Below is a list of common terms used in social work research and evaluation. You are expected to become familiar with these terms by the end of SWRK 6400, including some application to social work scenarios. In your next research course (SWRK 6420), you will have more opportunity to apply the terms and concepts, as well as analyze them in social work evaluation scenarios.

1) RESEARCH APPROACHES

a) Evidence-based Practice
b) Exploratory, Descriptive, Explanatory, Evaluative
c) Constructs, Concepts, Variables
d) Deductive vs. Inductive reasoning
e) Qualitative (Interpretive)
f) Quantitative (Positivist)

2) RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES

a) Null Hypothesis
b) Research Hypothesis

i) Directional or one-tailed
ii) Non-directional or two-tailed

c) Rival or Alternative Hypothesis

3) SAMPLING

a) Population
b) Sampling frame
c) Sampling error vs. sampling bias
d) Probability

i) Simple Random
ii) Systematic Random
iii) Stratified Random
iv) Cluster Random

e) Non Probability

i) Convenience or Availability or Accidental
ii) Purposive
iii) Quota
iv) Snowball

4) MEASUREMENT

a) Variable
b) Validity (Psychometrics)

i) Face Validity
ii) Criterion Validity (Concurrent or Predictive Validity)
iii) Construct Validity (Convergent-Discriminant Validity, Chronbach’s Alpha)

c) Reliability (Psychometrics)

i) Test-retest reliability
ii) Alternative Forms
iii) Split-half

d) Measurement error (random vs. systematic)

5) RESEARCH DESIGN

a) Group Designs (symbols R, 0, X)

i) Random selection vs. random assignment
ii) Control, comparison, experimental groups
iii) Threats to internal validity
iv) Threats to external validity
v) Causality

b) Case-level or Single Subject Design (Symbols A, B, C)

i) Baseline
ii) Case study

6) TYPES OF DATA COLLECTION

a) Observation (Participant, Structured)
b) Survey or Questionnaire
c) Secondary or Existing (numerical, text)
d) Interviews
e) Missing data

7) DATA ANALYSIS

a) Quantitative

i) Univariate, bivariate, multivariate
ii) Level of measurement (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio)
iii) Descriptive Statistics: frequency distributions, central tendancy (mean, median, mode), variability (standard deviation, range), Normal distribution
iv) Test Statistics (nonparametric: Chi-square; parametric: correlation, t-test, ANOVA, regression)
v) Type I vs. Type II error
vi) Statistical significance or alpha or p

b) Qualitative

i) Constant Comparative Method
ii) Transcription
iii) Meaning units
iv) Coding (first and second level)
v) Triangulation, member checking
vi) Trustworthiness and Credibility
vii) Concept mapping

7) RESEARCH ETHICS AND HUMAN SUBJECTS INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB)

a) Subject selection and recruiment (equitable, coercion)
b) Risks to subjects
c) Minimization of potential risks
d) Risks reasonable in comparison to health benefits
e) Protection for subjects (informed consent)
f) Monitoring for subject safety as appropriate
g) Privacy for subjects
h) Confidentiality of subjects
i) Additional protection for vulnerable populations