Statistical significance study

For instance, if researchers are looking to determine if an intervention results in the desired change, they will want to know if that change occurred by chance (statistical significance) or if it was possibly caused by the intervention itself. Researchers have two options here: either measure the same people before and after they receive the intervention to see if the condition improves, or compare those who do and do not receive the intervention to see if there is a difference.

Two groups of people could receive different interventions, and researchers could see how each responds. Rigorous research design helps account for confounding variables (such as time, conditions, group differences in other factors, etc.) that could otherwise explain the observed shifts. Read up on statistical significance as part of your homework for this Discussion. Statistical significance study

explanation of how the difference between statistical significance and the true importance (clinical significance) of the relationship between variables or the degree of difference between groups affect your practice decision making. Be sure to include an explanation of what statistical significance means. Include an example from a quantitative study that found statistically significant differences. Discuss whether the results of the study would—or should—influence your practice as a social worker. Please use the resources to support your answer. Statistical significance study
suggest how statistical significance can be used in a research and practice. Consider practical issues such as whether a social worker is looking for a treatment approach that might be more effective than what he or she has been using, whether the participants in the study are similar or different from the client the social worker is treating, or decisions about whether to continue a program. Please use the resources to support your answer. apa format

Bauer, S., Lambert, M. J., & Nielsen, S. L. (2004). Clinical significance methods: A comparison of statistical techniques. Journal of Personality Assessment, 82, 60–70.

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

Discussion 2: Statistical Significance and Variables

Research studies often compare variables, conditions, times, and/or groups of participants to evaluate relationships between variables or differences between groups or times. For example, if researchers are interested in knowing whether an intervention produces change in the desired direction, they will want to know whether the change is due to chance (statistical significance) or possibly due to the intervention. Statistical significance study

In this case, researchers could use a pre and post measurement of the same participants on the condition being treated, or they could compare a group of individuals who receive the intervention to a group that does not receive the intervention. Researchers could also compare two groups of individuals who receive different interventions. The rigor of the research design helps control for other factors that might account for the changes (e.g., time, conditions, group differences in other factors, etc.). To prepare for this Discussion, consider the concept of statistical significance. Statistical significance study

BY DAY 5

Post your explanation of how the difference between statistical significance and the true importance (clinical significance) of the relationship between variables or the degree of difference between groups affect your practice decision making. Be sure to include an explanation of what statistical significance means. Include an example from a quantitative study that found statistically significant differences. Discuss whether the results of the study would—or should—influence your practice as a social worker. Please use the resources to support your answer.

Post an evaluation of the proposed study design described in the case study file. Explain whether the outcome of Chris’ study with her client George would lead you to adopt the model of case management with solution-focused and task-centered approaches, and substantiate your choice. Provide recommendations for improvements should Chris and her colleagues wish to submit the study to the evidence-based practice registry. Include a rationale for your recommendations. Statistical significance study

BY DAY 5

Respond to at least two colleagues by doing all of the following: Statistical significance study

Offer an analysis of their evaluations and subsequent recommendation. Note both strengths and areas that could be improved.
Identify areas where your own original recommendations or evaluation was similar to or different from your colleagues’ original evaluation and explain why. Statistical significance study

Colleague 1: Katherine

Post an evaluation of the proposed study design described in the case study file.

The proposed study design described in the case study is using a multiple-baseline, single-subject design. Each case manager will choose a client that is new to their caseload to participate, they will explain the study to the client and then obtain an informed consent signed by the client. The case worker then identifies three areas that require assistance within the client’s life.

The case manager and client will discuss each step and rate it on a 10-point scale. Any new client problems were addressed during that time and rated as well. Each week the case manager and client will meet and re-rate the three areas of care. At the end of three months all the data was gathered and placed into a chart.

Explain whether the outcome of Chris’ study with her client George would lead you to adopt the model of case management with solution-focused and task-centered approaches and substantiate your choice.

The outcomes of Chris’ study were good, and it was easy to understand when and where the client was making progress but one aspect that I wasn’t impressed with was that even though you could see the growth or lack thereof, you didn’t know to what extent or where to pick up from if you wanted to continue just from reading the charts. Overall, I believe the model of case management and solution-focused and task-centered approaches is a good choice for this client population. Statistical significance study

“The most likely situation that would be appropriate for this kind of design, for most social workers, would be the use of a relatively standardized intervention such as solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) to sequentially work with a client on several problem areas” (Mattaini, p 255). Therefore, in this case and one’s similar to it I would adopt this model of case management with solution-focused and task-centered approaches. Statistical significance study

Provide recommendations for improvements should Chris and her colleagues wish to submit the study to the evidence-based practice registry. Include a rationale for your recommendations.

The first improvement I would recommend is that more data is collected over a longer period of time. There is not a true representation of what this study can show based on a few clients over a 6–8-week span. Also, there is no data that shows whether it is effective in the long-term scheme of things either.

Also, establishing evidence-based practices would be a good recommendation as well. “A practice may be considered evidence based when a minimum of five single-subject studies that meet minimally acceptable methodological criteria and document experimental control have been published in peer-reviewed journals, (b) the studies are conducted by at least three different researchers across at least three different geographic locations, and (c) the five or more studies include a total of at least 20 participants” (Mattaini, p 267).

References Statistical significance study

Mattaini, M. A. (2010). Single-system studies. In B. Thyer (Ed.), The handbook of social work research

methods (2^nd ed., pp. 241-273). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (PDF). https://content.waldenu.edu/content/dam/laureate/l…