Synopses & Reviews
In this extensive revision of their best-selling research methods text for social workers, Rubin and Babbie retain the integrity of their comprehensive, quantitative approach, while truly integrating increased coverage of qualitative methods. This text has been acclaimed for the depth and breadth of coverage and the clear and often humorous writing style. Building on those winning qualities, the authors have created a new edition that provides a balanced and up-to-date presentation, current coverage of technological advances, culturally competent research, and other topics of emerging importance. Considered the best social work research methods resource, Rubin and Babbie's text balances depth of content with student-friendly examples and consistently helps students see the connections between research and social work practice.
Review
"...an exceptional job explicating research methods for social workers... it is the definitive book on research methods..."
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"I am pleased to see more content on qualitative methods and culturally relevant research methods..."
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"I love the improvements made on this edition. For example, the program evaluation section...is integrated within the text..."
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"This text is remarkably up-to-date providing a wealth of information and resources for instructors and students."
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"This text is, bar none, the best general resource research methods textbook on the market."
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.