Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards
7 cards from real LSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice flashcards as text
In evidence-based practice, which of the following best describes the primary decision-making framework?
Answer: Integrating best available research, clinical expertise, and client values
Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and client values and preferences to guide intervention decisions.
Which research design is most appropriate for establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between an intervention and an outcome?
Answer: Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Randomized controlled trials, with random assignment to treatment and control groups, are considered the gold standard for establishing causal relationships.
A social worker wants to understand the lived experiences of homeless veterans. Which research approach is most appropriate?
Answer: Qualitative interviews or focus groups
Qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups are best suited for exploring subjective experiences and personal meanings.
What is the primary purpose of a control group in experimental research?
Answer: To provide a baseline for comparison with the treatment group
A control group provides a comparison baseline, allowing researchers to determine whether changes in the treatment group are due to the intervention.
Which of the following best defines 'reliability' in research measurement?
Answer: The consistency of a measure across repeated administrations
Reliability refers to the consistency or repeatability of a measure — a reliable instrument produces the same results under the same conditions.
When conducting research with vulnerable populations, which ethical principle requires that participants understand and freely agree to participate?
Answer: Informed consent
Informed consent ensures that participants understand the nature, risks, and benefits of the research and voluntarily agree to participate without coercion.
A social worker reviews multiple published studies on a specific intervention before implementing it with clients. This process most closely reflects which step of evidence-based practice?
Answer: Searching for and critically appraising the best evidence
Reviewing and critically appraising existing research to find the best evidence is a core step in the evidence-based practice process.