SOCW-427 MIDTERM STUDY DECK Flashcards
Uncritical documentation
Assuming that because something is described in the literature it must be true; literature is cited, but no information is given about how the cited author arrived at a conclusion
Procedural fidelity
the match between how a method should be implemented for maximal effect and how it is implemented
Evidence-based practice
A process in which practitioners consider the best scientific evidence available pertinent to a particular practice decision as an important part of their decision making.
Evidence-Based Practice
a process in which the best scientific evidence pertinent to a practice decision is an important part of the information practitioners consider when making that practice decision.
Attributes of Evidence-Based Practice
Critical thinking Career-long learning Flexibility -Integrating scientific knowledge with practice expertise and knowledge of client attributes
Evidence-based practitioners will:
-Think for themselves -Consider whether beliefs or assertions of knowledge are based on sound evidence and logic -Think open mindedly, recognizing and questioning unstated assumptions underlying beliefs and assertions -Be willing to test their own beliefs or conclusions and then alter them on the basis of new experiences and evidence -Formulate appropriate questions and then gather and appraise evidence as a basis for making decisions
Steps in Evidence-Based Practice
Step 1: Formulate a Question to Answer Practice Needs Step 2: Search for the Evidence Step 3: Critically Appraise the Relevant Studies You Find Step 4: Determine Which Evidence-Based Intervention Is Most Appropriate for Your Particular Client(s) Step 5: Apply the Evidence-Based Intervention Step 6: Evaluation and Feedback
Four common types of EBP questions
- What intervention, program, or policy has the best effects? 2. What factors best predict desirable or undesirable consequences? 3. What’s it like to have had my client’s experiences? 4. What assessment tool should be used?
Reasons for Studying Research
To increase your practice effectiveness by critically appraising research studies that can inform practice decisions (Publication does not guarantee quality) The NASW Code of Ethics requires research utilization Compassion for clients?
How do social workers know things?
-Agreement reality -Experiential Reality -Science -Tradition —Such as accumulated practice wisdom that has not been scientifically verified -Authority -Relying on “experts” -Common sense -Popular media
The Scientific Method
-All knowledge is provisional and subject to refutation (everything is open to question) -Knowledge is based on observations that are: —Orderly and comprehensive (avoidance of overgeneralization) —As objective as possible —Replicated in different studies
Flaws in Unscientific Sources
-Inaccurate Observation -Overgeneralization -Selective Observation -Ex Post Facto Hypothesizing -Ego Involvement in Understanding -Premature Closure of Inquiry
Critical Thinking
Careful appraisal of beliefs and actions to arrive at well-reasoned ones that maximize the likelihood of helping clients and avoiding harm.
What is required for critical thinking?
1) Problem Solving 2) Clarity of Expression 3) Critical appraisal of evidence and reasons 4) Consideration of alternative points of view
Pseudoscience
Makes science-like claims with no evidence
Quackery
Promotion of something known to be false or untested.
Fundamental Attribution Error
The tendency to attribute the cause of behaviors to personal characteristics instead of the environment
Behavioral Confirmation Bias
The tendency to search for data that support favored positions and to ignore data that do not
Criteria of evidence-informed client choice
1) The decision involves which intervention to use 2) The person is given research-based information about effectiveness of at least two alternatives, which may include doing nothing 3) The person provides input in the decision-making
Questions that address Social Validity concerns
1) Are the goals important and relevant to desired change? 2) Are methods acceptable or too costly? 3) Are clients happy with expected or unexpected outcome?
Cultural Competence
being aware of and appropriately responding to the ways in which cultural factors and cultural differences should influence what we investigate, how we investigate, and how we interpret our findings
Steps to improve cultural competence
Cultural immersion: cultural and scientific literature; cultural events, travel, etc. Participant observation (Chap 18) Advice from colleagues who are members of the culture of interest Input from community members/leaders Focus groups
Three main threats to culturally competent measurement include:
- The use of interviewers whose personal characteristics or interviewing styles offend or intimidate minority respondents or make them reluctant to divulge relevant and valid information 2. The use of language that minority respondents do not understand, and 3. Cultural bias
Quantitative research methods
Research methods that seek to produce precise and generalizable findings. Studies using quantitative methods typically attempt to formulate all or most of their research procedures in advance and then try to adhere precisely to those procedures with maximum objectivity as data are collected.
Qualitative research methods
Research methods that are more flexible than quantitative methods, that allow research procedures to evolve as more observations are gathered, and that typically permit the use of subjectivity to generate deeper understandings of the meanings of human experiences.
Mixed methods research
A stand-alone research design in which a single study not only collects both qualitative and quantitative data, but also integrates both sources of data at one or more stages of the research process so as to improve the understanding of the phenomenon being investigated.
Quantitative Methods Emphasize:
-Precision -Generalizability -Testing hypotheses
Qualitative Methods Emphasize:
-Deeper understandings -Describing contexts -Generating hypotheses -Discovery
Which method specifies research procedures in advance
Quantitative