Types of Research Designs in Social Work: A Comprehensive Guide

Question 1

Describe a specific research study that utilized a mixed methods design. Discuss the advantages and challenges of employing this approach.

Accepted Answer

A study examining the effectiveness of a social welfare program used a mixed methods approach. It gathered qualitative data through interviews to understand participants' experiences and quantitative data through surveys to measure outcomes. This approach provided a comprehensive understanding of the program's impact.

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A study exploring homelessness solely relied on qualitative data, such as interviews and focus groups, to gather rich information about participants' experiences. It did not incorporate quantitative data.

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A study evaluating an intervention used only quantitative data, such as pre- and post-intervention surveys, to measure changes in outcomes. It did not incorporate qualitative data.

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A study combined qualitative and quantitative data but did not integrate them. The qualitative data informed the quantitative survey, but the results were not analyzed together.

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of employing triangulation in research methodology?

Accepted Answer

To enhance the validity of findings by combining multiple data sources

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To reduce biases by incorporating diverse perspectives

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To improve the generalizability of results across different settings

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To strengthen theoretical frameworks through convergence of evidence

Question 3

Which of the following best exemplifies a quantitative research method?

Accepted Answer

Survey questionnaire

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Experimental design

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Focus group discussion

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Ethnographic observation

Question 4

Which aspect is NOT a criterion for evaluating the quality of research methods?

Accepted Answer

Ease of implementation

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Reliability

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Validity

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Generalizability

Question 5

What is the primary aim of qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

To explore and gain insights into social phenomena

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To test hypotheses and draw causal inferences

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To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions

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To predict future outcomes

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using non-experimental research designs?

Accepted Answer

Establishment of causal relationships

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Ability to examine complex phenomena

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Capacity to generalize findings to broader populations

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Insights into real-world settings

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a type of control group used in experimental research?

Accepted Answer

Historical control group

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No-treatment control group

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Placebo control group

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Active treatment control group

Question 8

To evaluate the effectiveness of a new social work intervention designed to reduce recidivism rates among juvenile offenders, which research design would be most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

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Quasi-experimental design

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Non-experimental design

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Mixed methods design

Question 9

Quasi-experimental designs differ from experimental designs primarily in that:

Accepted Answer

Participants are not randomly assigned

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They do not have a control group

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The independent variable cannot be manipulated

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They typically yield more reliable data

Question 10

A distinguishing feature of mixed methods research designs is that they:

Accepted Answer

Combine qualitative and quantitative data collection methods

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Employ only one data collection method

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Focus exclusively on statistical analysis

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Conduct multiple separate research studies simultaneously

Question 11

A potential limitation of non-experimental research designs is:

Accepted Answer

Difficulty establishing causal relationships

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Lack of control over independent variables

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High cost of data collection

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Ethical considerations

Question 12

When selecting a research design, the primary consideration should be:

Accepted Answer

The specific research question being investigated

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The availability of resources

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The desired outcomes of the study

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The researcher's personal preferences

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a factor to consider when deciding between qualitative and quantitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Sample size

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Research question

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Underlying theoretical framework

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Data collection techniques

Question 14

In a true experimental design, participants are:

Accepted Answer

Randomly assigned to different conditions.

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Assigned to conditions based on their characteristics.

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Allowed to choose which condition they want to be in.

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Not assigned to any specific condition.

Question 15

What is a major limitation of non-experimental designs?

Accepted Answer

They cannot establish causality.

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They require large sample sizes.

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They are more expensive than experimental designs.

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They are unethical.

Question 16

Quasi-experimental designs are characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Only (a)

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Non-random assignment to groups

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Lack of control over the independent variable

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Inability to establish causality

Question 17

Which type of experimental design allows researchers to examine the effects of multiple independent variables simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Factorial design

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Block design

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Matched-pairs design

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Randomized block design

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a potential bias in non-experimental designs?

Accepted Answer

Randomization bias

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Selection bias

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Attrition bias

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Measurement bias

Question 19

What is the main purpose of a pilot study in research?

Accepted Answer

To test the feasibility and refine methods

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To collect preliminary data

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To establish the generalizability of the study

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To replicate the main study findings

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a hallmark of experimental research designs?

Accepted Answer

Absence of researcher control over the research setting

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Random assignment of participants

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Control group

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Independent variable is manipulated

Question 21

Quasi-experimental designs primarily differ from experimental designs in that:

Accepted Answer

Quasi-experimental designs do not use random assignment of participants.

Answer

Quasi-experimental designs lack a control group.

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Quasi-experimental designs are utilized for non-human subjects.

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Quasi-experimental designs are more costly to conduct.

Question 22

Mixed methods designs combine elements of:

Accepted Answer

Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods

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Experimental and non-experimental research designs

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Longitudinal and cross-sectional research designs

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Inductive and deductive reasoning

Question 23

Non-probability sampling methods are utilized to:

Accepted Answer

Select participants who possess specific characteristics of interest

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Obtain a representative sample of the population

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Guarantee that all population members have an equal chance of being selected

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Minimize the cost of data collection

Question 24

In a mixed methods research design, triangulation involves:

Accepted Answer

Using multiple data sources or methods to validate findings

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Combining quantitative and qualitative data into a single dataset

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Conducting a study over a prolonged period

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Randomly assigning participants to different research groups