The Social Work Student's Research Handbook Book

Preface
Introduction

Chapter 1. Problem Formulation: What to Study
Key Concepts
Selecting a Study Topic
Now What?
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 2. Using the Literature
Key Concepts
Introduction

Part 1: The Search

Part 2: Writing the Review
Major Points to Remember
Exercises

Chapter 3. Working from Questions or Hypotheses
Key Concepts
Introduction
Hypotheses and Questions
The Notion of Proof
Null Hypothesis
Is Question-Driven Research Real Research?
Major Points to Remember
Exercises

Chapter 4. Variables
Key Concepts
Introduction
Defining Variables
Measuring Variables
Major Points to Remember
Exercises

Chapter 5. Assumptions
Key Concepts
Introduction
Types of Assumptions
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 6. Design Options
Key Concepts
Introduction
From Purpose to Design
Constructive Combinations
Connections Give Direction
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 7. Exploratory Design
Key Concepts
Introduction
When to Use It
Three Common Approaches
Overview of Method
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 8. Descriptive Design
Key Concepts
Introduction
When to Use It
Overview of Method
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 9. Experimental Design
Key Concepts
Introduction
When to Use It
Concepts Basic to This Design
Overview of Method
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 10. Correlational Design
Key Concepts
Introduction
When to Use It
Correlation
Four Common Approaches
Overview of Method
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 11. Plausible Alternative Explanations
Key Concepts
Introduction
How Do They Fit In?
How Big a Worry Are They?
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 12. Practice Evaluation
Key Concepts
Introduction
When to Use It
Overview of Method
A Few Variations
Analysis
Choosing the System
Issues to Consider
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 13. Program Evaluation
Key Concepts
Introduction
Applying Design Types to Program Evaluation
Overview of Method
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 14. Working Toward Reliability and Validity
Key Concepts
Introduction
A Balancing Act: Purpose and Trade-Offs
Working Toward Reliability: The Rubber Ruler Pitfall
Working Toward Validity: Reaching the Heart of the Matter
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 15. Sampling
Key Concepts
Introduction
Going to the Source
Probability Samples: Forms and Methods
Nonprobability Samples: Forms and Methods
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 16. Data Collection
Key Concepts
Introduction
Observation
Interview
Questionnaire
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 17. Data Analysis: An Overview
Key Concepts
Introduction
Qualitative Data Analysis
Quantitative Data Analysis
The Great Debate: Qualitative versus Quantitative
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 18. Qualitative Data Analysis: Making Sense of Words
Key Concepts
Introduction
Issues to Consider
Carrying Out the Analysis
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 19. Quantitative Data Analysis: Making Sense of Descriptive
Statistics
Key Concepts
Introduction
Common Ways to Organize Descriptive Stats
Three Rules of Thumb
What Else Is Described?
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 20. Quantitative Data Analysis: Making Sense of Inferential
Statistics
Key Concepts
Introduction
How to Use Inferential Statistics
Three Related Laws of Probability
The Testing Process
Directionality
In a Nutshell
Significance Testing: Possibilities for Error
Statistical Significance versus Meaning
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 21. Tests of Statistical Significance
Key Concepts
Introduction
Choosing a Test
Common Tests of Group Difference
Common Tests of Association
Degrees of Freedom
Multivariate Analysis
Major Points to Remember
Exercise

Chapter 22. Wrapping It Up

Index
References