LCSW Social Work Research and Evaluation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In evidence-based practice (EBP), which hierarchy of evidence is generally considered the STRONGEST?
- Expert clinical opinion
- Case studies
- Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (Correct answer)
- Cohort studies
Correct answer: Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials
Meta-analyses pool data from multiple RCTs, providing the strongest statistical evidence about intervention effectiveness.
Question 2: Reliability in a psychological assessment tool refers to:
- The tool's ability to measure what it claims to measure
- The consistency of the tool's results across time, raters, or items (Correct answer)
- The tool's cultural fairness across diverse populations
- The tool's sensitivity to detecting clinical change
Correct 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).
Question 3: A program evaluation that measures whether an intervention achieved its intended goals and outcomes is called:
- Process evaluation
- Needs assessment
- Outcome evaluation (Correct answer)
- Cost-benefit analysis
Correct 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.
Question 4: In research, the term 'operationalization' refers to:
- Converting abstract concepts into measurable indicators (Correct answer)
- Implementing an evidence-based intervention in practice
- Translating research findings into policy recommendations
- Managing logistical aspects of a research study
Correct 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.
Question 5: Which of the following BEST describes a Type I error in research?
- Failing to detect a real effect that exists
- Incorrectly concluding that an effect exists when it does not (Correct answer)
- Using an invalid measurement tool
- Recruiting a non-representative sample
Correct 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.
Question 6: A social worker applying evidence-based practice should integrate research evidence with:
- Only the latest published randomized controlled trials
- Research evidence, clinical expertise, and client values and preferences (Correct answer)
- Agency policies and funding requirements
- Supervisor recommendations and peer consultation only
Correct 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.
LCSW Social Work Research and Evaluation 2
In evidence-based practice (EBP), which hierarchy of evidence is generally considered the STRONGEST?