30 MCQ on Introduction to Social Work Research

1. Question: What is the primary objective of social work research? a. To generate knowledge to improve social work practice and policies b. To conduct assessments for individual clients c. To provide direct services to clients d. To organize community events and programs Answer: a. To generate knowledge to improve social work practice and policies

2. Question: Which research method involves collecting data from a specific group of individuals at a single point in time? a. Cross-sectional research b. Longitudinal research c. Experimental research d. Case study research Answer: a. Cross-sectional research

3. Question: What is the term for a specific prediction about the relationship between variables that is tested through research? a. Hypothesis b. Theory c. Concept d. Variable Answer: a. Hypothesis

4. Question: What is a common ethical consideration in social work research? a. Protecting the confidentiality and privacy of research participants b. Publishing research findings without peer review c. Manipulating data to support a hypothesis d. Promoting biases in research design Answer: a. Protecting the confidentiality and privacy of research participants

5. Question: Which research approach seeks to understand human behavior and social phenomena from the perspective of the subjects being studied? a. Qualitative research b. Quantitative research c. Experimental research d. Correlational research Answer: a. Qualitative research

6. Question: What is the term for the entire group of individuals or instances about whom the research is concerned? a. Population b. Sample c. Variable d. Hypothesis Answer: a. Population

7. Question: What is the first step in the research process? a. Identifying the research problem b. Conducting a literature review c. Analyzing data d. Writing the research report Answer: a. Identifying the research problem

8. Question: Which type of sampling involves selecting participants based on their availability and willingness to participate in the study? a. Convenience sampling b. Stratified sampling c. Snowball sampling d. Random sampling Answer: a. Convenience sampling

9. Question: Which research design involves studying a group of individuals over an extended period to observe changes and development? a. Longitudinal research b. Cross-sectional research c. Correlational research d. Experimental research Answer: a. Longitudinal research

10. Question: What is the term for a system of symbols, words, or signs that allows researchers to communicate and share meaning? a. Language b. Methodology c. Sampling d. Ethics Answer: a. Language

11. Question: In social work research, what does "triangulation" refer to? a. Using multiple research methods to confirm findings and enhance the validity of the study b. Focusing on three specific research questions c. Relying solely on quantitative data for analysis d. Conducting research in three different geographic locations Answer: a. Using multiple research methods to confirm findings and enhance the validity of the study

12. Question: What is a potential limitation of survey research in social work? a. Response bias b. High cost of implementation c. Difficulty in reaching a diverse sample d. Limited data collection methods Answer: a. Response bias

13. Question: What is a fundamental principle of ethical research in social work? a. Respect for persons and their rights b. Manipulation of data for desired outcomes c. Concealing research methods from participants d. Prioritizing researchers' interests over participants' well-being Answer: a. Respect for persons and their rights

14. Question: Which term refers to a measurable characteristic that can vary or change in value? a. Variable b. Concept c. Hypothesis d. Theory Answer: a. Variable

15. Question: What is a key advantage of mixed-methods research in social work? a. It provides a more comprehensive understanding of research questions by combining both quantitative and qualitative data b. It is less time-consuming compared to other research approaches c. It is less expensive to conduct d. It eliminates the need for ethical considerations in research Answer: a. It provides a more comprehensive understanding of research questions by combining both quantitative and qualitative data

16. Question: In social work research, what does "IRB" stand for? a. Institutional Review Board b. Investigative Research Bureau c. Institutional Research Branch d. Investigative Review Board Answer: a. Institutional Review Board

17. Question: What does the term "peer-reviewed journal" mean in the context of research? a. A journal where articles are evaluated by experts in the field before publication b. A journal that only publishes research by peer researchers c. A journal that requires authors to review their own work d. A journal focused on reviews of existing literature Answer: a. A journal where articles are evaluated by experts in the field before publication

18. Question: Which research method involves studying a phenomenon in its natural setting, often over an extended period? a. Field research b. Experimental research c. Survey research d. Meta-analysis research Answer: a. Field research

19. Question: What is the term for a detailed plan or blueprint for conducting a study or research project? a. Research design b. Research hypothesis c. Research population d. Research survey Answer: a. Research design

20. Question: What does the term "dependent variable" mean in a research study? a. The variable that is being measured or observed b. The variable that is manipulated by the researcher c. The variable that remains constant throughout the study d. The variable that is controlled by external factors Answer: a. The variable that is being measured or observed

21. Question: What is a common ethical concern in qualitative research? a. Maintaining researcher neutrality and objectivity b. Protecting participants' anonymity and confidentiality c. Avoiding biases in data analysis d. Using large sample sizes Answer: a. Maintaining researcher neutrality and objectivity

22. Question: Which research method involves studying a small group of participants in-depth to understand their experiences and perspectives? a. Qualitative research b. Quantitative research c. Correlational research d. Experimental research Answer: a. Qualitative research

23. Question: What is the term for a statement that expresses the relationship between variables in a research study? a. Research hypothesis b. Null hypothesis c. Alternative hypothesis d. Research question Answer: a. Research hypothesis

24. Question: What does the term "grounded theory" refer to in qualitative research? a. A research approach that seeks to develop theory from data b. A theory that is already established and well-known in the field c. A theory based on predetermined hypotheses d. A theory developed through mathematical modeling Answer: a. A research approach that seeks to develop theory from data

25. Question: In social work research, what does "intervention" refer to? a. An action or set of actions designed to bring about change in individuals or systems b. A statistical method used for data analysis c. The initial phase of the research process d. The process of obtaining informed consent from participants Answer: a. An action or set of actions designed to bring about change in individuals or systems

26. Question: Which type of validity refers to the extent to which research findings can be generalized beyond the specific study? a. External validity b. Internal validity c. Construct validity d. Face validity Answer: a. External validity

27. Question: What is the term for a technique that allows researchers to summarize the results of multiple studies on a specific topic? a. Meta-analysis b. Case study c. Content analysis d. Correlational analysis Answer: a. Meta-analysis

28. Question: What does the term "quantitative research" focus on primarily? a. Objective measurement and analysis of numerical data b. In-depth understanding of experiences and perspectives c. Developing theories based on observed phenomena d. Exploring relationships between variables Answer: a. Objective measurement and analysis of numerical data

29. Question: What is the term for the systematic examination and interpretation of existing research studies on a specific topic? a. Literature review b. Content analysis c. Case study analysis d. Meta-analysis Answer: a. Literature review

30. Question: What does the term "control group" mean in experimental research? a. The group that does not receive the experimental treatment and serves as a basis for comparison b. The group that receives the experimental treatment c. The group responsible for data collection d. The group responsible for administering the experimental treatment Answer: a. The group that does not receive the experimental treatment and serves as a basis for comparison