Читать книгу Social Work Research Methods - Reginald O. York - Страница 31

The second part of this book gives students competence in conducting various types of research, including the use of convenient Internet websites for the analysis of data of various kinds. In Chapter 5, they examine the use of the social survey with an exercise on the design of a client satisfaction survey for a familiar agency. The content of Chapter 6 shows how to conduct descriptive research with emphasis on the definition and measurement of variables, and the employment of descriptive statistics. The exercise in this chapter asks students to collect and examine data on the characteristics of the good work manager, with lessons on sex-role stereotypes. They are given step-by-step instructions on how to statistically analyze data using an Internet site.

Chapter 7 gives the student competence in conducting explanatory research where the relationships between variables are examined. This chapter introduces the student to inferential statistics. The exercise for this chapter calls on students to collect and examine data on the relationships between stress, social support, and life satisfaction. They submit that data for statistical analysis using an Internet site. In Chapter 8, students learn how to conduct evaluative research. The content of this chapter focuses on the identification of target behavior, the selection of the intervention, the measurement of client progress, the analysis of data, and conclusions. Further lessons on inferential statistics are included. The exercise for this chapter requires the student to examine data given to them from a study of the treatment of depression for a hypothetical mental health agency. An Internet website is employed. Chapter 9 provides students with concepts and skills of qualitative research. After a review of general concepts in qualitative research methods, students engage in a research practice exercise in content analysis. Program evaluation is the theme of Chapter 10. In this chapter, students learn about how agencies evaluate client need, service process, and client outcome in their comprehensive assessment of their programs. The exercise asks them to report on how a familiar agency addresses some aspect of the service system evaluation.

When students complete this section, they will be prepared to conduct basic research studies, including the statistical analysis of data. In other words, the mystery of research will have been substantially resolved and the students will be prepared to take action. But they will need additional lessons to take the step of competence at the intermediate level. That is the goal of the third part of this book.