Social Work Research and Evaluation Flashcards

In evidence-based practice (EBP), which hierarchy of evidence is generally considered the STRONGEST?

Answer: Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials

Meta-analyses pool data from multiple RCTs, providing the strongest statistical evidence about intervention effectiveness.

Reliability in a psychological assessment tool refers to:

Answer: The consistency of the tool's results across time, raters, or items

Reliability measures the consistency and stability of an assessment instrument, whether across time (test-retest), raters (inter-rater), or items (internal consistency).

A program evaluation that measures whether an intervention achieved its intended goals and outcomes is called:

Answer: Outcome evaluation

Outcome evaluation assesses whether a program achieved its goals, measuring the results or changes that occurred as a result of the intervention.

In research, the term 'operationalization' refers to:

Answer: Converting abstract concepts into measurable indicators

Operationalization is the process of defining abstract variables in specific, measurable terms so they can be studied empirically.

Which of the following BEST describes a Type I error in research?

Answer: Incorrectly concluding that an effect exists when it does not

A Type I error (false positive) occurs when the null hypothesis is rejected despite no real effect existing.

A social worker applying evidence-based practice should integrate research evidence with:

Answer: Research evidence, clinical expertise, and client values and preferences

EBP integrates the best available research evidence with clinician expertise and client values to guide decision-making.