Research and Program Evaluation Flashcards
7 cards from real MSW 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 and Program Evaluation flashcards as text
A social work researcher wants to synthesize quantitative findings from multiple studies on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression. The most appropriate method is:
Answer: Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis statistically combines effect sizes from multiple studies to produce an overall estimate of treatment effectiveness.
Which concept refers to the degree to which findings from a qualitative study can be transferred to other contexts?
Answer: Transferability
Transferability is the qualitative parallel to external validity and depends on the researcher providing thick description so readers can judge applicability.
A program serving unhoused youth conducts an outcome evaluation six months after discharge. The most appropriate measure of housing stability would be:
Answer: Number of nights in stable housing during the follow-up period
Nights in stable housing directly operationalizes housing stability as a concrete, countable outcome for the follow-up period.
Which ethical obligation requires researchers to store data securely and destroy identifying information after the required retention period?
Answer: Confidentiality protection
Confidentiality protection requires researchers to safeguard participant data and prevent unauthorized disclosure of identifying information.
In program evaluation, a 'summative evaluation' is best described as:
Answer: An assessment of overall program effectiveness conducted at the end of a program cycle
Summative evaluation judges overall program merit or worth, typically after a full program cycle, to inform decisions about continuation or expansion.
A social work researcher reports that income significantly predicts mental health outcomes (β = 0.45, p < .001). The β coefficient indicates:
Answer: The direction and relative strength of the relationship between income and mental health in a regression model
A standardized regression coefficient (β) indicates the direction and magnitude of a predictor's relationship with the outcome, controlling for other variables.
Which approach to ensuring rigor in qualitative research involves having participants review and confirm the accuracy of findings?
Answer: Member checking
Member checking (respondent validation) enhances credibility by returning findings to participants to verify that interpretations accurately reflect their experiences.