Statistical analysis software is a valuable tool that helps researchers perform the complex calculations

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Statistical analysis software is a valuable tool that helps researchers perform the complex calculations. However, to use such a tool effectively, the study must be well designed. The social worker must understand all the relationships involved in the study. He or she must understand the study’s purpose and select the most appropriate design. The social worker must correctly represent the relationship being examined and the variables involved. Finally, he or she must enter those variables correctly into the software package. This assignment will allow you to analyze in detail the decisions made in the “Social Work Research: Chi Square” case study and the relationship between study design and statistical analysis. Assume that the data has been entered into SPSS and you’ve been given the output of the chi-square results. (See Week 4 Handout: Chi-Square findings).

Submit a 1-page paper of the following:

An analysis of the relationship between study design and statistical analysis used in the case study that includes:

  • An explanation of why you think that the agency created a plan to evaluate the program

An explanation of why the social work agency in the case study chose to use a chi square statistic to evaluate whether there is a difference between those who participated in the program and those who did not (Hint: Think about the level of measurement of the variables)

 

  • A description of the research design in terms of observations (O) and interventions (X) for each group.

 

  • Interpret the chi-square output data. What do the data say about the program?

Discuss the premise, benefit, and limitations of nondirective interviewing. To what extent do basic interviewing methods align with core conditions of the person-centered approach, and how do you assess the demonstration of skills in the Theories in Action:

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Core Conditions

Discuss the premise, benefit, and limitations of nondirective interviewing. To what extent do basic interviewing methods align with core conditions of the person-centered approach, and how do you assess the demonstration of skills in the Theories in Action: Person-Centered Counseling media presentation? Provide specific illustrations from Jose and Dr. Ed Neukrug’s session, and compare to Boyer’s examination of early implementation of Roger’s core conditions.

Theories in Action  Person Centered Counseling  Mr. Tim Seibles:

The heart of person-centered counseling rests on three critical personality characteristics that Carl Rogers, the founder of this therapy and philosophy of living, believed were critical: congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy.  People who are congruent are real, genuine, or transparent with others. Their feelings, thoughts and behaviors are in sync. However, it is important to note the therapists who are congruent do not necessarily express moment-to-moment feelings with clients as sometimes, such feelings can rapidly change and often deepen over time. However, it is important for the therapist to express feelings toward his or her client, even negative ones, if such feelings are persistent. Otherwise, the relationship would be marred by falseness or incongruity.  Unconditional positive regard is the ability to provide the client with a sense of acceptance regardless of what feelings or experiences are expressed by the client. Such acceptance allows the client to feel safe within the relationship and to delve deeper into him or herself. Person-centered counselors believe that individuals are born with the need to be loved and when significant others such as parents do not provide unconditional positive regard, children end up living as they believe others would want them to be, as opposed to being who they really are.  The last quality, empathic understanding has been one of the most widely used tools of the counseling relationship regardless of theoretical orientation, and has been shown to be a critical factor in positive therapeutic outcomes. Empathy can be demonstrated in many ways including accurately reflecting the client’s meaning and affect using a metaphor, analogy or visual image, or simply nodding one’s head or gently touching the client during the client’s deepest moments of pain. A therapist, who shows empathy is with the client, hears the client, understands the client fully and is able to communicate such understanding to the client. Let’s join Dr. Ed Neukrug as he tries to embody the characteristics of congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy with Jose who is discussing some concerns he has about his mother and younger brother.

 What theory will you be applying first (Biological, Learning, or Psychoanalytic)? If you selected Learning Theory, you MUST ALSO state whether you will be describing Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, or Social Learning.  

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  • This assessment will be used to determine how well you have learned Course Learning Outcome 1, “Analyze human behavior using theories from the major theoretical perspectives of psychology.”
  • You will be writing ONCE and ONLY ONCE about each of the following behaviors: Aggression, Being Organized, and Smoking.
  • For each behavior, you must apply ONE of the theoretical perspectives to explain how that behavior may have been acquired. You must use each theory once, and only once. For example, if you use Biological Theory to explain ‘Aggression’, you may NOT use Biological Theory for either ‘Being Organized’ or ‘Smoking.’ You only need to write a brief description (probably around 3 sentences or less!) for each.
  • 1.  What theory will you be applying first (Biological, Learning, or Psychoanalytic)? If you selected Learning Theory, you MUST ALSO state whether you will be describing Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, or Social Learning.
  • 2.  Please use that theory to explain how one of the behaviors (Aggression, Being Organized, or Smoking) may have been acquired (Three sentences or so!)
  • 3.  What theory will you be applying second (Biological, Learning, or Psychoanalytic)? If you selected Learning Theory, you MUST ALSO state whether you will be describing Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, or Social Learning.
  • 4.   Please use that theory to explain how one of the behaviors (Aggression, Being Organized, or Smoking) may have been acquired (Three sentences or so!)
  • 5.  What theory will you be applying third (Biological, Learning, or Psychoanalytic)? If you selected Learning Theory, you MUST ALSO state whether you will be describing Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, or Social Learning.
  • 6.  lease use that theory to explain how one of the behaviors (Aggression, Being Organized, or Smoking) may have been acquired (Three sentences or so!)
  • 7.  Please cut-and-paste your APA style references that you used to complete this assignment (if you are not familiar with APA style, please see the announcements page for some more information.

How has your own “web of belief” influenced how you have analyzed and evaluated the author’s argument? (at least 300-350 words) [20 points] Make sure that you reflect throughly on this question, and relate it to the specific argument you chose to analyze—after all, we all have this “web” that influences our thinking!

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Argument Analysis Assignment: [105 points] Students are required to select an editorial or opinion piece to analyze, requirements are listed below.

1) State the conclusion that the author is trying to support (only one sentence) [5 points] This should only be one sentence.

2) What are all of the premises and supporting evidence that the author uses to support the conclusion? (at least 250-300 words) [20 points] Make sure that you identify ALL of the premises and supporting evidence that the author uses. Putting the arugment into standard form is highly recommended. If you have any questions about standard form, be sure to ask!

3) For each of the premises you identified above, answer the following: is the premise factually warranted by the evidence presented? Why or why not? (at least 300-350 words) [20 points] That is, you’ll need to address each premise separately, one by one, and answer this question for each of them. And remember: this is not a question regarding whether you agree with the author; rather it is a question of whether the author has provided (good) evidence for their view. If the author has relied on an assumption instead of evidence, be sure to state the assumption.

4) Are there any fallacies in the argument? What are they and how might they influence the audience? Or, if you cannot identify any fallacies in the argument, what are the 2 weakest premises in the argument and why might the audience find them weak? (at least 300-350 words) [20 points] Make sure that you look thoroughly for these fallacies—many arguments contain at least one! 

5) Imagine that you had a different perspective from that of the author. What kind of argument and evidence might you use to get them to see your point of view? (at least 250-300 words) [20 points] You can either present an argument here, or you can explain the kind of argument and evidence that would be appropriate here.

6) How has your own “web of belief” influenced how you have analyzed and evaluated the author’s argument? (at least 300-350 words) [20 points] Make sure that you reflect throughly on this question, and relate it to the specific argument you chose to analyze—after all, we all have this “web” that influences our thinking!

the author should be trying to convince the reader of his/her conclusion, so editorial and opinion pieces are the most suitable for this assignment. Straightforward news items would not be suitable.

Sources: On-line newspapers and magazines are the most obvious choices. If you have any questions regarding the appropriateness of a piece,