SW650 – SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH
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EXAM Practice Questions And Correct
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1. What is the primary purpose of social work research?
A. To replace professional judgment
B. To generate systematic knowledge that can improve social work
practice and policy
C. To eliminate the need for client preferences
D. To guarantee a particular intervention will work
Answer: B. To generate systematic knowledge that can improve
social work practice and policy
Rationale: Social work research produces systematic evidence that
can inform assessment, intervention, evaluation, policy, and practice
decisions.
2. Which characteristic distinguishes empirical research from
personal opinion?
A. Empirical research relies primarily on intuition.
B. Empirical research is based on systematic observation or evidence.
C. Empirical research cannot involve qualitative data.
D. Empirical research never involves theory.
Answer: B. Empirical research is based on systematic observation or
evidence.
,Rationale: Empirical research derives conclusions from systematically
collected evidence rather than unsupported personal beliefs.
3. Which type of research primarily seeks to expand theoretical
knowledge?
A. Basic research
B. Applied research
C. Program evaluation
D. Practice evaluation
Answer: A. Basic research
Rationale: Basic research develops knowledge and theory without
requiring an immediate practical application.
4. Applied research is primarily concerned with:
A. Solving or informing practical problems
B. Avoiding real-world settings
C. Eliminating theory
D. Studying only historical events
Answer: A. Solving or informing practical problems
Rationale: Applied research addresses practical problems and can
directly inform interventions, programs, services, or policy.
5. Which research purpose focuses on learning more about a
relatively unfamiliar phenomenon?
A. Exploratory
B. Evaluative
C. Predictive
D. Replicative
,Answer: A. Exploratory
Rationale: Exploratory research is useful when knowledge about a
topic is limited and researchers need to develop an initial
understanding.
6. A study documenting the percentage of adolescents experiencing
housing instability is primarily:
A. Descriptive
B. Experimental
C. Phenomenological
D. Causal
Answer: A. Descriptive
Rationale: Descriptive research characterizes the frequency,
distribution, or attributes of a phenomenon.
7. A researcher asks why participation in a mentoring program is
associated with improved school attendance. This primarily
represents which research purpose?
A. Description
B. Explanation
C. Enumeration
D. Classification
Answer: B. Explanation
Rationale: Explanatory research seeks to understand relationships
and possible reasons for observed outcomes.
8. What is a research hypothesis?
, A. A testable prediction concerning variables or relationships
B. A summary of all previous research
C. A final research conclusion
D. An ethical approval document
Answer: A. A testable prediction concerning variables or
relationships
Rationale: A hypothesis states a proposition that can be empirically
examined.
9. The null hypothesis generally states that:
A. A strong relationship definitely exists
B. No statistically meaningful relationship or difference exists
C. The intervention will be successful
D. The researcher has proven causation
Answer: B. No statistically meaningful relationship or difference
exists
Rationale: The null hypothesis generally represents no effect,
difference, or relationship in the population.
10. A hypothesis predicting that increased social support is
associated with decreased loneliness is:
A. Nondirectional
B. Directional
C. Null
D. Post hoc
Answer: B. Directional
Rationale: The hypothesis specifies the expected direction of the
relationship.
METHODS Study Guide UP-TO-DATE
EXAM Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2027 Q&A| Instant Download
Pdf.
1. What is the primary purpose of social work research?
A. To replace professional judgment
B. To generate systematic knowledge that can improve social work
practice and policy
C. To eliminate the need for client preferences
D. To guarantee a particular intervention will work
Answer: B. To generate systematic knowledge that can improve
social work practice and policy
Rationale: Social work research produces systematic evidence that
can inform assessment, intervention, evaluation, policy, and practice
decisions.
2. Which characteristic distinguishes empirical research from
personal opinion?
A. Empirical research relies primarily on intuition.
B. Empirical research is based on systematic observation or evidence.
C. Empirical research cannot involve qualitative data.
D. Empirical research never involves theory.
Answer: B. Empirical research is based on systematic observation or
evidence.
,Rationale: Empirical research derives conclusions from systematically
collected evidence rather than unsupported personal beliefs.
3. Which type of research primarily seeks to expand theoretical
knowledge?
A. Basic research
B. Applied research
C. Program evaluation
D. Practice evaluation
Answer: A. Basic research
Rationale: Basic research develops knowledge and theory without
requiring an immediate practical application.
4. Applied research is primarily concerned with:
A. Solving or informing practical problems
B. Avoiding real-world settings
C. Eliminating theory
D. Studying only historical events
Answer: A. Solving or informing practical problems
Rationale: Applied research addresses practical problems and can
directly inform interventions, programs, services, or policy.
5. Which research purpose focuses on learning more about a
relatively unfamiliar phenomenon?
A. Exploratory
B. Evaluative
C. Predictive
D. Replicative
,Answer: A. Exploratory
Rationale: Exploratory research is useful when knowledge about a
topic is limited and researchers need to develop an initial
understanding.
6. A study documenting the percentage of adolescents experiencing
housing instability is primarily:
A. Descriptive
B. Experimental
C. Phenomenological
D. Causal
Answer: A. Descriptive
Rationale: Descriptive research characterizes the frequency,
distribution, or attributes of a phenomenon.
7. A researcher asks why participation in a mentoring program is
associated with improved school attendance. This primarily
represents which research purpose?
A. Description
B. Explanation
C. Enumeration
D. Classification
Answer: B. Explanation
Rationale: Explanatory research seeks to understand relationships
and possible reasons for observed outcomes.
8. What is a research hypothesis?
, A. A testable prediction concerning variables or relationships
B. A summary of all previous research
C. A final research conclusion
D. An ethical approval document
Answer: A. A testable prediction concerning variables or
relationships
Rationale: A hypothesis states a proposition that can be empirically
examined.
9. The null hypothesis generally states that:
A. A strong relationship definitely exists
B. No statistically meaningful relationship or difference exists
C. The intervention will be successful
D. The researcher has proven causation
Answer: B. No statistically meaningful relationship or difference
exists
Rationale: The null hypothesis generally represents no effect,
difference, or relationship in the population.
10. A hypothesis predicting that increased social support is
associated with decreased loneliness is:
A. Nondirectional
B. Directional
C. Null
D. Post hoc
Answer: B. Directional
Rationale: The hypothesis specifies the expected direction of the
relationship.
