Discussion 1: Relationship Between Purpose of Study and Data Analysis Techniques

In order to make decisions about the value of any research study for practice, it is important to understand the general processes involved in analyzing research data. By now, you have examined enough research studies to be aware that there are some common ways that data are reported and summarized in research studies. For example, the sample is often described by numbers of participants and by certain characteristics of those participants that help us determine how representative the sample is of a population. The information about the sample is commonly reported in tables and graphs, making use of frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, and dispersion. Information about the variables (or concepts) of interest when quantified are also reported in similar manner.

Although the actual data analysis takes place after data have been collected, from the initial planning of a research study, the researcher needs to have an awareness of the types of questions that can be answered by particular data analysis techniques.

For this Discussion, review the case study entitled “Social Work Research: Measuring Group Success.”(In Attachments) Consider the data analysis described in that case. Recall the information presented in the earlier chapters of your text about formulating research questions to inform a hypotheses or open-ended exploration of an issue.

By Day 3

Post an explanation of the types of descriptive and/or inferential statistics you might use to analyze the data gathered in the case study. Also explain how the statistics you identify can guide you in evaluating the applicability of the study’s findings for your own practice as a social worker. Please use the resources to support your answer.

By Day 5

Respond to a colleague’s post by raising questions about the value of the evidence based on the quantitative or qualitative data analysis described by the classmate. Please use the resources to support your post.

Colleague: Jacqueline

COLLAPSE

Type of Descriptive and/or Inferential Statistics I Might Use to Analyze the Data Gathered In The Case Study

The case study discussed in Measuring Group Success is pertaining to a sexual assault and/or incest trauma survivor group (Plummer et al, 2014, p.918). A Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) was used as a pretest and post test during this study. A Likert Scale was then used for rating the participants levels of depression, anxiety and stress, the higher the score the higher the participants’ level of distress. To analyze the data collected in the study I would use an analysis of variance as the type of inferential statistical analysis (Yegidis et al, 2018, p.307). I would do this by creating an additional group that would not receive an intervention strategy during the 12 weeks, and instead just attend support group. After the 12 weeks I would see if the post test results are significant statistically between the control group and intervention group.

How The Statistics I Identify Can Guide Me In Evaluating The Applicability Of The Findings For My Own Practice

The statistics I identify can guide me in evaluating the applicability of the study’s findings for my own practice as a social worker because it is a guide to a method of ensuring that any study’s results exist beyond the sample used. So for instance when performing any study where a sample is used, even if I were to use all measures accurately to ensure internal validity, I would still need to use a method of descriptive and/or inferential statistics to determine if the data still applies even outside of my sample. This could be applicable across many studies in my own social work practice.

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].

Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.