MSW Research and Program Evaluation 5 β Questions and Answers
Question 1: 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:
- Meta-analysis (Correct answer)
- Narrative review
- Content analysis
- Case comparison
Correct answer: Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis statistically combines effect sizes from multiple studies to produce an overall estimate of treatment effectiveness.
Question 2: Which concept refers to the degree to which findings from a qualitative study can be transferred to other contexts?
- Transferability (Correct answer)
- Reliability
- Objectivity
- Internal validity
Correct answer: Transferability
Transferability is the qualitative parallel to external validity and depends on the researcher providing thick description so readers can judge applicability.
Question 3: A program serving unhoused youth conducts an outcome evaluation six months after discharge. The most appropriate measure of housing stability would be:
- Number of nights in stable housing during the follow-up period (Correct answer)
- Client satisfaction scores at discharge
- Staff caseload size during the program
- Number of referrals made by case managers
Correct 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.
Question 4: Which ethical obligation requires researchers to store data securely and destroy identifying information after the required retention period?
- Confidentiality protection (Correct answer)
- Informed consent
- Beneficence
- Voluntary participation
Correct answer: Confidentiality protection
Confidentiality protection requires researchers to safeguard participant data and prevent unauthorized disclosure of identifying information.
Question 5: In program evaluation, a 'summative evaluation' is best described as:
- An assessment of overall program effectiveness conducted at the end of a program cycle (Correct answer)
- Ongoing monitoring to improve program delivery during implementation
- A cost-benefit analysis prior to program launch
- A needs assessment identifying target population gaps
Correct 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.
Question 6: A social work researcher reports that income significantly predicts mental health outcomes (Ξ² = 0.45, p < .001). The Ξ² coefficient indicates:
- The direction and relative strength of the relationship between income and mental health in a regression model (Correct answer)
- The probability of a Type I error
- The percentage of variance explained by income alone
- That income causes improved mental health
Correct answer: The direction and relative strength of the relationship between income and mental health in a regression model
A standardized regression coefficient (Ξ²) indicates the direction and magnitude of a predictor's relationship with the outcome, controlling for other variables.
Question 7: Which approach to ensuring rigor in qualitative research involves having participants review and confirm the accuracy of findings?
- Member checking (Correct answer)
- Peer debriefing
- Audit trail
- Negative case analysis
Correct answer: Member checking
Member checking (respondent validation) enhances credibility by returning findings to participants to verify that interpretations accurately reflect their experiences.
MSW Research and Program Evaluation 5
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: