SW650 Social Work Research Methods Exam Prep |
Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions &
Detailed Answers | Verified Q&A with Rationales | A+
Graded
SECTION 1: RESEARCH FOUNDATIONS AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE (Questions 1–30)
1. Which type of study is specifically designed to test hypotheses about causal relationships between
variables?
A. Descriptive study
B. Exploratory study
C. Explanatory study
D. Phenomenological study
Answer: C
Explanation: Explanatory studies are designed specifically to test hypotheses about causal relationships
between variables. Descriptive studies describe phenomena, exploratory studies generate initial
insights, and phenomenological studies focus on lived experiences.
2. A philosophical frame of reference for interpreting the world is referred to as a:
A. Paradigm
B. Theory
C. Hypothesis
D. Concept
Answer: A
,Explanation: A paradigm is a philosophical frame of reference or worldview that guides how researchers
interpret the world and conduct inquiry. Theories are explanations, hypotheses are testable predictions,
and concepts are abstract ideas.
3. A study that attempts to maximize precision and objectivity in testing whether an intervention
reduces an undesirable behavior is being guided by what paradigm?
A. Social constructivism
B. Interpretivism
C. Critical social science
D. Positivism
Answer: D
Explanation: Positivism emphasizes objectivity, precision, and empirical testing of hypotheses. It seeks to
discover universal laws through controlled, objective observation and measurement.
4. Which of the following statements is correct about evidencebased practice?
A. It combines practitioner expertise with client characteristics and best research evidence
B. It is a list of interventions that will be effective with every client
C. It refers to decisions about intervention effectiveness, only
D. Idiosyncratic client attributes should be ignored when selecting the best intervention
Answer: A
Explanation: Evidencebased practice integrates three components: the best available research evidence,
practitioner expertise, and client characteristics, values, and preferences. It is not a onesizefitsall
approach.
,5. What is the difference between a theoretical and an empirical article?
A. Theoretical articles present original research; empirical articles review existing research
B. Theoretical articles develop or critique concepts; empirical articles report original data collection and
analysis
C. Theoretical articles are always qualitative; empirical articles are always quantitative
D. There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
Answer: B
Explanation: Theoretical articles focus on developing, critiquing, or extending concepts and theories.
Empirical articles report original research involving data collection and analysis, whether quantitative or
qualitative.
6. Which of the following is NOT an answerable research question?
A. Are students from New York smarter than students from New Jersey?
B. Do students from New York have a higher pass rate on the LMSW exam than students from New
Jersey?
C. Do students from New York have a higher GPA than students from New Jersey?
D. Are students from New York spending more hours per week studying than students from New Jersey?
Answer: A
Explanation: "Are students from New York smarter than students from New Jersey?" is not answerable
because "smarter" is vague and not operationally defined. The other options specify measurable
variables (pass rate, GPA, study hours).
7. Which of the following statements is true about the need to critique research quality?
, A. Practitioners can rely on researchers to produce good studies and therefore only have to know the
results of those studies
B. If a research study gets published, practitioners can be assured that it is of high quality
C. Social work practitioners need to understand research methods so they can discriminate strong from
weak studies
D. There is no need to critique the quality of research
Answer: C
Explanation: Social work practitioners must understand research methods to critically evaluate the
quality of studies and make informed decisions about applying findings to practice. Publication does not
guarantee quality.
8. In social work, there is a scientific inquiry process that allows you to research assumptions. Which of
the following is NOT one of the four phases of this inquiry?
A. Testing the assumption to see to what extent it is true
B. Continually replicating your research study
C. Making an assumption on the basis of observations/measurements
D. Observing and/or measuring something about a person/object/event
Answer: B
Explanation: The four phases of scientific inquiry are: observing/measuring, making an assumption,
testing the assumption, and revising the assumption. Continually replicating the study is not one of the
four phases.
9. Which choice is an example of obtaining knowledge from authority?
A. Your supervisor says to do it this way
B. Your agency has always done it this way
Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions &
Detailed Answers | Verified Q&A with Rationales | A+
Graded
SECTION 1: RESEARCH FOUNDATIONS AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE (Questions 1–30)
1. Which type of study is specifically designed to test hypotheses about causal relationships between
variables?
A. Descriptive study
B. Exploratory study
C. Explanatory study
D. Phenomenological study
Answer: C
Explanation: Explanatory studies are designed specifically to test hypotheses about causal relationships
between variables. Descriptive studies describe phenomena, exploratory studies generate initial
insights, and phenomenological studies focus on lived experiences.
2. A philosophical frame of reference for interpreting the world is referred to as a:
A. Paradigm
B. Theory
C. Hypothesis
D. Concept
Answer: A
,Explanation: A paradigm is a philosophical frame of reference or worldview that guides how researchers
interpret the world and conduct inquiry. Theories are explanations, hypotheses are testable predictions,
and concepts are abstract ideas.
3. A study that attempts to maximize precision and objectivity in testing whether an intervention
reduces an undesirable behavior is being guided by what paradigm?
A. Social constructivism
B. Interpretivism
C. Critical social science
D. Positivism
Answer: D
Explanation: Positivism emphasizes objectivity, precision, and empirical testing of hypotheses. It seeks to
discover universal laws through controlled, objective observation and measurement.
4. Which of the following statements is correct about evidencebased practice?
A. It combines practitioner expertise with client characteristics and best research evidence
B. It is a list of interventions that will be effective with every client
C. It refers to decisions about intervention effectiveness, only
D. Idiosyncratic client attributes should be ignored when selecting the best intervention
Answer: A
Explanation: Evidencebased practice integrates three components: the best available research evidence,
practitioner expertise, and client characteristics, values, and preferences. It is not a onesizefitsall
approach.
,5. What is the difference between a theoretical and an empirical article?
A. Theoretical articles present original research; empirical articles review existing research
B. Theoretical articles develop or critique concepts; empirical articles report original data collection and
analysis
C. Theoretical articles are always qualitative; empirical articles are always quantitative
D. There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
Answer: B
Explanation: Theoretical articles focus on developing, critiquing, or extending concepts and theories.
Empirical articles report original research involving data collection and analysis, whether quantitative or
qualitative.
6. Which of the following is NOT an answerable research question?
A. Are students from New York smarter than students from New Jersey?
B. Do students from New York have a higher pass rate on the LMSW exam than students from New
Jersey?
C. Do students from New York have a higher GPA than students from New Jersey?
D. Are students from New York spending more hours per week studying than students from New Jersey?
Answer: A
Explanation: "Are students from New York smarter than students from New Jersey?" is not answerable
because "smarter" is vague and not operationally defined. The other options specify measurable
variables (pass rate, GPA, study hours).
7. Which of the following statements is true about the need to critique research quality?
, A. Practitioners can rely on researchers to produce good studies and therefore only have to know the
results of those studies
B. If a research study gets published, practitioners can be assured that it is of high quality
C. Social work practitioners need to understand research methods so they can discriminate strong from
weak studies
D. There is no need to critique the quality of research
Answer: C
Explanation: Social work practitioners must understand research methods to critically evaluate the
quality of studies and make informed decisions about applying findings to practice. Publication does not
guarantee quality.
8. In social work, there is a scientific inquiry process that allows you to research assumptions. Which of
the following is NOT one of the four phases of this inquiry?
A. Testing the assumption to see to what extent it is true
B. Continually replicating your research study
C. Making an assumption on the basis of observations/measurements
D. Observing and/or measuring something about a person/object/event
Answer: B
Explanation: The four phases of scientific inquiry are: observing/measuring, making an assumption,
testing the assumption, and revising the assumption. Continually replicating the study is not one of the
four phases.
9. Which choice is an example of obtaining knowledge from authority?
A. Your supervisor says to do it this way
B. Your agency has always done it this way
