SW 650 FINAL EXAM ACTUAL 2026 | ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
ANSWERS | UPDATED VERSION
Question 1
Which type of research study is specifically designed to test hypotheses and determine the
relationship between variables?
A) Descriptive
B) Exploratory
C) Explanatory
D) Qualitative
E) Anecdotal
Correct Answer: C) Explanatory
Rationale: Explanatory studies seek to explain the "why" behind relationships and are
specifically designed to test hypotheses, often using control or comparison groups to
establish cause and effect.
Question 2
A researcher is studying a program based on behavioral theory to intervene with truant
adolescents. In this study, the "attendance rate" would be considered the:
A) Independent variable
B) Dependent variable
C) Control variable
D) Extraneous variable
E) Constant
Correct Answer: B) Dependent variable
Rationale: The dependent variable is the outcome or the behavior being measured. In this
case, the success of the intervention is measured by whether or not student attendance
improves.
Question 3
What is the primary purpose of conducting a literature review before starting a research project?
A) To find a list of participants for the study
B) To determine what is already known about the topic
C) To prove that the researcher is smarter than their peers
D) To replace the need for data collection
E) To fulfill a requirement for the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Correct Answer: B) To determine what is already known about the topic
Rationale: A literature review allows the researcher to understand the current state of
knowledge, identify gaps in research, and build upon existing theories rather than
reinventing the wheel.
Question 4
Which term refers to the process of making a specific prediction based on a general theory or
what is already known?
, Page 2
A) Induce
B) Operationalize
C) Deduce
D) Correlate
E) Triangulate
Correct Answer: C) Deduce
Rationale: Deduction involves moving from the general (theory) to the specific
(prediction/hypothesis). It is the hallmark of the quantitative, explanatory research process.
Question 5
Which component of a research study is typically NOT included in the initial proposal?
A) Literature Review
B) Methodology
C) Research Question
D) Findings
E) Operational Definitions
Correct Answer: D) Findings
Rationale: A proposal is a plan for future action. Findings (results) can only be generated
after the study has been approved, conducted, and the data analyzed.
Question 6
In a study evaluating parenting skills for those at risk for child abuse, which of the following
would be an Independent Variable?
A) Future reports of child abuse
B) The parenting skills training program
C) Improved parent-child bonding scores
D) Decreased parental stress levels
E) The final graduation rate of the program
Correct Answer: B) The parenting skills training program
Rationale: The independent variable is the intervention or "cause" being manipulated. The
program is what the researcher introduces to see if it causes a change in outcomes (the
dependent variables).
Question 7
Operational definitions of variables are:
A) Dictionary definitions of social work terms
B) Precise descriptions of how study variables are being measured
C) Abstract concepts used to describe feelings
D) The ethical guidelines of the NASW
E) The researcher's personal opinions on the topic
Correct Answer: B) Precise descriptions of how study variables are being measured
, Page 3
Rationale: To conduct research, abstract concepts (like "morale") must be operationalized
into something measurable (like a specific score on the Worker Morale Inventory).
Question 8
What is the very first step in the evidence-based practice (EBP) process?
A) Analyzing the data
B) Formulating an answerable question
C) Selecting a random sample
D) Applying for an IRB waiver
E) Conducting a t-test
Correct Answer: B) Formulating an answerable question
Rationale: EBP begins with a clear, specific question regarding a client, population, or
intervention that can then be used to guide the search for evidence.
Question 9
A null hypothesis (H0) predicts that:
A) There is a positive relationship between variables
B) There is a negative relationship between variables
C) There is no relationship between study variables
D) The intervention will be highly successful
E) The study will fail to produce any data
Correct Answer: C) There is no relationship between study variables
Rationale: The null hypothesis is a starting point in statistical testing, assuming that any
observed difference is due to chance rather than the intervention.
Question 10
Evidence-based practice (EBP) uses research primarily to promote:
A) Lower costs for the agency
B) More effective practice
C) Higher salaries for researchers
D) Longer sessions with clients
E) More paperwork for social workers
Correct Answer: B) More effective practice
Rationale: The core goal of EBP is to ensure that social workers are using the most effective,
proven interventions to help their clients.
Question 11
Which type of study provides the strongest evidence for a practitioner using EBP?
A) Case studies
B) Exploratory pilots
C) Meta-analyses of randomized control trials
D) Literature reviews of textbooks
ANSWERS | UPDATED VERSION
Question 1
Which type of research study is specifically designed to test hypotheses and determine the
relationship between variables?
A) Descriptive
B) Exploratory
C) Explanatory
D) Qualitative
E) Anecdotal
Correct Answer: C) Explanatory
Rationale: Explanatory studies seek to explain the "why" behind relationships and are
specifically designed to test hypotheses, often using control or comparison groups to
establish cause and effect.
Question 2
A researcher is studying a program based on behavioral theory to intervene with truant
adolescents. In this study, the "attendance rate" would be considered the:
A) Independent variable
B) Dependent variable
C) Control variable
D) Extraneous variable
E) Constant
Correct Answer: B) Dependent variable
Rationale: The dependent variable is the outcome or the behavior being measured. In this
case, the success of the intervention is measured by whether or not student attendance
improves.
Question 3
What is the primary purpose of conducting a literature review before starting a research project?
A) To find a list of participants for the study
B) To determine what is already known about the topic
C) To prove that the researcher is smarter than their peers
D) To replace the need for data collection
E) To fulfill a requirement for the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Correct Answer: B) To determine what is already known about the topic
Rationale: A literature review allows the researcher to understand the current state of
knowledge, identify gaps in research, and build upon existing theories rather than
reinventing the wheel.
Question 4
Which term refers to the process of making a specific prediction based on a general theory or
what is already known?
, Page 2
A) Induce
B) Operationalize
C) Deduce
D) Correlate
E) Triangulate
Correct Answer: C) Deduce
Rationale: Deduction involves moving from the general (theory) to the specific
(prediction/hypothesis). It is the hallmark of the quantitative, explanatory research process.
Question 5
Which component of a research study is typically NOT included in the initial proposal?
A) Literature Review
B) Methodology
C) Research Question
D) Findings
E) Operational Definitions
Correct Answer: D) Findings
Rationale: A proposal is a plan for future action. Findings (results) can only be generated
after the study has been approved, conducted, and the data analyzed.
Question 6
In a study evaluating parenting skills for those at risk for child abuse, which of the following
would be an Independent Variable?
A) Future reports of child abuse
B) The parenting skills training program
C) Improved parent-child bonding scores
D) Decreased parental stress levels
E) The final graduation rate of the program
Correct Answer: B) The parenting skills training program
Rationale: The independent variable is the intervention or "cause" being manipulated. The
program is what the researcher introduces to see if it causes a change in outcomes (the
dependent variables).
Question 7
Operational definitions of variables are:
A) Dictionary definitions of social work terms
B) Precise descriptions of how study variables are being measured
C) Abstract concepts used to describe feelings
D) The ethical guidelines of the NASW
E) The researcher's personal opinions on the topic
Correct Answer: B) Precise descriptions of how study variables are being measured
, Page 3
Rationale: To conduct research, abstract concepts (like "morale") must be operationalized
into something measurable (like a specific score on the Worker Morale Inventory).
Question 8
What is the very first step in the evidence-based practice (EBP) process?
A) Analyzing the data
B) Formulating an answerable question
C) Selecting a random sample
D) Applying for an IRB waiver
E) Conducting a t-test
Correct Answer: B) Formulating an answerable question
Rationale: EBP begins with a clear, specific question regarding a client, population, or
intervention that can then be used to guide the search for evidence.
Question 9
A null hypothesis (H0) predicts that:
A) There is a positive relationship between variables
B) There is a negative relationship between variables
C) There is no relationship between study variables
D) The intervention will be highly successful
E) The study will fail to produce any data
Correct Answer: C) There is no relationship between study variables
Rationale: The null hypothesis is a starting point in statistical testing, assuming that any
observed difference is due to chance rather than the intervention.
Question 10
Evidence-based practice (EBP) uses research primarily to promote:
A) Lower costs for the agency
B) More effective practice
C) Higher salaries for researchers
D) Longer sessions with clients
E) More paperwork for social workers
Correct Answer: B) More effective practice
Rationale: The core goal of EBP is to ensure that social workers are using the most effective,
proven interventions to help their clients.
Question 11
Which type of study provides the strongest evidence for a practitioner using EBP?
A) Case studies
B) Exploratory pilots
C) Meta-analyses of randomized control trials
D) Literature reviews of textbooks
