Synopses & Reviews
Building on the hallmarks of this respected bestseller, Rubin and Babbie's RESEARCH METHODS FOR SOCIAL WORK, 7e strikes an optimal balance of quantitative and qualitative research techniques--illustrating how the two methods complement one another. The book combines comprehensive coverage with a clear and often humorous writing style. Considered the best social work research methods resource, Rubin and Babbie's book balances depth of content with relevant user-friendly examples and consistently helps readers see the connections between research and social work practice.
Review
"This text is remarkably up-to-date providing a wealth of information and resources for instructors and students."
Review
"This text is, bar none, the best general resource research methods textbook on the market."
Review
"Extremely comprehensive; lots of great examples, very current....I still continue to use the text because it is the best one out there!"
Synopsis
This best-selling text that has empowered more than 100,000 students just like you! Considered the best social work research methods resource, RESEARCH METHODS FOR SOCIAL WORK balances essential content with enlightening examples, consistently revealing the important connections between real research and true-to-life social work practice.
About the Author
After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, Allen Rubin served as a researcher for the Council on Social Work Education before joining the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin in 1979, where he remains as the Bert Kruger Smith Centennial Professor. Renowned in social work, Dr. Rubin has published numerous research studies on social work practice and is a past president of the Society for Social Work and Research.Earl R. Babbie graduated from Harvard University before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and began teaching shortly thereafter. Credited with defining research methods for the social sciences, Dr. Babbie has written several texts, including bestseller THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL RESEARCH.
Table of Contents
Part 1. AN INTRODUCTION TO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IN SOCIAL WORK. 1. Why Study Research? 2. Evidence-Based Practice. 3. Philosophy and Theory in Science and Research. Part 2. THE ETHICAL, POLITICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT OF SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH. 4. The Ethics and Politics of Social Work Research. 5. Culturally Competent Research. PART 3. PROBLEM FORMULATION AND MEASUREMENT. 6. Problem Formulation. 7. Conceptualization and Operationalization. 8. Measurement. 9. Constructing Measurement Instruments. Part 4. DESIGNS FOR EVALUATING PROGRAMS AND PRACTICE. 10. Causal Inference and Correlational Designs. 11. Experimental Designs. 12. Single-Case Evaluation Designs. 13. Program Evaluation. Part 5. DATA COLLECTION METHODS WITH LARGE SOURCES OF DATA. 14. Sampling. 15. Survey Research. 16. Analyzing Available Records: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods. Part 6. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS. 17. Qualitative Research: General Principles. 18. Qualitative Research: Specific Methods. 19. Qualitative Data Analysis. Part 7. ANALYSIS OF QUANTITATIVE DATA. 20.Quantitative Data Analysis. 21.Inferential Data Analysis: Part 1. 22.Inferential Data Analysis: Part 2. Part 8. WRITING RESEARCH PROPOSALS AND REPORTS. 23. Writing Research Proposals and Reports. Appendix A. Using the Library. Appendix B. STATISTICS FOR ESTIMATING SAMPLING ERROR. Appendix C. Proportion under Normal Curve Exceeded by Effect Size (ES) Values. Appendix D. Learner's Guide to SPSS 11.0 for Windows. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.