Chapter 1: Research in the Human Services

Multiple Choice

1. The notion that scientific research and human service practice are totally distinct enterprises is disappearing because:

1. there really are no substantial differences between the two enterprises.
2. there are strong parallels between the conduct of research and the conduct of practice.
3. the goals of research and the goals of practice are the same.
4. all of the other answers are correct.

ANS: B

PG:  2-3

2. The textbook emphasizes the                 and                 between social research and human service practice.

1. ..possibilities
2. ..linkages
3. ..linkages
4. ..linkages

ANS: B

PG:  2-3

3. One of the parallels between social research and human service practice that is mentioned in Chapter 1 is that:

1. both use statistical tools.
2. both seek the goal of description.
3. both are based on observation.
4. both are based on pilot studies.

ANS: C

PG:  3

4. The motivation to define the human services as a scientific discipline has arisen from the effort to:

1. replace scientific researchers with human service researchers.
2. replace human service practitioners with behavioral scientists in the intervention process.
3. clearly distinguish the boundaries between science and practice.
4. enhance the accountability of the helping professions.

ANS: D

PG: 7

5. As used in the social and behavioral sciences, the term “social research” includes all of the following EXCEPT:

1. a systematic examination or reexamination of empirical data.
2. a strategy for intervention that will be effective in alleviating the personal or social problems confronting a client.
3. data collected by someone at first hand.
4. data that concerns the social or psychological forces operating in a situation.

ANS: B

PG:  3

6. When we say that social research is systematic, we mean that:

1. all aspects of the research are carefully planned in advance and nothing is done in a casual fashion.
2. there will be no bias or error in the research if it is done properly.
3. it will accomplish the explanatory goals of science.
4. it focuses on basic research rather than applied research.

ANS: A

PG:  3

7. “Empirical” data are based on:

1. thoughts and ideas.
3. sensory experiences.

ANS: C

PG:  3

8. All of the following are goals of research described in the text EXCEPT:

ANS: C

PG:  4

9. Which of the following would most clearly be an illustration of predictive research?

1. a study whose goal is to assess the amount of child abuse in a particular community
2. a study whose goal is to determine why some teenagers are more likely than others to abuse alcohol or drugs
3. a study whose goal is to project how many children will suffer from malnourishment if funding for some social program is reduced
4. a study designed with a practical outcome in mind and with the assumption that some group or society will gain some benefit from it

ANS: C

PG:  4