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Applied Social Research
Chapters 1-4
36
Social Work
Undergraduate 3
02/23/2012

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Term
Applied Research
Definition
Research designed to benefit a group or society as a whole
Term
Basic Research
Definition
Advance knowledge without practical benefits
Term
Evidence-Based Practice
Definition
"The conscientious, explicit, and judicious use" of the best evidence in making decisions during assessment and intervention; always questioning whether particular practices are effective
Term
Social Research
Definition
Systematic examination (or reexamination) of empirical data collected by someone concerning the social or psychological forces in a situation
Term
Research
Definition
A collection of methods used systematically to produce knowledge; a way of finding answers to questions
Term
Scientific Approach
Definition
1. Problem Formulation
2. Research Design/Development
3. Data Collection
4. Data Analysis
5. Drawing Conclusions
6. Public Dissemination of Results
Term
Problem Formulation (Questions)
Definition
"what is it I want to examine"
"Can it be done"
Is it practical, ethical, and affordable"
"Can the question be made clear and understandable"
Term
Research Design and Development (Questions)
Definition
"What is the best way to answer this question"
"Where should I go"
"Who will I need and how will I find them"
"What information do I need to collect"
Term
Data Collection (Questions) (Two safeguards)
Definition
"How am I going to collect and record information"
Pretest - trial run of data collection
Pilot Study - small scale trial run of entire study
Term
Deductive Reasoning
Definition
Inferring a conclusion from more abstract premises or propositions
Begin w/ theory, generate hypothesis, measure/observe to confirm
Term
Inductive Reasoning
Definition
Inferring something about a whole group from our knowledge of one or a few members
No theory, observe/gather information, attempt to explain information
Term
*5 GOALS OF RESEARCH*
Definition
1. Descriptive - Describe reality
2. Predictive - what will likely happen
3. Explanatory - why/how something occurred
4. Exploratory - relatively new area of study
5. Evaluation - "Do social programs do what they say they do"
Term
*WAYS TO ACCUMULATE KNOWLEDGE*
Definition
1. Tradition - based upon custom, habit, repetition
2. Experience - firsthand personal observation of events
3. Common Sense - what everyone would seem to know
4. Authority - true because of who said it
5. Media Myths - TV, Movies, Newspaper portrayal
6. Science - based upon systematic observation of what can be seen, touched, tasted, smelled, or heard
Term
Theory
Definition
"A compact way of thinking about a complex social situation"
A set of interrelated, abstract propositions or statements that offer an explanation of some phenomenon
Term
*CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENCE*
Definition
1. Empirical - based upon direct observation
2. Systematic - procedures are organized, methodical, public, and recognized by other scientists
3. Search for Causes - assume there are ascertainable reasons for the occurrence of all events and an orderly nature of the world does exist
4. Provisional - conclusions are always accepted as tentative and subject to refutation; there are NO untouchable, ultimate, or irrevocable truths
5. Objectivity - personal bias and values must not influence conclusions
Term
Concept
Definition
Building blocks of theory; mental constructs or images which symbolize persons, ideas, things, or events
Term
3 Key Aspects of Theory
Definition
1. Made up of propositions
2. Are abstract systems
3. Provide explanations
Term
3 Functions of Theories
Definition
1. Explain a phenomenon
2. Guide for research and practice
3. Integrate multiple observations
Term
Nominal Definition
Definition
verbal definitions in which one standard set of words or symbols are agreed upon; analogous to dictionary definitions
Term
Operational Definition
Definition
Definitions that indicate the precise procedures or operations to be followed in measuring a concept
Term
Hypothesis
Definition
Testable statements of presumed relationships between two or more concepts (IV/DV)
Term
Independent Variable
Definition
(X) Variable that causes produces change, causal
Term
Dependent Variable
Definition
(Y) Passive Variable, the one which is affected
Term
Types of Explanations
Definition
Nomothetic - concerned with conditions applicable to all events, generalizable
Idiographic - concerned with a single person, event, or situation, specific
Combined - ...
Term
Quantitative Research
Definition
Measurement of phenomenon using numbers and counts
Term
Qualitative Research
Definition
Measures a phenomenon with words, pictures, descriptions, or narratives
Term
2 Paradigms of Science
Definition
Positivist Approach - world exists independently of people and their perceptions; focus on objectivity
Nonpositivist Approach - focus on social interaction, subjective
Term
3 Requirements of Suggesting Causality
Definition
1. Statistical association between IV & DV
2. IV must occur prior in time to DV
3. Relationship between IV & DV must remain when other variables are taken into account
Term
Ethics
Definition
The study of what is proper and improper behavior; moral principles
Term
Ethical Issues in Research
Definition
1. Informed Consent
2. Deception
3. Right to Privacy - Anonymity and Confidentiality
4. Harm, Distress, and Benefit
5. Sponsored Research
6. Misconduct and Fraud
7. Advocacy
8. Vulnerable Clients
9. Withholding Treatment
Term
Selecting a Problem for Research
Definition
1. Person Interest
2. Social Problems
3. Testing Theory
4. Prior Research
5. Program Evaluation
6. Human Service Practice
Term
Ecological Fallacy
Definition
Inferring something about individuals based on data collected at higher units of analysis, such as groups
Term
Reductionist Fallacy
Definition
Inferring something about groups based upon data collected from individuals
Term
Reactivity
Definition
People can react to being studied by behaving differently
Term
Cross-Sectional Research
Definition
Focuses on a cross-section of a population at one point in time (i.e. surveys)
Term
Longitudinal Research
Definition
Gathering data over an extended period of time (i.e. panel study - same people studied at different times) (i.e. trend study - different people are observed at different times)
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