Chapter 1 Review

Positivism & Post-Positivism

Community based research Participatory Action Research
Data, information, variables, constant, conceptualization, operationalization,
reliability, validity
Population versus sample
Independent variable & Dependent variable
Nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio
Descriptive vs. inferential statistics
Positivism- Is a research paradigm that holds that social behaviour can be studied
and understood in a rational, objective and scientific manner. (Coined by Auguste
Comte)
Post-positivism- Argue that science subjugates knowledge and that new approaches
to social work knowledge are important to install the client as an important site of
knowledge.
Community-Based Approach

Research approach that is in line with structural practice methods

Community-based research (CBR) is about community members taking a
personal hands-on approach to solving community problems through
community solutions.
As a community member, you can not only a consumer of research, but also
a producer of research
Research doesnt have to come from ivory towers to be good research breaking down hierarchies

Participatory Action Research

Research approach that is in line with structural practice methods

It is an activist approach to research that seeks to engage and empower the
community
The PAR approach emphasizes having the people in the community
participate actively with the researcher throughout the research process,
from the design of the project through to the distribution of the findings
Proponents of PAR and community empowerment research argue for
participant empowerment and conscientization to be reflected in research
studies.
Engages and empowers the community to create their own change

Anti-Oppressive Practise

Anti-oppressive practice, AOP is an attempt within social work to

acknowledge oppression in societies, economies, cultures, and groups, and
to remove or negate the influence of that oppression.
AOP principles are in line with post-positivist research
AOP principle:
1. Social work is not a neutral, caring profession, but an active political process.
2. Participatory approaches between practitioners and clients are necessary
3. Self-reflexive practice and ongoing social analysis are essential components
of social justice oriented social work practice
Data

Numerical results obtained before the analysis.

The singular form of data is datum

Information

Interpretation of results after analysis.

Variables

Characteristics among research participants that vary.

Constant

A constant, on the other hand is a characteristic that is the same for the
people or objects which are the focus our research

Conceptualization

Refers to the process used in choosing and clearly defining the variables
included in the study.
Precise conceptualization allows others to replicate the study and allows
readers of the research to be clear on what is being researched.

Operationalization

Refers to the method used to measure the variable

Reliability versus Validity

Reliability- Refers to the consistency of a measurement

Validity- If the measure truly measures what it is supposed to measure

Population versus Sample

Population- Refers to all possible measurements that are of interest in a

particular study (Social work students)

Sample- Refers to a portion of the population that is representative of the

population from which it was selected (Class of students approx.85)

Independent versus Dependent Variable

Independent variable (IV): the variable that is controlled or held constant

in a hypothesis. Also sometimes called a predictor variable
Dependent variable (DV): the variable that is influenced by changes in the
independent variable. Also sometimes called the outcome variable.

If ____ (IV) then ____ (DV).

If education (IV) increases, then income (DV) increases.
Levels of Measurements

Nominal- When measuring using a nominal scale, one simply names or

categorizes responses. Gender, handedness, favourite color, and religion are
examples of variables measured on a nominal scale.
Ordinal- The items in this scale are ordered, ranging from least to most
satisfy.
Interval- Interval scales provide information about order, and also possess
equal intervals (IQ score).
Ratio- In addition to possessing the qualities of nominal, ordinal, and interval
scales, a ratio scale has an absolute zero (a point where none of the quality
being measured exists)(Income, work experience, education).

Descriptive Statistics- Summarize the characteristics of a variable: mean, median,

mode, range, standard deviation
Univariate (Income distribution)
Inferential statistics- What we think of when we think of running statistical tests
Bivariate (age and income)

Independent T-Tests
Paired T Tests
Chi-Square
Correlation
Regression

Multivariate (age, education, and income)

Chi-Square
ANOVA

Multiple linear regression

Least squares regression
Manova
Factor Analysis