MSW Social Work Research and Policy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which research design is BEST suited for exploring how trauma survivors make meaning of their experiences over time?
- Randomized controlled trial
- Longitudinal qualitative narrative inquiry (Correct answer)
- Cross-sectional survey
- Single-subject ABAB design
Correct answer: Longitudinal qualitative narrative inquiry
Longitudinal qualitative narrative inquiry captures the evolving meaning-making process over time, which quantitative or cross-sectional designs cannot.
Question 2: A social worker finds that a new intervention has a statistically significant effect (p=0.03) but a very small effect size (d=0.05). What is the most appropriate conclusion?
- The intervention is clinically meaningful and should be implemented broadly
- Statistical significance alone confirms practical importance
- The effect is statistically detectable but likely not clinically meaningful (Correct answer)
- A p-value below 0.05 always indicates a strong effect
Correct answer: The effect is statistically detectable but likely not clinically meaningful
Statistical significance with a very small effect size indicates the finding may lack practical or clinical importance despite meeting the significance threshold.
Question 3: Under the Social Security Act Title IV-E, federal funds are provided to states primarily for which purpose?
- Universal preschool education
- Foster care and adoption assistance (Correct answer)
- Adult protective services investigations
- Substance abuse treatment grants
Correct answer: Foster care and adoption assistance
Title IV-E of the Social Security Act specifically funds foster care maintenance payments and adoption assistance programs.
Question 4: Which ethical principle is MOST at risk when a researcher recruits participants from their own therapy caseload?
- Beneficence
- Justice
- Voluntary participation and avoidance of dual relationships (Correct answer)
- Fidelity to sponsors
Correct answer: Voluntary participation and avoidance of dual relationships
Recruiting clients from one's own caseload creates a dual relationship and compromises voluntariness because clients may feel coerced by the power differential.
Question 5: The concept of 'policy drift' in social welfare refers to which phenomenon?
- Intentional policy reform through legislative action
- Gradual change in policy impact as social context shifts without formal amendment (Correct answer)
- The spread of a policy model from one state to another
- Bureaucratic failure to implement a newly enacted law
Correct answer: Gradual change in policy impact as social context shifts without formal amendment
Policy drift occurs when a policy's real-world effects change over time due to shifts in the economic or social environment, even though the policy text remains unchanged.
Question 6: In evidence-based practice, the acronym PICO is used to formulate research questions. What does the 'C' stand for?
- Client
- Comparison intervention (Correct answer)
- Cost-effectiveness
- Cultural context
Correct answer: Comparison intervention
In PICO, C stands for Comparison, referring to the alternative intervention or control condition against which the primary intervention is measured.
Question 7: Which policy advocacy strategy involves social workers using voter data and direct outreach to mobilize clients and community members to vote on a specific ballot initiative?
- Legislative testimony
- Grassroots electoral organizing (Correct answer)
- Amicus curiae brief filing
- Regulatory comment submission
Correct answer: Grassroots electoral organizing
Grassroots electoral organizing uses community outreach and voter mobilization to influence election outcomes on issues affecting clients.
