Antoinette Y. Y. Farmer & G. Lawrence Lawrence Farmer 
Research Methods for Social Work [PDF ebook] 
A Problem-Based Approach

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1. Evidence-Based Practice
PBL Case 1: Neighborhood House and Social Isolation
Introduction
Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
Ways of Acquiring Knowledge
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Note
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Chapter 2. Research Ethics
PBL Case 2: Can I Really Conduct This Research Study?
Introduction
The Belmont Report
Institutional Review Board
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Note
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 3. The Research Process
PBL Case 3: Predictors of Bullying Behaviors
Introduction
Why Is Learning About Research Important for Your Professional Development?
What Is the Purpose of Research?
What Is Research Design?
The Research Process
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Chapter 4. Problem Formulation
PBL Case 4: Can I Really Conduct This Research Study?
Introduction
Problem Formulation Defined
The Importance of Conducting a Literature Review
Ethics and the Study Design
Diversity and the Research Question
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 5. Measurement
PBL Case 5: Should Maggie Really Be Using This Measure to Assess Kim’s Concerns?
Introduction
Measurement Defined
Conceptual Versus Operational Definition
Levels of Measurement
Sources of Measurement Error
Reliability and Validity
Selecting Standardized Measures
Constructing Measurement Instruments
Ethics and Measurement
Diversity and Measurement
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 6. Experimental Designs
PBL Case 6: Is This Parenting Program Effective for Adolescent Fathers?
Introduction
Experimental Research Designs Defined
Types of Experimental Research Designs
Ethics and Experimental Designs
Diversity and Experimental Designs
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 7. Quasi-Experimental Designs
PBL Case 7: What Are the Effects of a Diversion Program on Rearrest Rates, Re-Incarceration, and Mental Health Functioning?
Introduction
Quasi-Experimental Designs Defined
Types of Quasi-Experimental Designs
Ethics and Quasi-Experimental Designs
Diversity and Quasi-Experimental Designs
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 8. Qualitative Research
PBL Case 8: What Are the Perceptions of African American Adolescent Males About the Police?
Introduction
Qualitative Research Defined
Sampling Strategies Used in Qualitative Research
Types of Qualitative Research
Criteria for Ensuring the Trustworthiness of the Data
Ethics and Qualitative Research
Diversity and Qualitative Research
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 9. Mixed-Methods Research
PBL Case 9: An Evaluation of an Intervention Designed to Increase Knowledge About Opioids
Introduction
Mixed-Methods Research Defined
Sampling Strategies Used in Mixed-Methods Research
Ethics and Mixed-Methods Research
Diversity and Mixed-Methods Research
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 10. Observational Research
PBL Case 10: Prenatal Opioid Exposure: Implications for Children and Their Families
Introduction
Observational Research Defined
Types of Observational Research Designs
Ethics and Observational Research
Diversity and Observational Research
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 11. Sampling
PBL Case 11: Predictors of Bullying Behaviors: Variations Across Gender
Introduction
Terminology
Types of Sampling Strategies
Reasons Why Samples May Differ From the Population
Criteria for Evaluating the Quality of a Sample
Ethics and Sampling
Diversity and Sampling
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 12. Survey Research
PBL Case 12: Opioid Knowledge Among Older Adults
Introduction
Survey Research Defined
Sources of Errors Affecting Survey Research
Design Phases of the Survey
Methods of Data Collection Used in Survey Research
Response Rate
Ethics and Survey Research
Diversity and Survey Research
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 13. Quantitative Data Analysis
PBL Case 13: Is This Parenting Program Effective for Adolescent Fathers?
Introduction
What Type of Statistical Analysis Is Appropriate for Analyzing Your Data?
Key Statistics Concepts
Levels of Measurement
Coding of the Data
Statistical Analyses Used to Describe Data
Statistical Analyses Used to Assess the Degree of Relationship Among Variables
Statistical Analyses Used to Assess Significance of Group Differences
Ethics and Quantitative Data Analysis
Diversity and Quantitative Data Analysis
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 14. Qualitative Data Analysis
PBL Case 14: What Are the Perceptions of African American Adolescent Males About Police Brutality?
Introduction
Qualitative Data Analysis Defined
Phases of the Qualitative Data Analysis Process
Coding of the Data
Types of Qualitative Analyses
Criteria for Ensuring the Trustworthiness of the Data
Ethics and Qualitative Data Analysis
Diversity and Qualitative Data Analysis
Computer Programs for Qualitative Data
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 15. Single-Case Design Evaluation
PBL Case 15: Is Peer Mentoring Effective?
Introduction
Single-Case Design Evaluation Defined
What Needs to Be Done Prior to Conducting a Single-Case Design
Phases of the Single-Case Design Evaluation Process
Types of Single-Case Designs
Graphing and Analyzing the Data
Ethics and Single-Case Design Evaluation
Diversity and Single-Case Design Evaluation
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Chapter 16. Program Evaluation
PBL Case 16: Is Peer Mentoring Effective?
Introduction
Program Evaluation Defined
Program Logic Model
Types of Program Evaluations
Structure of an Evaluation Report
Ethics and Program Evaluation
Diversity and Program Evaluation
Summary, Review, and Assignments
Chapter Summary Organized by Learning Objectives
Key Terms
Competency Notes
Assessment Questions
End-of-Chapter Exercises
Additional Readings
Appendix: Guidelines for Writing a Research Proposal
References
Index

G. Lawrence Farmer, MSW, Ph D is an Associate Professor and Director of the Doctoral Program at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service.  His scholarly interests center on understanding those factors that promote the well-being of youth. He has published work in Social Service Review, Children and Schools, Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment and Social Work in Health Care, and Journal of Social Service Research.  Two of the projects he is presently involved in, Resilient Scholars and Westchester Building the Future, seeks to promote youth’s well-being. Both projects seek to increase protective and promotive factor by transforming institutions that provide services to youth.  The Resilient Scholars Program seeks promote positive youth development by developing the social and emotional learning competencies of middle and high school students.  Additionally, it seeks to develop a program implementation model that will build school’s capability to implement youth-centered interventions that will be sustained overtime. The Westchester Building the Future project is a collaboration between the Westchester County Department of Social Services, Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health and Fordham University to restructure services to youth transitioning out of the foster care system.  The goal is to empower youth in their efforts to successfully navigate the transition and to achieve changes in the system of care for youth in the system.