurement Defined

Conceptual Versus Operational Definition

Levels of Measurement

Sources of Measurement Error

Reliability and Validity

Selecting Standardized Measures

Constructing Measurement Instruments

Ethics and Measurement

Diversity and Measurement

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 6. Experimental Designs

PBL Case 6: Is This Parenting Program Effective for Adolescent Fathers?

Introduction

Experimental Research Designs Defined

Types of Experimental Research Designs

Ethics and Experimental Designs

Diversity and Experimental Designs

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 7. Quasi-Experimental Designs

PBL Case 7: What Are the Effects of a Diversion Program on Rearrest Rates, Re-Incarceration, and Mental Health Functioning?

Introduction

Quasi-Experimental Designs Defined

Types of Quasi-Experimental Designs

Ethics and Quasi-Experimental Designs

Diversity and Quasi-Experimental Designs

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 8. Qualitative Research

PBL Case 8: What Are the Perceptions of African American Adolescent Males About the Police?

Introduction

Qualitative Research Defined

Sampling Strategies Used in Qualitative Research

Types of Qualitative Research

Criteria for Ensuring the Trustworthiness of the Data

Ethics and Qualitative Research

Diversity and Qualitative Research

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 9. Mixed-Methods Research

PBL Case 9: An Evaluation of an Intervention Designed to Increase Knowledge About Opioids

Introduction

Mixed-Methods Research Defined

Sampling Strategies Used in Mixed-Methods Research

Ethics and Mixed-Methods Research

Diversity and Mixed-Methods Research

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 10. Observational Research

PBL Case 10: Prenatal Opioid Exposure: Implications for Children and Their Families

Introduction

Observational Research Defined

Types of Observational Research Designs

Ethics and Observational Research

Diversity and Observational Research

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 11. Sampling

PBL Case 11: Predictors of Bullying Behaviors: Variations Across Gender

Introduction

Terminology

Types of Sampling Strategies

Reasons Why Samples May Differ From the Population

Criteria for Evaluating the Quality of a Sample

Ethics and Sampling

Diversity and Sampling

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 12. Survey Research

PBL Case 12: Opioid Knowledge Among Older Adults

Introduction

Survey Research Defined

Sources of Errors Affecting Survey Research

Design Phases of the Survey

Methods of Data Collection Used in Survey Research

Response Rate

Ethics and Survey Research

Diversity and Survey Research

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 13. Quantitative Data Analysis

PBL Case 13: Is This Parenting Program Effective for Adolescent Fathers?

Introduction

What Type of Statistical Analysis Is Appropriate for Analyzing Your Data?

Key Statistics Concepts

Levels of Measurement

Coding of the Data

Statistical Analyses Used to Describe Data

Statistical Analyses Used to Assess the Degree of Relationship Among Variables

Statistical Analyses Used to Assess Significance of Group Differences

Ethics and Quantitative Data Analysis

Diversity and Quantitative Data Analysis

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 14. Qualitative Data Analysis

PBL Case 14: What Are the Perceptions of African American Adolescent Males About Police Brutality?

Introduction

Qualitative Data Analysis Defined

Phases of the Qualitative Data Analysis Process

Coding of the Data

Types of Qualitative Analyses

Criteria for Ensuring the Trustworthiness of the Data

Ethics and Qualitative Data Analysis

Diversity and Qualitative Data Analysis

Computer Programs for Qualitative Data

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 15. Single-Case Design Evaluation

PBL Case 15: Is Peer Mentoring Effective?

Introduction

Single-Case Design Evaluation Defined

What Needs to Be Done Prior to Conducting a Single-Case Design

Phases of the Single-Case Design Evaluation Process

Types of Single-Case Designs

Graphing and Analyzing the Data

Ethics and Single-Case Design Evaluation

Diversity and Single-Case Design Evaluation

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Chapter 16. Program Evaluation

PBL Case 16: Is Peer Mentoring Effective?

Introduction

Program Evaluation Defined

Program Logic Model

Types of Program Evaluations

Structure of an Evaluation Report

Ethics and Program Evaluation

Diversity and Program Evaluation

Summary, Review, and Assignments

Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives

Key Terms

Competency Notes

Assessment Questions

End-of-Chapter Exercises

Additional Readings

Appendix: Guidelines for Writing a Research Proposal

References

Index

Supplements

Student Resource Site
edge.sagepub.com/farmer

The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards that strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts, as well as learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.

For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.

Instructor Resource Site
edge.sagepub.com/farmer

The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards that strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts, as well as learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.

For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.

“The authors have proposed a very innovative way to make research understandable and interesting to an audience that doesn’t typically enjoy the research process. The problem-based learning model will engage students and challenge them to think about research in ways that many of them previously hadn’t thought about it.”

Juan J. Barthelemy

Louisiana State University

“Research Methods for Social Work Practice is a new take on the standard research text. This text incorporates a problem-based learning approach to addressing research content along with case studies to facilitate understanding of research content.”

Patricia Saleeby

Southern Illinois University

“This text is student-friendly and offer students immediate answers related to why and how research is relevant and required in the social work profession. From my review, I believe Research Methods for Social Work Practice may be exactly what we've needed in our program.”

Sonja V. Harry

Winston-Salem State University

A very useful book with some excellent detail in relation to methods particularly regarding social work

Mrs Toni Benaton

Health and Social Care at Derby, Derby University

January 26, 2022

Report this review

The book is truly fantastic! Students can easily understand the information and the instructor resources are amazing.

Dr Kimberly Hardy

Social Work Dept, Fayetteville State University

July 3, 2021

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Key features

KEY FEATURES:

Learning objectives and competency grids guide students through each chapter and illustrate how the content is applied to the relevant, updated EPAS competency practice behaviors.
Case studies open every chapter and include steps on applying the steps of problem-based learning (PBL) to real-life case scenarios students may encounter in a professional social work setting.
Application Checkpoints, tied to chapter case studies, are integrated throughout each chapter allowing students to apply what they learned, enhancing their critical thinking skills and competencies.
Research tables and figures, such as SPSS screenshots, allow students to see the breakdown of research activities.
Content on diversity and ethics is integrated throughout, ensuring students understand that diversity and ethics must be considered throughout the entire research process.
Step-by-step instructions on various analyses in quantitative methods provide guidance.
Summary, Review and Assignment sections at the end of each chapter provide ample opportunities for further reinforcement of learning objectives and review of the research process through assignable assessment questions and additional recommended readings.