Question 1

One possible operational definition of optimism is degree of hopefulness.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

If we study whether motivational interviewing is effective in treating substance abuse by the mechanism of increasing the likelihood that clients will complete substance abuse treatment programs,then whether clients complete such programs is our mediating variable.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Measuring how practitioners feel about working with minority clients when you really want to know how well informed they are about cross-cultural practice is a problem of operationalization concerning

Accepted Answer

A)  the use of single or multiple indicators. 
B)  how observations are going to be made. 
C)  the specific dimensions of the variable to be studied. 
D)  the relevant range of variations. 
E)  the degree of precision needed between extremes. 
A)  the use of single or multiple indicators. 
B)  how observations are going to be made. 
C)  the specific dimensions of the variable to be studied. 
D)  the relevant range of variations. 
E)  the degree of precision needed between extremes. C

Question 4

Which of the following statements,as currently stated and without the need for rewording,comes closest to being a useful hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A)  The provision of case management services reduces the number of days spent in institutions. 
B)  The provision of case management services should be increased. 
C)  The number of days spent in institutions can be decreased. 
D)  The greater the number of days spent in institutions, the fewer the number of days spent outside of institutions. 
A)  The provision of case management services reduces the number of days spent in institutions. 
B)  The provision of case management services should be increased. 
C)  The number of days spent in institutions can be decreased. 
D)  The greater the number of days spent in institutions, the fewer the number of days spent outside of institutions.

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true about choosing an existing scale as an operational definition of self-esteem for children to complete before and after an intervention?

Accepted Answer

A)  The longer the scale, the better. 
B)  A scale that has been shown to be reliable and valid for adults would be a good choice. 
C)  The scale should be sensitive to change over time. 
D)  The scale exemplifies a direct observable. 
A)  The longer the scale, the better. 
B)  A scale that has been shown to be reliable and valid for adults would be a good choice. 
C)  The scale should be sensitive to change over time. 
D)  The scale exemplifies a direct observable.

Question 6

Construct two hypotheses of interest to social workers.One should predict a positive relationship,the other a negative relationship: Identify the independent and dependent variables in each hypothesis.Identify a control variable for each hypothesis.Operationally define each variable.

Accepted Answer

Hypothesis 1: There is a positive relati

Question 7

In social work studies testing hypotheses involving the variable "level of social functioning" that variable is:

Accepted Answer

A)  always the dependent variable. 
B)  always either the dependent or control variable. 
C)  always the independent variable. 
D)  an independent, dependent, or control variable, depending on what is being conceptualized and postulated in any given study. 
A)  always the dependent variable. 
B)  always either the dependent or control variable. 
C)  always the independent variable. 
D)  an independent, dependent, or control variable, depending on what is being conceptualized and postulated in any given study.

Question 8

A study tests the hypothesis that the provision of social work intervention will reduce the school dropout rate.Iinds that social work intervention reduces the dropout rate only of children whose families are experiencing high levels of family stress.In this study,what type of variable is "level of family stress"?

Accepted Answer

A)  independent variable. 
B)  dependent variable. 
C)  moderating variable. 
D)  It could be an independent or dependent variable; it depends on whether it is stated first or second in the hypothesis. 
A)  independent variable. 
B)  dependent variable. 
C)  moderating variable. 
D)  It could be an independent or dependent variable; it depends on whether it is stated first or second in the hypothesis.

Question 9

The following is an example of a good hypothesis: "Social work practitioners who work in mental health agencies do not care adequately for the chronically mentally ill."

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Concepts are

Accepted Answer

A)  empirical measurements. 
B)  variables. 
C) mental images. 
D)  hypotheses. 
E)  definitions. 
A)  empirical measurements. 
B)  variables. 
C) mental images. 
D)  hypotheses. 
E)  definitions.

Question 11

Discuss how the quantitative and qualitative perspectives on operational definitions differ.

Accepted Answer

The quantitative and qualitative perspec

Question 12

The specification of concepts in a scientific inquiry depends on

Accepted Answer

A)  nominal, operational, and real definitions. 
B)  real definitions. 
C)  nominal and operational definitions. 
D)  nominal and real definitions. 
E)  operational and real definitions. 
A)  nominal, operational, and real definitions. 
B)  real definitions. 
C)  nominal and operational definitions. 
D)  nominal and real definitions. 
E)  operational and real definitions.

Question 13

If we find that test performance improves as level of anxiety increases from low to moderate amounts and then worsens as level of anxiety increases beyond moderate amounts,then we have found what type of relationship?

Accepted Answer

A)  positive. 
B)  negative. 
C)  curvilinear. 
D)  causal. 
A)  positive. 
B)  negative. 
C)  curvilinear. 
D)  causal.

Question 14

Some operational definitions of a particular variable can be more valid than other operational definitions of the same variable.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Construct a hypothesis predicting that a particular intervention will be effective regarding a particular long-term outcome.Then identify a mediating variable and a moderating variable that could be assessed in testing the hypothesis.Explain why one variable is the mediating variable and the other is the moderating one.

Accepted Answer

Hypothesis: Implementing a mindfulness m

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT an operational definition of degree of homophobia?

Accepted Answer

A)  a score on a scale measuring attitude about homosexuality. 
B)  whether or not participates in protests against gay marriage. 
C)  view of homosexuality. 
D)  number of derogatory statements made about homosexuality in a conversation about it. 
A)  a score on a scale measuring attitude about homosexuality. 
B)  whether or not participates in protests against gay marriage. 
C)  view of homosexuality. 
D)  number of derogatory statements made about homosexuality in a conversation about it.

Question 17

If we find that self-esteem is higher among children who are more active in sports,we have found what type of relationship?

Accepted Answer

A)  positive. 
B)  negative. 
C)  curvilinear. 
D)  causal. 
A)  positive. 
B)  negative. 
C)  curvilinear. 
D)  causal.

Question 18

Concepts are mental images that summarize collections of seemingly related observations and experiences.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

If level of marital satisfaction increases when socio-environmental stress decreases,that would be an example of a positive relationship:

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

It is possible to have several indicators of only one concept.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 8: Conceptualization in Quantitative and Qualitative Inquiry

One possible operational definition of optimism is degree of hopefulness.

If we study whether motivational interviewing is effective in treating substance abuse by the mechanism of increasing the likelihood that clients will complete substance abuse treatment programs,then whether clients complete such programs is our mediating variable.

Measuring how practitioners feel about working with minority clients when you really want to know how well informed they are about cross-cultural practice is a problem of operationalization concerning

Which of the following statements,as currently stated and without the need for rewording,comes closest to being a useful hypothesis?

Which of the following statements is true about choosing an existing scale as an operational definition of self-esteem for children to complete before and after an intervention?

Construct two hypotheses of interest to social workers.One should predict a positive relationship,the other a negative relationship: Identify the independent and dependent variables in each hypothesis.Identify a control variable for each hypothesis.Operationally define each variable.

In social work studies testing hypotheses involving the variable "level of social functioning" that variable is:

The following is an example of a good hypothesis: "Social work practitioners who work in mental health agencies do not care adequately for the chronically mentally ill."

Concepts are

Discuss how the quantitative and qualitative perspectives on operational definitions differ.

The specification of concepts in a scientific inquiry depends on

If we find that test performance improves as level of anxiety increases from low to moderate amounts and then worsens as level of anxiety increases beyond moderate amounts,then we have found what type of relationship?

Some operational definitions of a particular variable can be more valid than other operational definitions of the same variable.

Which of the following is NOT an operational definition of degree of homophobia?

If we find that self-esteem is higher among children who are more active in sports,we have found what type of relationship?

Concepts are mental images that summarize collections of seemingly related observations and experiences.

If level of marital satisfaction increases when socio-environmental stress decreases,that would be an example of a positive relationship:

It is possible to have several indicators of only one concept.

Why Study Research

Evidence-Based Practice

Philosophy and Theory in Social Work Research

Comparing Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods of Inquiry

The Ethics and Politics of Social Work Research

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Problem Formulation

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Constructing Measurement Instruments

Causal Inference and Experimental Designs

Quasi-Experimental Designs

Single-Case Evaluation Designs

Program Evaluation

Sampling

Survey Research

Analyzing Existing Data: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

Qualitative Research: General Principles

Qualitative Research: Specific Methods

Qualitative Data Analysis

Quantitative Data Analysis

Inferential Data Analysis

Inferential Data Analysis

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