SWRK 2127AE WEEK THREE

Course Overview

• Course Title: SWRK 2127AE: Introduction to Social Work Research

• Instructor: Dr. Suleyman Demi

• Contact: suleyman.demi@algomau.ca

• Office Hours: By Appointment

• Schedule: Tuesdays, 7 - 10 PM

• Location: Zoom Hybrid

Week Three: Research Designs - Participatory Action Research

• Agenda:

  • I. Community news

  • II. Presentation/Lecture

  • III. Class Discussion

  • IV. Wrap Up

Research Design Introduction

• Definition: A framework for the collection and analysis of data.

• Key Questions:

  • What do I want to learn?

  • What is the nature of the research question?

  • What kind of explanation do I want?

• Types of Explanations:

  • Nomothetic: Focuses on cause-and-effect with general laws (quantitative).

  • Idiographic: Focuses on rich descriptions and particularities (qualitative).

Nomothetic Explanations

• Characteristics:

  • Based on general law principles.

  • Involves three criteria of causation:

    • Correlation

    • Time Order

    • Non-spuriousness

Idiographic Explanations

• Characteristics:

  • Provides rich descriptions of individuals/groups.

  • Seeks empathetic understanding rather than general applicability.

Data Collection Methods

• Options include:

  • Questionnaires

  • Structured Interviews

  • Participant Observation

  • Ethnography

  • Experiments

Research Designs Overview

• Types of Research Designs:

  • Experimental Design

  • Cross-sectional Design

  • Longitudinal Design

  • Case Study Design

Experimental Design

• Characteristics:

  • True experiments are common in psychology but rare in sociology.

  • Ethical concerns and complexity of social phenomena limit experimentation.

• Types of Experiments:

  • Field Experiments: Conducted in real-life surroundings.

  • Laboratory Experiments: Conducted in controlled environments, with enhanced internal validity but lower external validity.

Manipulation of Variables

• Variables Defined: Characteristics or attributes of data.

  • Independent Variables: Manipulated to observe effects on dependent variables.

  • Dependent Variables: Outcomes measured (e.g., headache pain).

Key Concepts in Experimental Design

• Experimental Group: Receives treatment.

• Control Group: Does not receive treatment.

• Random Assignment: Participants are randomly placed in groups.

• Pre-test/Post-test: Measurements taken before and after manipulation.

Classic Experimental Design Process

• Dependent variables identified and measured (pre-test) in both groups.

• Treatment administered to the experimental group.

• Post-test measurements recorded to assess changes.

Internal Validity Concerns

• Definition: Integrity of conclusions drawn from research.

• Threats Identified:

  • History, Testing, Instrumentation, Mortality, Maturation, Selection

• Examples of Threats:

  • Changes in income influenced by factors other than education.

Measurement Validity

• Definition: Ensures the correct aspects are measured.

• Examples include the validity of crime statistics in representing crime rates.

External Validity Considerations

• Concerns:

  • Applicability of findings outside the study environment.

  • Generalizability of findings to other populations and settings.

• Threats Include:

  • Non-representative samples, environmental differences, historical effects, etc.

Replicability

• Definition: Consistency of results across repeated studies.

• Importance of clear procedural outlines for research.

The Laboratory Experiment

• Advantages: Greater control over environments and random assignment.

• Limitations: Possible low external validity.

Quasi-Experiments

• Characteristics: Harder to establish internal validity; can involve naturally occurring changes.

Cross-Sectional Design

• Definition: Observations taken at one point in time without manipulation of independent variables.

• Limitations: Issues with establishing direction of causation and external validity.

Longitudinal Designs

• Characteristics: Data collected at multiple times to observe changes.

• Types:

  • Panel Study: Same subjects over time.

  • Cohort Study: Different subjects sharing an experience over time.

Case Study Design

• Definition: In-depth study of a single case (person, family, organization, event).

• Strengths: Detailed characteristics and insights.

Types of Cases in Research

• Critical Case: Tests hypotheses.

• Extreme Case: Sheds light on common patterns through unique cases.

• Revelatory Case: Explores previously unstudied subjects.

Research Strategy Overview

• Differences in general research orientation between designs:

  • Experimental: Quantitative comparisons.

  • Cross-sectional: Surveys at one time.

  • Longitudinal: Studies over time.

  • Case Study: Intensive single-case research.

Participatory Action Research (PAR)

• Definition: Collaborative, equal partnership among community members and researchers.

• Key Strengths: Integration of theoretical expertise with real-world knowledge for impactful outcomes.

Cultural Considerations in PAR

• Emphasizes cultural humility and safety in partnerships, critical for trust and respect in vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

• Thank You for Participation!

• Next Meeting: See you next week.

Course Overview

Course Title:

SWRK 2127AE: Introduction to Social Work Research

Instructor:

Dr. Suleyman DemiContact: suleyman.demi@algomau.caOffice Hours: By Appointment

Schedule:

• Days: Tuesdays

• Time: 7 - 10 PM

• Location: Zoom Hybrid

Week Three: Research Designs - Participatory Action Research

Agenda:

I. Community NewsII. Presentation/LectureIII. Class DiscussionIV. Wrap Up

Research Design Introduction

• Definition: A research design is a detailed plan that outlines how data will be collected and analyzed, effectively serving as a blueprint for the research study.

• Key Questions to Consider:

  • What specific information or insights do I want to learn from this research?

  • What is the nature and scope of the research question I am investigating?

  • What kind of explanation or understanding do I seek from the results of my study?

Types of Explanations:

1. Nomothetic Explanations:

   • Focuses on deriving general laws and understanding cause-and-effect relationships often through quantitative data.

   • Characteristics: Aims for predictability and generalizability across populations.

2. Idiographic Explanations:

   • Emphasizes understanding the complexity of individual cases through qualitative data.

   • Characteristics: Seeks to provide rich and detailed descriptions which allow for deeper contextual understanding.

Nomothetic Explanations

Characteristics:

• Based on established general law principles and theoretical frameworks.

• Involves three critical criteria of causation:

  • Correlation: A relationship between two variables.

  • Time Order: Establishing which variable precedes the other.

  • Non-spuriousness: Ensuring that the relationship is not influenced by a third variable.

Idiographic Explanations

Characteristics:

• Provides detailed narratives about individuals or groups, emphasizing subjective experiences.

• Seeks empathetic understanding rather than aiming for broad applicability of findings.

Data Collection Methods

Common methods include:

• Questionnaires: Structured tools enabling standardized data collection.

• Structured Interviews: Pre-determined questions ensure consistency in responses.

• Participant Observation: Researcher engages and observes within the community context.

• Ethnography: In-depth cultural investigation of community practices over time.

• Experiments: Controlled studies examining variable interactions.

Research Designs Overview

Types of Research Designs:

1. Experimental Design:

   • Often used in psychology, focuses on manipulation and control of variables.

2. Cross-sectional Design:

   • Data collected at one point in time, useful for assessing social phenomena at a glance.

3. Longitudinal Design:

   • Involves repeated observations to track changes over time.

4. Case Study Design:

   • Intensive exploration of a single case or group, providing profound insights.

Experimental Design

Characteristics:

• Although true experiments are prevalent in psychology, they are rare in sociology due to ethical concerns and the complexity of human behavior.

Types of Experiments:

• Field Experiments: Conducted in natural settings, allowing for real-world relevance.

• Laboratory Experiments: Conducted in controlled conditions, enhancing internal validity but potentially limiting external validity.

Manipulation of Variables

Variables Defined: Characteristics that can change or vary.

• Independent Variables: Those that are manipulated to observe changes in dependent variables.

• Dependent Variables: The outcomes being measured, such as health outcomes or behavioral changes.

Key Concepts in Experimental Design

• Experimental Group: Receives the treatment or intervention.

• Control Group: Does not receive the treatment, serving as a comparison.

• Random Assignment: Ensures each participant has an equal chance of being placed in any group, reducing bias.

• Pre-test/Post-test: Measurements are taken before and after the treatment to assess impact.

Classic Experimental Design Process

1. Identify and measure dependent variables before treatment (pre-test).

2. Administer the treatment to the experimental group.

3. Record post-test measurements to analyze changes resulting from the treatment.

Internal Validity Concerns

• Definition: The degree to which the study accurately reflects the true effect of the intervention on the participants.

• Threats to Internal Validity: Include history, testing, instrumentation, mortality, maturation, and selection biases.

Examples of Threats:

• Changes in participants' outcomes influenced by external events (e.g., changes in economic status due to unrelated circumstances).

Measurement Validity

• Definition: Ensures that the research accurately measures what it intends to assess.

• Examples: Includes ensuring that crime statistics reflect actual crime rates rather than errors in data collection.

External Validity Considerations

• Concerns: The extent to which findings can be generalized beyond the study conditions and to other populations or settings.

• Threats Include: Non-representative samples, significant environmental differences, and temporal effects unique to the study time frame.

Replicability

• Definition: The ability of a research study to yield consistent results across repeated applications.

• Importance: Clear procedural outlines and methodologies are essential to allow for accurate replication and verification of findings.

The Laboratory Experiment

• Advantages: Researcher has greater control over experimental conditions and can implement random assignment.

• Limitations: Potential for low external validity due to artificial settings.

Quasi-Experiments

• Characteristics: These designs typically involve comparisons without random assignment, which can complicate establishing causation. Quasi-experiments may observe naturally occurring events over time.

Cross-Sectional Design

• Definition: Observational research wherein data is collected at a single point in time, offering a snapshot view without manipulation of variables.

• Limitations: Challenges in establishing causal direction and concerns regarding external validity.

Longitudinal Designs

• Characteristics: Data collection occurs across multiple points in time, facilitating the examination of changes and trends.

  • Types:

    • Panel Study: Repeated observations of the same subjects.

    • Cohort Study: Observations of different subjects who share a common experience over time.

Case Study Design

• Definition: An intensive, in-depth analysis of a single case, which may include an individual, group, organization, or event.

• Strengths: Provides detailed understanding and insights that can reveal underlying trends and patterns.

Types of Cases in Research

1. Critical Case: Evaluates existing hypotheses.

2. Extreme Case: Offers insight into common patterns through unique experiences or outcomes.

3. Revelatory Case: Investigates previously unstudied or marginalized populations or phenomena.

Research Strategy Overview

• Differentiates general research orientations depending on the selected design:

  • Experimental: Focused on quantitative comparisons.

  • Cross-sectional: Employs surveys to capture data at one time.

  • Longitudinal: Observes social changes and trends over time.

  • Case Study: Conducts in-depth research on a focused subject matter.

Participatory Action Research (PAR)

• Definition: A collaborative research approach that actively involves community members as equal partners in the research process, ensuring that their perspectives and local knowledge inform the inquiry.

• Key Strengths: Ensures integration of theoretical frameworks with practical knowledge, aiming to create impactful and actionable outcomes.

Cultural Considerations in PAR

• Stresses the importance of cultural humility and safety in partnerships, crucial for fostering trust, respect, and engagement within vulnerable or marginalized populations, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of