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Survey Methods Used In Research

Using one or more social work research reports as an example, discuss critically one of the applied research methods addressed in the course. This includes: describing the method in detail, appraising its strengths and weaknesses and assessing the circumstances in which this method should – and should not – be used.

Introduction

This essay focuses on a piece of research undertaken by Pagoto et al (2008), which seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention for co morbid major depressive disorder and obesity. The research is evaluative and summative by nature and is positioned in a quantitative paradigm relying heavily on yielding statistical information to confirm a stated hypothesis. An orientation to the study itself and the specific methods and techniques it employs is outlined in what follows and consideration is given to the characteristics and features of survey methods in general. Treatment is also given to how these methods are contextualised in terms of administration. This paper finds that for the stated purposes of the research being examined, it has adopted an appropriate range of methods to provide the answers it sought. By its very nature however, statistically heavy results prohibit the understanding of this social phenomenon in a meaningful way that captures how the participant understood or made sense of what is essentially a very subjective experience. This critical issue is explored further with particular regard to the chosen methods this study has employed. Because research is inextricably linked to social work theory and practice, practitioners need to understand how to critically read, interpret and choose applied research methods in their work. This knowledge is foundational in terms of providing evidence based interventions as well as contributing at large to the professions’ body of knowledge (Smith, 2001).

Introducing the Featured Research

This piece of quantitative evaluative research aims to assess the...