Research Made Simple: A Handbook for Social Workers

Raymond Mark has extended his choreography of a modern ballet of social work research, continuing to combine the classical integrity of statistical techniques with the latest problems of planning and implementation, a kind of researcher′s ′rodeo.′. . . One hopes this book′s use as a teaching instrument, and its application as a research stimulus and guide, will encourage both students and practitioners to work harder at achieving a sounder integration of theory and practice in social work. --from the Foreword by Chauncey A. Alexander Designed to provide students with a nontechnical, easy-to-understand guide, Research Made Simple will help relieve the anxiety often associated with research methods courses. Author Raymond Mark provides the raw materials that will allow students to read a research report, understand its findings, and judge the accuracy of its conclusion. This concise, practical volume covers the full range of material presented in most social science research methods courses, but can also be used as a "how-to" guide for professionals on the basics of the research process. The topics covered range from basic concepts about the scientific method, fundamental terms, and the initial steps of the research process, to developing and implementing a complete research plan. Separate in-depth chapters discuss research ethics, qualitative approaches, program evaluation, statistical hypothesis testing, and computer applications for researchers. A unique feature of this volume is the presence of an entire chapter devoted to gender- and culture-sensitive research that addresses the increasing need for diversity in research. Each chapter concludes with end-of-chapter discussion questions and short assignments for review. Equipped with tables, appendixes, and a glossary, this user-friendly volume will make research methods highly approachable. Research Made Simple will prove to be an invaluable resource for beginning classes in research methods at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and it will provide a solid foundation for those pursuing advanced studies of research methods.

Table of Contents:
Foreword - Chauncey A Alexander Research and the Scientific Method Understanding Research Vocabulary Ethics Gender- and Culture-Sensitive Research Defining a Research Problem and Using the Library to Search the Literature Sampling Group Research Designs An Alternative to Group Research Designs The Logic of Elaboration An Alternative to Group Research Designs Single-Subject Designs Qualitative Research Program Evaluation Sources of Data Questionnaires, Interviews, Schedules, and Available Materials Measurement Reliability and Validity of Measurement How to Analyze Data Statistical Hypothesis Testing Computer Uses