Research Design for Social Work: Types, Strengths, and Limitations

Question 1

Which of the following is the primary advantage of quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Allows for the testing of hypotheses and generalization of findings.

Answer

Provides in-depth understanding of individual experiences.

Answer

Facilitates the exploration of new phenomena.

Answer

Enriches qualitative findings by providing additional data.

Question 2

Which of the following factors should NOT be considered when selecting a sampling technique?

Accepted Answer

Researcher's preference

Answer

Type of research question

Answer

Target population

Answer

Cost and time constraints

Question 3

Differentiate between a cross-sectional and a longitudinal research design based on their data collection approach.

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional studies collect data at one point in time, while longitudinal studies collect data over time.

Answer

Cross-sectional studies focus on large populations, while longitudinal studies focus on smaller samples.

Answer

Cross-sectional studies are more expensive than longitudinal studies.

Answer

Cross-sectional studies are more generalizable than longitudinal studies.

Question 4

Explain the significance of triangulation in research.

Accepted Answer

Increases credibility and validity of findings

Answer

Facilitates identification of bias

Answer

Improves efficiency of data collection

Answer

Provides comprehensive insights into the research problem

Question 5

In research design, which approach involves manipulating an independent variable to observe its impact on a dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Experimental study

Answer

Correlational study

Answer

Observational study

Answer

Qualitative study

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of an operational definition in research?

Accepted Answer

Clearly defining the concepts under study

Answer

Ensuring reliable measurement

Answer

Enhancing findings' validity

Answer

Making research findings more accessible

Question 7

What is the primary advantage of using mixed methods research design?

Accepted Answer

Provides a more holistic understanding of the research phenomenon

Answer

Strengthens the findings' validity

Answer

Reduces the impact of researcher biases

Answer

Makes research findings more accessible

Question 8

What is the primary difference between descriptive and inferential research designs?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive research describes a population, while inferential research infers about a larger population from a sample.

Answer

Inferential research is not necessarily more reliable than descriptive research.

Answer

Descriptive research findings are not necessarily more generalizable than inferential research findings.

Answer

Not all descriptive or inferential research requires experimental designs.

Question 9

Define research design and identify its key elements.

Accepted Answer

A research design is a detailed plan that outlines the methods, procedures, and techniques used in a research study.

Answer

A research design focuses solely on data collection and analysis.

Answer

A research design is a theory that explains the relationships between variables.

Answer

A research design is merely a set of assumptions about the world.

Question 10

Which aspect of research design most significantly influences potential risks to participants?

Accepted Answer

Data Collection Method

Answer

Research Objective

Answer

Sampling Technique

Answer

Data Analysis Approach

Question 11

Which experimental design provides the highest level of control over extraneous variables, allowing researchers to draw the strongest causal inferences?

Accepted Answer

True experimental

Answer

Quasi-experimental

Answer

Non-experimental

Question 12

Which study design allows for the strongest inferences about causal relationships?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Cross-sectional survey

Answer

Observational study

Answer

Case study

Question 13

Which research approach involves direct, hands-on interaction between the researcher and participants?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research

Answer

Quantitative research

Answer

Mixed methods research

Answer

Action research

Question 14

What is the primary goal of ensuring validity in research?

Accepted Answer

To ensure accurate results

Answer

To prevent bias

Answer

To guarantee generalizability

Answer

To comply with ethical principles

Question 15

How do descriptive and inferential statistics differ?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive statistics summarize data, while inferential statistics make inferences about the larger population.

Answer

Inferential statistics summarize data, while descriptive statistics make inferences about the larger population.

Answer

Descriptive statistics test hypotheses, while inferential statistics analyze data.

Answer

Inferential statistics test hypotheses, while descriptive statistics analyze data.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a type of reliability commonly assessed in research?

Accepted Answer

External validity

Answer

Test-retest reliability

Answer

Inter-rater reliability

Answer

Split-half reliability

Question 17

Which of the following is a distinctive characteristic of qualitative research design?

Accepted Answer

Relies on subjective data and individual perspectives

Answer

Primarily employs statistical analysis

Answer

Aims for generalizability to a wide population

Question 18

What is the primary objective of a cross-sectional research design?

Accepted Answer

To examine relationships and characteristics at a specific point in time

Answer

To formulate predictions about future events

Answer

To track changes over an extended period

Question 19

Which of the following research methods is commonly employed in case study research?

Accepted Answer

In-depth interviews

Answer

Meta-analysis of existing research

Answer

Large-scale surveys

Answer

Controlled experiments

Question 20

What is the primary role of theory in research design?

Accepted Answer

To provide a framework for organizing, interpreting, and explaining data

Answer

To guarantee the validity of research findings

Answer

To render data collection obsolete

Question 21

Which sampling technique is most effective in ensuring diversity within a research sample?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling

Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Convenience sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Question 22

Which research design is considered the most rigorous for establishing causal relationships?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial

Answer

Cohort study

Answer

Case study

Answer

Cross-sectional study

Question 23

What is the main purpose of a validity assessment in research design?

Accepted Answer

To ascertain whether the research tool measures what it claims to measure

Answer

To enhance the readability of the research findings

Answer

To increase the sample size of the study

Question 24

Which of the following is an advantage of using mixed methods research?

Accepted Answer

Triangulation of findings, leading to increased confidence in the results

Answer

Eliminating the need for a control group

Answer

Lower cost and time requirements compared to single-method research

Question 25

What is a crucial consideration when designing a questionnaire for a survey?

Accepted Answer

The length and clarity of the questions

Answer

The availability of alternative data collection methods

Answer

The research budget allocated for the survey

Answer

The software used for data analysis