Discussion: Qualitative Research Questions
Research questions that lend themselves to a qualitative approach often address questions about how people construct meaning. In this way, qualitative research questions set the stage for open-ended, inductive inquiry.
For this Discussion, review the case study entitled, “Social Work Research: Program Evaluation.” Consider the kinds of questions that inform a qualitative approach. Think about the quantitative method described in the case study and consider methods you might use to investigate the effectiveness of a program from a qualitative perspective.
Post your explanations of the following:
· What kinds of research questions lead to a qualitative approach?
· If you chose to conduct quantitative research in your Week 4 proposal, how might you reframe the research question in a way that lends itself to a qualitative approach?
· If you focused on a qualitative proposal in Week 4, describe the qualitative research question and explain the rationale for choosing a qualitative approach.
· Be sure to explain how you might collect the data.
· Consider which qualitative method (case study, grounded theory, ethnographic research, cross-sectional research, feminist research, or participatory action research) would be most suitable for answering the research question.
Evidence-based practice is integral to social work, as it often informs best practices. Competent social workers understand this connection in general and the ways it benefits clients in particular. For this Assignment, consider your informed opinion on the relationship between qualitative analysis and evidence-based practice.
Submit a 2-page paper that addresses the following:
· Choose two qualitative research studies from this week’s resources and analyze the relationship between qualitative analysis and evidence-based practice.
· Consider how the qualitative study contributes to social work practice and how this type of knowledge would fit into building evidence-based practice.
References:
· Scholarly Journals
Crandall, Marie; Senturia, Kirsten; Sullivan, Marianne; Shiu-Thornton, Sharyne.Hispanic Health Care International; Thousand Oaks Vol. 3, Iss. 3, (Winter 2005): 179-187
· Scholarly Journals
Jackson, Lois A; Marentette, Hilary; McCleave, Heather.International Quarterly of Community Health Education; London Vol. 20, Iss. 1, (2000/2001): 17-38.
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
· Social Work Research: Program Evaluation
Gomory, T. (2000a). Critical realism (Gomory’s blurry theory) or positivism (Thyer’s theoretical myopia): Which is the prescription for social work research? Journal of Social Work Education, 37, 67-78. Google Scholar
Gomory, T. (2000b). A fallibilistic response to Thyer’s theory of theory-free empirical research in social work practice. Journal of Social Work Education, 37, 26-50. Google Scholar
Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
· Chapter 6, “Qualitative Research” (pp. 126-145)
