Description
Book SynopsisThis book presents a comprehensive overview of the theory and practice of experimental research in the field of social work. Bruce A. Thyer illustrates key principles through examples of how social workers have evaluated real-world practice approaches.
Trade ReviewI wish I had this book years ago! This comprehensive and beautifully written volume will be useful to both aspiring and seasoned experimental researchers.
Experimental Research Designs in Social Work will be a work I reach to again and again as I plan and execute my next experimental trial. -- Joseph Himle, University of Michigan
Bruce Thyer has been a long-term advocate for clients receiving careful appraisals of potential service outcomes.
Experimental Research Designs in Social Work is an important contribution for its extensive account of social work experiments and an up-to-date description of how to discover opportunities to evaluate practices and policies, adding to our knowledge about outcomes. -- Eileen Gambrill, University of California Berkeley
Thyer skillfully presents the key principles and importance of experimental designs to social work. Easy to follow yet intellectually invigorating, this book seamlessly integrates theory, practice, and research methods. -- Harold Briggs, University of Georgia
Outcome studies are essential to know whether or not an intervention is effective. This text—written by one of the foremost experts in experimental research—is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in designing, conducting, or evaluating intervention research. -- David R. Hodge, Arizona State University
Thyer has helped to take the “experimenting” out of teaching experimental research design. This text provides a clear blueprint for teaching and learning about experimental research design. I trust that this book will be an invaluable resource for social work scholars for many years to come. -- Javonda Williams, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Social work students will greatly benefit from this excellent book....The text provides a clear integration of theory, practice, and research methods. * Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment *
Table of ContentsNote to the Reader
Foreword by Gail S. Steketee
Preface
1. Why Does Social Work Need Experimental Designs?
2. What Are Experiments?
3. The Philosophy of the Science of Experimental Designs
4. The Purpose of Experimental Designs
5. Posttest-Only Experimental Designs
6. Pretest–Posttest Experimental Designs
7. Refinements in Experimental Designs
8. Recruiting Participants from Diverse and Underrepresented Groups
9. Alternatives to Group-Randomized Designs for Making Causal Inferences
10. Ethical Considerations for the Use of Experimental Designs
References
Index
