Bruce A. Thyer

Experimental research is of great value to social work. Well-designed studies help social workers understand which approaches are most effective, with implications for both practice with individual clients and social policy more broadly. Many social work practitioners conduct studies that randomly assign clients to specific interventions and various control groups in order to assess policy outcomes. However, social work programs often do not teach experimental methods. Critics continue to assert that true experiments are impractical, unethical, or simply too blunt a tool to evaluate the effects of social work practices and policies. This book presents a comprehensive overview of the theory and practice of experimental research in the field of social work. Bruce A. Thyer describes the logic and design of experimental methods, helping readers understand the basics and then exploring increasingly complex and sophisticated research. He illustrates key principles through examples of how social workers have evaluated real-world practice approaches. The book considers recruitment and representation of marginalized groups, the ethical issues involved in the design and conduct of experiments, and how social work researchers can ensure that all participants in an experimental study benefit from effective care. An appendix contains a chronological listing of published studies authored by social workers who conducted experimental research. Accessible to social work undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students alike and valuable for professionals from clinical workers to policy analysts, this book demonstrates the utility of experimental research across the entire spectrum of social work practice.

Experimental research is of great value to social work. Well-designed studies help social workers understand which approaches are most effective, with implications for both practice with individual clients and social policy more broadly. Many social work practitioners conduct studies that randomly assign clients to specific interventions and various control groups in order to assess policy outcomes. However, social work programs often do not teach experimental methods. Critics continue to assert that true experiments are impractical, unethical, or simply too blunt a tool to evaluate the effects of social work practices and policies. This book presents a comprehensive overview of the theory and practice of experimental research in the field of social work. Bruce A. Thyer describes the logic and design of experimental methods, helping readers understand the basics and then exploring increasingly complex and sophisticated research. He illustrates key principles through examples of how social workers have evaluated real-world practice approaches. The book considers recruitment and representation of marginalized groups, the ethical issues involved in the design and conduct of experiments, and how social work researchers can ensure that all participants in an experimental study benefit from effective care. An appendix contains a chronological listing of published studies authored by social workers who conducted experimental research. Accessible to social work undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students alike and valuable for professionals from clinical workers to policy analysts, this book demonstrates the utility of experimental research across the entire spectrum of social work practice.

Science is a way of thinking about and investigating the accuracy of assumptions about the world. It is a process for solving problems in which we learn from our mistakes. Social work has a long history of social reform and helping efforts. Let us continue this by paying attention to the important message of this book. --Eileen Gambrill, PhD, School of Social Welfare University of California at Berkeley (From the Foreword) Although many psychosocial interventions used in social work practice have strong research evidence supporting their efficacy, a surprising number do not, potentially resulting in harmful outcomes. In this book, the authors cast a critical eye on the reality of commonly used scientific and pseudoscientific practices in social work today. Stressing the need for separating research-based practices from those not supported by adequate levels of evidence, they examine the scientific and pseudoscientific bases for popular social work interventions used in a variety of treatment settings. The text examines the misuse of legitimate research and describes how social work education training can and should discourage pseudoscience. The concluding chapter describes pathways through which social work practice can become more firmly grounded in contemporary scientific research. This engaging book is intended for courses in critical thinking and evidence-based practice and is a valuable resource for all social work students and practitioners. Key Features: Promotes critical thinking regarding the evidence-based research--or lack thereof--behind a variety of social work interventions Written by renowned social work educators Addresses the history and characteristics of pseudoscience Examines pseudoscience practices in assessment and work with children, adolescents, adults, and individuals with developmental difficulties

Choosing a career can be daunting. But as you start down the path toward becoming a social work professional, it helps to have a map to help you plot your course. Have you decided on a school? Need help getting started writing your statement of purpose? Wondering what your new program expects from students? Deciding which internship best fits your interests? Curious about the benefits of social work professional organizations? Getting Your MSW: How to Survive and Thrive in a Social Work Program, Second Edition has all the answers and so much more! This user-friendly book guides the student through the decision-making process and necessary deliberations that all MSW students face. There are helpful guidelines and survival strategies for such things as time management and creating a support group that are important for a successful graduate school experience. This second edition has additional content and resources that make it easier to utilize as a quick handbook for potential and current students.

An essential overview of the core skills needed by every social work practitioner Developing Evidence-Based Generalist Practice Skills features contributions from top scholars in social work practice, presenting essential information for the ethical and effective practice of social work. This clearly written guide provides step-by-step guidance for using evidence-based practice to make joint decisions with clients about assessment and treatment options through a careful consideration of the best available research evidence, the client's preferences and values, professional ethical standards, and other key issues. Comprehensive and straightforward, this book addresses foundational practice skills expected of all social work practitioners, including: Evidence-based practiceTrauma-informed practiceInterviewing skillsProblem identification, contracting, and case planningCase managementAdvocacyCrisis interventionPractice evaluationTermination, stabilization, and continuity of care Each chapter begins with an overarching question and "what if" scenarios, and ends with a set of suggested key terms, online resources, and discussion questions. Designed as a foundation-level social work education text for undergraduate and graduate students in social work programs, this book meets the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) for a thorough and up-to-date presentation of core social work skills featuring in-depth scholarship.

An accessible and engaging guide to the study of human behavior in the social environment, covering every major theoretical approach Providing an overview of the major human behavioral theories used to guide social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, and organizations, Human Behavior in the Social Environment examines a different theoretical approach in each chapter?from its historical and conceptual origins to its relevance to social work and clinical applications. Each chapter draws on a theoretical approach to foster understanding of normative individual human development and the etiology of dysfunctional behavior, as well as to provide guidance in the application of social work intervention. Edited by a team of scholars, Human Behavior in the Social Environment addresses the Council on Social Work Education's required competencies for accreditation (EPAS) and explores: Respondent Learning theoryOperant Learning theoryCognitive-Behavioral theoryAttachment theoryPsychosocial theoryPerson-Centered theoryGenetic theoryEcosystems theorySmall Group theoryFamily Systems theoryOrganizational theory

It is usually the case that ethical and pragmatic considerations preclude the use of randomly assigning social work clients to experimental and comparative treatment conditions. In such instances, the practicality of employing a quasi-experimental method becomes an excellent alternative. Quasi-experimental research designs allow researchers to compare groups, and the use of increasingly sophisticated programs provides greater statistical control for what has become the most widely employed research approach used to evaluate the outcomes of social work programs and policies. This pocket guide describes the logic, design, and conduct of the range of such designs, encompassing pre-experiments, quasi-experiments making use of a control or comparison group, and time-series designs. An introductory chapter describes the valuable role these types of studies have played in social work, from the 1930s to the present. Subsequent chapters delve into each design type's major features, the kinds of questions it is capable of answering, and its strengths and limitations. By linking the theoretical discussion of quasi-experimental designs with actual applications in social work literature, the usefulness and vitality of these research methods comes alive for readers. While this book can be utilized as a manual, it will also have great value for practitioners seeking a greater conceptual understanding of quasi-experimental studies in social work literature. Human service professionals planning to undertake a program evaluation of their agency's services will find this book helpful in understanding the steps and actions needed to adopt a quasi-experimental strategy.

This book contains over 1500 research and statistical terms, written in jargon-free, easy-to-understand terminology to help students understand difficult concepts in their research courses. This pocket guide is in an ideal supplement to the many discipline-specific texts on research methods and statistics.

Click on the Supplements tab above for further details on the different versions of SPSS programs. The canonical Handbook is completely updated with more student-friendly features The Handbook of Social Work Research Methods is a cutting-edge volume that covers all the major topics that are relevant for Social Work Research methods. Edited by Bruce Thyer and containing contributions by leading authorities, this Handbook covers both qualitative and quantitative approaches as well as a section that delves into more general issues such as evidence based practice, ethics, gender, ethnicity, International Issues, integrating both approaches, and applying for grants. New to this EditionMore content on qualitative methods and mixed methods More coverage of evidence-based practice More support to help students effectively use the Internet A companion Website containing a test bank and PowerPoint slides for instructors and relevant SAGE journal articles for students. This Handbook serves as a primary text in the methods courses in MSW programs and doctoral level programs. It can also be used as a reference and research design tool for anyone doing scholarly research in social work or human services.

Click on the Supplements tab above for further details on the different versions of SPSS programs. The canonical Handbook is completely updated with more student-friendly features The Handbook of Social Work Research Methods is a cutting-edge volume that covers all the major topics that are relevant for Social Work Research methods. Edited by Bruce Thyer and containing contributions by leading authorities, this Handbook covers both qualitative and quantitative approaches as well as a section that delves into more general issues such as evidence based practice, ethics, gender, ethnicity, International Issues, integrating both approaches, and applying for grants. New to this EditionMore content on qualitative methods and mixed methods More coverage of evidence-based practice More support to help students effectively use the Internet A companion Website containing a test bank and PowerPoint slides for instructors and relevant SAGE journal articles for students. This Handbook serves as a primary text in the methods courses in MSW programs and doctoral level programs. It can also be used as a reference and research design tool for anyone doing scholarly research in social work or human services.

Offering readers the most current knowledge on what works in substance abuse treatment today This one-of-a-kind anthology presents state-of-the-art material to help researchers better understand which interventions work and why, and it includes editorial commentary and critical thinking questions for each selection. The editors have organized this volume according to the process of evidence-based practice—introduction to evidence-based practice, assessment, gender-based and culturally sensitive interventions, treatment issues and innovations, and policy considerations. Connecting science and clinical research to the practical needs of persons with substance and mental health disorders, this volume is a groundbreaking resource for those who need empirically based material on treatment innovations. Key Features Data on a wide range of cutting-edge issues such as housing for homeless alcoholics and use of prescription medications to reduce drug cravings Content by forward-looking experts in substance abuse treatment that promotes a public health perspective Five-part organization focused on the major practice domains of parentcentered intervention, gender-based and culturally sensitive programming, and interventions across the life span Target Audience This is a must-have resource for substance abuse and mental health practitioners, faculty, policy makers, and students.

Offering an insider's view of the subject, this practical guide demystifies the process of publishing in scholarly journals. The author explains how to increase the chances of having articles accepted, how to market published articles and how to achieve a consistent level of productive publishing.