SW650 – SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH METHODS Study Guide
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Question 1 of 50
A social work researcher wants to understand the lived experiences of homeless youth in
an urban shelter. The researcher conducts in-depth interviews and spends time at the
shelter to observe daily interactions. The goal is to develop a rich, detailed
understanding of the youth's perspectives.
Which research paradigm is most consistent with this approach?
A. Positivism
B. Interpretivism
C. Post-positivism
D. Critical theory
Rationale:
The correct answer is B. Interpretivism. Interpretivism (or constructivism) is a research
paradigm that emphasizes understanding the subjective meanings and experiences of
individuals. It relies on qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews and participant
observation to explore how people interpret their social world. Positivism (A) relies on
objective measurement and quantitative data. Post-positivism (C) acknowledges that
absolute truth may not be attainable but still uses quantitative methods. Critical theory
(D) focuses on power imbalances and social change.
,Question 2 of 50
A researcher is studying the effectiveness of a new cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
program for reducing anxiety in adolescents. Participants are randomly assigned to
either the CBT program or a waitlist control group. Anxiety is measured before and after
the intervention using a standardized scale.
What type of research design is this?
A. Quasi-experimental design
B. Pre-experimental design
C. Experimental design
D. Correlational design
Rationale:
The correct answer is C. Experimental design. An experimental design is characterized by
random assignment to groups, manipulation of an independent variable (the CBT
program), and control of extraneous variables. The use of a control group and pre-
test/post-test measures further strengthens the design. Quasi-experimental designs (A)
lack random assignment. Pre-experimental designs (B) lack a control group or random
assignment. Correlational designs (D) examine relationships without manipulation.
Question 3 of 50
A social work researcher wants to explore the relationship between childhood trauma
and adult depression. She administers a survey to 500 adults that measures both trauma
history and depressive symptoms. She then calculates a correlation coefficient.
Which type of research is this?
,A. Descriptive research
B. Explanatory research
C. Exploratory research
D. Evaluation research
Rationale:
The correct answer is B. Explanatory research. Explanatory research seeks to explain
relationships between variables and test hypotheses. In this case, the researcher is
examining whether childhood trauma is related to adult depression. Descriptive research
(A) describes characteristics of a population. Exploratory research (C) is used when little is
known about a topic. Evaluation research (D) assesses the effectiveness of a program or
intervention.
Question 4 of 50
A researcher is conducting a study on the effectiveness of a parenting intervention for
low-income families. She wants to ensure that the sample is representative of the
broader population of low-income families in the city.
Which sampling method is most appropriate?
A. Convenience sampling
B. Snowball sampling
C. Stratified random sampling
D. Quota sampling
Rationale:
The correct answer is C. Stratified random sampling. Stratified random sampling involves
dividing the population into subgroups (strata) based on relevant characteristics (e.g.,
income level, race, family size) and then randomly selecting participants from each
, stratum. This ensures that the sample is representative of the population. Convenience
sampling (A) and snowball sampling (B) are non-probability methods that may introduce
bias. Quota sampling (D) is a non-probability method that aims to match population
proportions but lacks random selection.
Question 5 of 50
A social work researcher is interested in studying the experiences of undocumented
immigrants. Because this population is hard to reach and distrustful of authorities, the
researcher asks initial participants to refer other potential participants.
Which sampling method is being used?
A. Purposive sampling
B. Snowball sampling
C. Convenience sampling
D. Theoretical sampling
Rationale:
The correct answer is B. Snowball sampling. Snowball sampling is a non-probability
sampling technique used to recruit hard-to-reach populations. Initial participants are
asked to refer others who meet the study criteria. Purposive sampling (A) involves selecting
participants based on specific characteristics. Convenience sampling (C) involves selecting
participants who are easily accessible. Theoretical sampling (D) is used in grounded theory
to develop theory.
Question 6 of 50
UP-TO-DATE EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% ACCURATE
SOLUTIONS | VERIFIED ANSWERS - INSTANT PDF
DOWNLOAD.
Question 1 of 50
A social work researcher wants to understand the lived experiences of homeless youth in
an urban shelter. The researcher conducts in-depth interviews and spends time at the
shelter to observe daily interactions. The goal is to develop a rich, detailed
understanding of the youth's perspectives.
Which research paradigm is most consistent with this approach?
A. Positivism
B. Interpretivism
C. Post-positivism
D. Critical theory
Rationale:
The correct answer is B. Interpretivism. Interpretivism (or constructivism) is a research
paradigm that emphasizes understanding the subjective meanings and experiences of
individuals. It relies on qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews and participant
observation to explore how people interpret their social world. Positivism (A) relies on
objective measurement and quantitative data. Post-positivism (C) acknowledges that
absolute truth may not be attainable but still uses quantitative methods. Critical theory
(D) focuses on power imbalances and social change.
,Question 2 of 50
A researcher is studying the effectiveness of a new cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
program for reducing anxiety in adolescents. Participants are randomly assigned to
either the CBT program or a waitlist control group. Anxiety is measured before and after
the intervention using a standardized scale.
What type of research design is this?
A. Quasi-experimental design
B. Pre-experimental design
C. Experimental design
D. Correlational design
Rationale:
The correct answer is C. Experimental design. An experimental design is characterized by
random assignment to groups, manipulation of an independent variable (the CBT
program), and control of extraneous variables. The use of a control group and pre-
test/post-test measures further strengthens the design. Quasi-experimental designs (A)
lack random assignment. Pre-experimental designs (B) lack a control group or random
assignment. Correlational designs (D) examine relationships without manipulation.
Question 3 of 50
A social work researcher wants to explore the relationship between childhood trauma
and adult depression. She administers a survey to 500 adults that measures both trauma
history and depressive symptoms. She then calculates a correlation coefficient.
Which type of research is this?
,A. Descriptive research
B. Explanatory research
C. Exploratory research
D. Evaluation research
Rationale:
The correct answer is B. Explanatory research. Explanatory research seeks to explain
relationships between variables and test hypotheses. In this case, the researcher is
examining whether childhood trauma is related to adult depression. Descriptive research
(A) describes characteristics of a population. Exploratory research (C) is used when little is
known about a topic. Evaluation research (D) assesses the effectiveness of a program or
intervention.
Question 4 of 50
A researcher is conducting a study on the effectiveness of a parenting intervention for
low-income families. She wants to ensure that the sample is representative of the
broader population of low-income families in the city.
Which sampling method is most appropriate?
A. Convenience sampling
B. Snowball sampling
C. Stratified random sampling
D. Quota sampling
Rationale:
The correct answer is C. Stratified random sampling. Stratified random sampling involves
dividing the population into subgroups (strata) based on relevant characteristics (e.g.,
income level, race, family size) and then randomly selecting participants from each
, stratum. This ensures that the sample is representative of the population. Convenience
sampling (A) and snowball sampling (B) are non-probability methods that may introduce
bias. Quota sampling (D) is a non-probability method that aims to match population
proportions but lacks random selection.
Question 5 of 50
A social work researcher is interested in studying the experiences of undocumented
immigrants. Because this population is hard to reach and distrustful of authorities, the
researcher asks initial participants to refer other potential participants.
Which sampling method is being used?
A. Purposive sampling
B. Snowball sampling
C. Convenience sampling
D. Theoretical sampling
Rationale:
The correct answer is B. Snowball sampling. Snowball sampling is a non-probability
sampling technique used to recruit hard-to-reach populations. Initial participants are
asked to refer others who meet the study criteria. Purposive sampling (A) involves selecting
participants based on specific characteristics. Convenience sampling (C) involves selecting
participants who are easily accessible. Theoretical sampling (D) is used in grounded theory
to develop theory.
Question 6 of 50
