LMSW Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards

Which ethical principle in social work research requires that participation must be free from coercion and that participants fully understand what they are agreeing to?

Answer: Informed consent

Informed consent requires that participants voluntarily agree to participate after receiving complete, comprehensible information about the study's purpose, risks, and benefits.

A social worker uses a pre-test/post-test design with no control group to measure changes in clients after an intervention. This is an example of a:

Answer: Quasi-experimental design

A quasi-experimental design lacks random assignment or a proper control group, making causal conclusions less certain than in a true experiment.

Which sampling method involves every member of the population having an equal chance of being selected?

Answer: Simple random sampling

Simple random sampling gives every individual an equal probability of selection, which supports generalizability of findings to the broader population.

When a researcher measures what they intend to measure, the instrument is said to have:

Answer: Validity

Validity refers to the degree to which a measurement tool accurately captures the construct it is designed to measure.

Which research approach is BEST suited for exploring the lived experience of LMSW clients who have recovered from trauma?

Answer: Phenomenological study

Phenomenological research focuses on capturing and interpreting the subjective, lived experiences of participants in depth.

In program evaluation, a needs assessment is conducted PRIMARILY to:

Answer: Identify gaps between current services and community needs

A needs assessment identifies the difference between current service availability and what is actually needed by the target population to inform program planning.