Exam 2: The Influence of History and Varying Theoretical Views

Rita is a social work professor at a university. She has been contacted by the clinical director of a behavioral healthcare agency about conducting a program evaluation. Rita explains to the clinical director that she favors using randomized groups in her evaluations. Further, she points-out that her methodology rules-out extraneous variables. What approach does she prefer for framing evaluations?

Practice evaluations test the effectiveness of social work interventions, and resulting trends have been documented in social work literature for decades. A landmark study was published in 1973 on the effectiveness of social casework. Identify the two groups of people that have challenged social workers to be more accountable for their practice effectiveness?

Social work administrators and practitioners are planning to implement an after-school program for at-risk adolescents. They have been exploring which interventions to use and how the services will be delivered. Ideally, the program will begin several weeks after such planning is completed. What type of evaluation are the social workers using?

Concerning the vignette in question #6, Harold just completed an evaluation of an emergency crisis program. He received assistance designing the evaluation by members of a local client & community advisory group as they were able to clearly identify the current issues. Harold ensured that all evaluation outcomes were available to interested stakeholders. What specific evaluation model did Harold implement?

As the text highlights, social programming burgeoned in the 1960's due to multiple political and social factors. These programs targeted multiple social concerns including poverty, mental health, developmental disabilities, and racial injustice. What precipitated this wave of program development in the 1960's?

Alicia is a social work practitioner who intermittently evaluates her practices. Her evaluations are framed by the assumption that there is no absolute truth, but instead partial truths that are subjective. Alicia believes that modifications to oppressive power balances will benefit clients. What model frames Alicia's practice evaluations?

The U.S. government emphasizes accountability for publicly-funded social programs. More specifically, social programs are expected to provide empirical evidence that a program's services and interventions are effective. Evidence is reported through outcomes in the form of objectives and goals. How should these objectives and goals be designed?

Max is conducting an evaluation to determine the utility of solution-focused interventions on attenuating anxiety. He believes that the interventions are effective, but wants to evaluate specific outcomes of the interventions used. Further, he wants to answer the ultimate question of whether the interventions make a difference in his clients' lives. What type of evaluation is Max planning on implementing?

Human service practices and programs tend to develop over time. Typically, client needs, and/or organizational protocols will facilitate the inception of a social work practice or program, one that will utilize effective interventions. According to the text, what are stages in the three-stage approach to practice and program development?

Harold has practiced social work for years and believes that clients succeed when they are encouraged to take responsibility for their lives. When designing program evaluations, he holds this belief as a core tenant of practice. Frequently, he will determine whether clients perceive they have a sense of control over their lives. What model frames Harold's philosophies about program evaluations?