Premium Essay

Human Service and Research Methods

In:

Submitted By noreata
Words 1409
Pages 6
Human Service and Research Methods
Throughout the numerous human service fields, research is necessary from determining risk to providing solutions. The correct research method increases the ability to make the proper decisions for each situation. The scientific method is one many people learn early in life because this method increases understanding and answers many questions throughout the numerous fields. As a social science many questions need answers, the scientific method assists researchers in discovering these answers. A clear comprehension of the quantitative and qualitative methods allows researchers to know when to use what method. At times both these methods are necessary, knowledge about how and when to incorporate the mixed method is essential. An understanding of the different methods and how they can influence the functions within the human service field is crucial.
Scientific Method
“The scientific method is the basic method, guide, and system by which we originate, refine, extend, and apply knowledge in all fields,” (Edmund, 2011, What is the Scientific Method, Para. 4). The text (Creswell, 2008, p. 51) sums these stages into six areas of focus; “identifying the research question, reviewing the literature, specifying a purpose, collecting data, analyzing data, and evaluating research.” The scientific method allows researchers to address many common questions, reach beyond other conclusions, and by using empirical reasoning to decide what is true, (Rosnow & Rosenthal, (2008) .
Identifying the research question helps determine the issues, theories, problems or ideas allowing the researcher to retain focus on the question at hand. Reviewing the literature or planning establishes direction and purpose. Collecting data educates the researcher on the issue for knowledgeable decision making. Analyzing and interpreting data limits the alternatives

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Fundamentals of Research

...Fundamentals of Research Amanda Lopez BSHS/382 October 31, 2011 Kevin Benbow Fundamentals of Research Research plays a vital role in the human services field. Utilizing research methods (such as the scientific method) assists human services professionals in making numerous informed decisions daily. This paper will provide a detailed description of the scientific method and the fundamentals of research by first defining the term ‘scientific method’ as well as by providing an explanation of how it relates to human services research. The steps in the process of scientific inquiry will be reviewed along with why each of these steps must be included to support the scientific method. A human services research example of the scientific method that identifies each of the steps involved in the process of scientific inquiry will also be provided. Likewise, the terms quantitative and qualitative research will be defined and an explanation of the manner in which they differ as well as relate to the human services field and the scientific method will be included along with specific examples of what sort of study is appropriate for each methodology and an explanation why. The term mixed method research will then be defined and the strengths associated with this type of research method will be given as well as an example of when it is appropriate to apply mixed method research in the human services field. Lastly, a brief summary of the way in which scientifically sound research supports...

Words: 2195 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Fundementals of Research

...As a human service organization issues or problems, and finding a plan is a goal in progress from the beginning; therefore, for a human service organization there has to be different measures of research. The needs of the community will need to be met and for a human service organization to meet them the target population and the problems happening with the target population is essential to for the organization to become successful. A research method will need to think of to help with arriving at a final solution. One method is the scientific method, and this method can help to satisfy the needs for a human service organization. Scientific method is the basic method, guide, and system by which a person originates, retire, extend, and apply knowledge in many fields. The scientific method is the method that search for the cause and effect relationship in the environment. People will design an experiment in hopes that changes to one particular issue will cause another to vary in a certain action. When suing the scientific method one must identify the problem. A clear understanding of the problem that need to set a plan of action. The second thing one must do is form a hypothesis of what may resolve the problem. Then one must gather the necessary data that will help to prove the prediction to be true or not. Last, analyzing, and deciphering the data will help to show if the prediction is accurate. Those who need this information can progress. Any human service field will require...

Words: 590 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Fundamental Research

...Fundamentals of Research Dallas Anderson BSHS/382 March 11, 2013 Instructor: Angels Colistra Fundamentals of Research The research field plays a large role in human services assisting the human service workers in making decisions for the client daily. In this paper there will be a definition of the scientific method and how it relates to the human service field. There will a discussion of the steps in the process of scientific method along with why the steps are important to the human service field. The terms qualitative and quantitative research will be defined and discussion on how they differ, and they relate to the human service profession. Mixed method research will also be discussed and when it would be a good time to apply this method in human services. Finally a brief summary will be included, in which research will support the function of a human services manager. Scientific Method The use of scientific method is essential in the human service field. When using the observing ad experiments method a human service worker can understand and learn much more information about his or her client. The scientific method is defined as method of investigation, which a problem is identified first and observations, experiments, or other relevant data is useable to test or construct hypotheses to solve a problem (Creswell, 2008). The following step of the scientific method consist of first identifying the research problem...

Words: 993 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Fundamental Research

...Fundamentals of Research in Human Services Yolanda M. Long BSHS/382 Research and Statistics for the Social Sciences March 17, 2014 Michael A. Keitler, MA Fundamentals of Research in Human Services This paper will define the term scientific method and how it relates to research in human services. The process to evaluate the research must incorporate steps needed to identify the problem, analysis the data, and finally form a conclusion. The paper will further explore and define the differences between quantitative and qualitative research in the human services field and the scientific method behind the research. An example depicting a quantitative research, qualitative research, and mixed method research will be covered as well as how scientifically sound research can support the functions of a human service professional. Scientific Method and how it Relates to Human Services Research The Institute Innovation in Health and Human Services at James Madison University defines Scientific Method as the collection of quantitative and/or qualitative date for studies that incorporate logical design and are replicable. The measures, procedures, and analysis are informed by best practices in the field, and the findings are interpreted within the context of the extant research literature (para. 5). Scientific method is important to the field of human services as professionals try to assist clients through reliable data previously captured. If a client is dealing with abuse issues...

Words: 1112 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Scientific Method and Steps in Scientific Inquiry Paper

...Scientific method and steps in scientific inquiry paper BSHS 435 Mary Evitt January 11 2016 Introduction In this essay, I will define the scientific method, and how it relates to the human service research process. I will explain what the steps are in the scientific method of inquiry or research process, and why must each of the steps being included to support the scientific method. I will discuss how the scientific research method was applied in the article that I chose to complete my research on. I will summarize how scientifically profound research meaning referring to scientific method supports the function of human service manager. Scientific method When defining the scientific method and how it relates the human service research process, when using the scientific method in research you are gathering answers that you do not know about the subject. Using the scientific method is the best way to discover the truth from lies and disillusion. As a human service professional you will work with many clients that will come to you with many different problems wanting your guidance, using the Scientific method you will help guide your clients in the right direction and find the right solution to their problem. The steps in the scientific method There are six steps in the scientific method to help researchers “identifying a problem that defines the goal of research, make a prediction that, if confirmed, resolves the problem, gather data relevant to this prediction...

Words: 1026 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Fundamentals of Research

...Fundamentals of Research Shemika Savage University of Phoenix   The use of the scientific method is a necessity in research. The scientific method could be used in observation and experimentation. The results determined during the use of the scientific method help in many different aspects. In order for researchers to prove theories or assumptions, they must have proof and facts. These facts are proven with the scientific method. The scientific method is defined as “a method of research in which a problem is identified, relevant data is gathered, a hypothesis is formulated from the data and the hypothesis is empirically proven.”(Dictionary.com,LLC, 2012) The steps in the scientific method are: defining the problem, observations, hypothesis, experimentations, data gathering, testing of the hypothesis, and conclusions. The steps of the scientific method need to be conducted in order. No steps should be left out. The scientific method helps to determine the relationships between cause and effect. The method helps to define problems and to collect data and make possible solutions. The research would not be complete and the conclusions would not be solid or valid. The scientific method can be used in human services to establish the collection of data in many scenarios. It is crucial to investigate the realms that are the cause for the issues or problems. The scientific method can be used in human services to help a mother who suffers from alcoholism. The human service worker can...

Words: 624 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Scientific Method and Steps in Scientific Inquiry Paper

...Scientific Method and Steps in Scientific Inquiry Paper Monique Reed BSHS/435 February 22, 2015 Dora Baker Scientific Method and Steps in Scientific Inquiry Paper In this paper in will provide details on how scientific methods can be used in the Human services. Explaining the steps of scientific methods, and how it serves as an important key to Human services professionals. Each steps will be included on how they are define and what purpose it serves will scientific methods are applied. Human services professionals use the scientific methods to gain information on the client as well as how to approach the clients issues. Also researching other resources to meet the needs of the client to ensure the client is receiving accurate help. Scientific Method Scientific method is a method that used to research and study that involves investigation and evaluation of present or future problems. Scientific method helps with produce the right answers to questions that cannot be answered with common sense alone. Researchers can use scientific methods to exploit all the facts, evidence, opinions, and records to find the right plan. As a Human service professional using scientific method can help with identifying the solution of the client’s problem and finding a resolution to ensure it will help to rebuild the client’s life. No matter field an individual is in when it concerns Human services, research will always be needed to ensure self-thoughts, bias, and ones on solution is not...

Words: 1047 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Fundamentals of Research

...Fundamentals of Research Paper In this paper I will discuss scientific method and its relation to the human service field. I will explain the steps in the scientific method and the process of scientific inquiry, as well as define quantitative research and qualitative research. I will explain how they differ and relate each to the human services field and the scientific method. The scientific method is a method for research and study that is applied to investigate, observations and to get to the root cause of the problem/situation/s and is a process for experimentation that is used to explore observations and answer questions. Scientists use the scientific method to search for cause and effect relationships in nature. Information is collected by asking open-ended questions during in-depth interviews. Research is increasingly essential to the delivery of human services and to the professionals who are mandated with the responsibility of making the delivery of these services effective, efficient, and responsive to human needs (Monette, Sullivan, & DeJong, 2010, p. 2). When dealing with special need population the elderly, the scientific method can be applied by finding answers to questions. The steps the process of scientific inquiry would be to make an observation, collect all data, analyze what your data means, Plan out the experiment to test your hypothesis, and take notes, draw coclusion.Each of these steps must be included because it helps to minimize...

Words: 875 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Fundamentals of Research

...Fundamentals of Research Research is an essential part of life, and everything one knows, or wants to know involves research. There are a few scientific approaches to test research and test data, but the scientific method is probably the most common one. Research also plays a vital role in the human services field. Research methods such as the scientific method helps human services professionals to make numerous informed decisions daily. A description of the scientific method research along with the definition, as well as the explanation of how it relates to human services research will be described in this paper. The terms quantitative, qualitative and mixed method research will also be defined as well as an example of when to apply mixed method research in the human services field. Scientific Method Scientific method is defined as the “principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). By hearing the word “science”, we instantly think of the natural sciences, such as biology, chemistry, geography, and such. Nevertheless, the field of human services is also a science, a social science. The scientific method is also usedto answer questions about human services field. The scientific method can help us understand anything from why refugies are being denied banefits to...

Words: 1210 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Fundamentals of Research Paper

...Fundamentals of Research paper February 10, 2014 Fundamentals of Research Paper The scientific methods and fundamentals of research are as varied as the researchers who use the approaches. “Researchers in disciplines as varied as psychology, biomedicine, business, education, communication, economics, sociology, anthropology, physics, biology, and chemistry all use some variation of this approach.” (Rosnow & Rosenthal, 2008). The scientific research method is essentially a form of investigation used by researchers to explore already known facts, gain new insight and education and to disprove or further prove what is believed to be facts. There are three forms of research methods that make research scientific research of; descriptive and observational, experimental, and relational research. The descriptive and observational research method is where the researcher will map out the research using description to allow for the creation of a matrix or map that can be followed. The experimental research method is used to research the effect of an independent variable from a dependent variable. The relational research method employs the relation and correlation of two or more factors. (Rosnow & Rosenthal, 2008). Human Services research The scientific method relates to the human services research in that helping professionals in the human services field are consistently doing research in order to determine how to best serve the clients seeking services. The human services filed...

Words: 995 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Fundamentals of Research

...Fundamentals of Research In: Business and Management Fundamentals of Research THIS PAPER IS ONLY MEANT TO BE USED AS A GUIDE TO HELP OTHERS IN GAINING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MATERIAL. PLEASE DO NOT PLAGIARIZE MY WORK! Fundamentals of Research Amanda Lopez BSHS/382 October 31, 2011 Kevin Benbow Fundamentals of Research Research plays a vital role in the human services field. Utilizing research methods (such as the scientific method) assists human services professionals in making numerous informed decisions daily. This paper will provide a detailed description of the scientific method and the fundamentals of research by first defining the term ‘scientific method’ as well as by providing an explanation of how it relates to human services research. The steps in the process of scientific inquiry will be reviewed along with why each of these steps must be included to support the scientific method. A human services research example of the scientific method that identifies each of the steps involved in the process of scientific inquiry will also be provided. Likewise, the terms quantitative and qualitative research will be defined and an explanation of the manner in which they differ as well as relate to the human services field and the scientific method will be included along with specific examples of what sort of study is appropriate for each methodology and an explanation why. The term mixed method research will then be defined and the strengths associated with...

Words: 340 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Fundamentals of Research Paper

...Fundamentals of Research Paper BSHS/382 Define the scientific method. The scientific method has its foundation in a number of steps including research, observational analysis and establishing data-driven rulings. Tell how it relates to human services research. Based on substantiation research studies, medical treatments and newer drugs are not only sustained but also adapted and improved over time. Exclusive of scientific research, their formation and effectiveness regulation will not be achievable. What are the steps in the process of scientific inquiry? Why must each of these steps be included to support the scientific method? Provide a human services research example of the scientific method and identify each step within your example 1. The first step in executing a scientific examination for research in a given field of study. It ascends and takes a solid shape, once a trained researcher figures out that some evidence may be necessary but is missing, and to study such information, the researcher proposes the research setback.
 2. Then occur, set up of variables and investigational conditions. 
 3. This is trailed by choosing or indiscriminately assigning qualified participants, under controlled laboratory and research conditions, to their individual experimental groups. 
 4. The variables are expended in distinctive variations, along with the treatment to be tested, and their endings are noted...

Words: 859 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Bshs 435 Week 2 Sampling and Data Collection

...BSHS 435 Week 2 Sampling and Data Collection To purchase this visit here: http://mindsblow.us/question_des/BSHS435Week2SamplingandDataCollection/2788 Contact us at: help@mindblows.us BSHS 435 Week 2 Sampling and Data Collection in Research Paper BSHS 435 Week 2 • Student described observation and measurement as they relate to human services research. • Student addressed each of the following points in the paper: o Sampling • What is the purpose of sampling? • How can you avoid bias when selecting samples for human services research? o Data Collection • Describe the scales of measurement used in research • What are the types of reliability? Provide examples of the types of reliability as they apply to human services research or to human services management research. • What are the types of validity? Provide examples of these types of validity as they apply to human services research or to human services management research. • Why is it important to ensure that data collection methods and instruments are both reliable and valid? • What are the advantages and disadvantages of: Telephone surveys Online surveys Focus groups Surveys via websites Which of the above examples of survey research you would like to use if you are collecting data and why? • The paper is 700 to 1,050 words in length. • The introduction provides sufficient background on the topic and previews major points. • The conclusion is logical, flows, and reviews the major points. BSHS 435 Week...

Words: 1146 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Science

...050-word paper describing the scientific method and the fundamentals of |Mon,   11/18/2013 |10 | |Research Paper |research. Address each of the following in your paper: |11:59 PM MST | | | | | | | | |Define the scientific method. How does it relate to human services research? | | | | | | | | | |What are the steps in the process of scientific inquiry? Why must each of these steps be | | | | |included to support the scientific method? Provide a human services research example of the | | | | |scientific method and identify each step within your example. | | | | | | | | | |Define quantitative research and qualitative research. Explain how they differ and relate...

Words: 2292 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Fundamentals of Research Paper

...Fundamentals of Research Paper This paper will discuss the fundamentals of research and how it can be applied in the field of human services. Example of scientific methods related to the human services will also be provided. A brief description explaining the differences of quantitative research and qualitative research models and how they relate to field of human services and the scientific method will also be given. Also the concerns of quantitative and quality research methodology will be addressed. A brief summary of how scientifically sound researches supports the function of a human services manager will be discussed as well. According to dictionary.com scientific methods is defined as a method of research in which a problem is identified, relevant data are gathered, a hypothesis if formulated from these data, and the hypothesis is empirically tested (dictornary.com). In other words scientific methods are steps that researchers follow in order to test, acquire, and describe different options during the planning stage. Research is needed in the human service field. Let say that there is a large rapid increase child abuse or homeliness, the rapid increase requires results to the question of why the rapid increase. By the use of research the answer to these questions can be answered by the collection of data, observation, and experiment can offer assistance in the field of human services. Scientific inquiry is a way to investigate...

Words: 1020 - Pages: 5