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Outcome studies of social, behavioral, and educational interventions: emerging issues and challenges
- Authors:
- FRASER Mark W., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 21(6), November 2011, pp.619-635.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Outcome studies attempt to make causal inferences about the effects of social interventions, educational programmes, health behaviour strategies, and policy changes. The purpose of this article is to describe the core features of outcome research and then to explore issues confronting researchers who engage in outcome studies. Outcome research serves 2 purposes: description and explanation. Using an intervention research perspective, descriptive and explanatory methods are distinguished. Emphasis is placed on the counterfactual causal perspective, designing programmes that fit culture and context, and developing nuanced explanations for programme outcomes. Five emerging challenges are discussed: adapting interventions to the contexts and cultures in which programmes are to be implemented; avoiding potentially false attributions of programme failure due to differential implementation; making causal inferences from observational data with propensity score analysis (PSA); examining person-centred outcomes in programme evaluation; and adjusting for rater effects in longitudinal research.
Preschool social–emotional skills training: a controlled pilot test of the Making Choices and Strong Families programs
- Authors:
- CONNER Natalie W., FRASER Mark W.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 21(6), November 2011, pp.699-711.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Skill in solving social problems appears to be strongly related to child development outcomes. The purpose of this study was to pilot test a multicomponent programme, focused specifically on social-information processing skills, which was designed to prevent aggressive behaviour in preschool children. The programme was an adaptation of the Making Choices and Strong Families programmes. The first programme component was comprised of social–emotional skills training, and focused on improving the social information processing and emotional-regulation skills of children. The second component was a group-based parenting education, which focused on child development and discipline. The pilot was implemented in 4 preschools in high-risk neighbourhoods within a large metropolitan area. A total of 31 participants were assigned to the intervention and 36 to the waitlist comparison. Using worker ratings and child puppet-play assessments, pretest and posttest data were collected on 14 child and parent behaviours. The gain scores of children in the intervention group differed significantly from those in the comparison group on academic competence, social competence, depression, and aggressive behaviour. Parent gain scores differed significantly, favouring the intervention group on parental bonding, child supervision, communication, and developmental expectations.
Social policy for children and families: a risk and resilience perspective
- Authors:
- JENSON Jeffrey M., FRASER Mark W.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 416p.
- Place of publication:
- Los Angeles, CA
- Edition:
- 2nd ed.
This book aims to help students understand effective public policy development. The editors argue that a public health framework rooted in ecological theory and based on principles of risk, protection, and resilience is essential for the successful design of social policy. In this new edition, contributing authors apply the editors’ conceptual model across the areas of social policy, including child welfare, education, mental health, health, developmental disabilities, substance use, and juvenile justice and poverty. Written by experts in the respective fields, the chapters come together to provide a holistic approach to social policy and service integration across different systems of care. The book includes policy examples, discussion questions, web-based resources, and case studies to prompt critical thinking, advocacy, and future research. Updated and detailed explanations of recent policy developments are provided in seven critical areas affecting children and families, such as health care. This edition contains a new chapter aimed at reducing poverty among children and families, and more content on evidence-based practice and program evaluation.
A controlled trial of the Making Choices program: six-month follow-up
- Authors:
- FRASER Mark W., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 21(2), March 2011, pp.165-176.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article describes the post-intervention outcomes of a controlled trial of a school-based prevention programme designed to prevent aggressive behaviour in childhood. Findings are reported 6 months after the end of the programme. Data were collected from 3 sequential cohorts of third graders in 2 public elementary schools, a total of 443 children. The Year 1 cohort received a routine health curriculum. The Year 2 cohort received the Making Choices programme. The Year 3 cohort received the Making Choices programme plus enhancements to promote behavioural generalisation. Data was obtained using teacher reports of children’s school behaviour. The results showed that, 6 months after the end of prevention services, children in the intervention cohorts demonstrated significantly lower aggressive behaviour when compared to children in the comparison cohort. The effects of the 2 programmes were not significantly different. Both interventions appear to produce positive behavioural effects at follow-up.
Steps in intervention research: designing and developing social programs
- Authors:
- FRASER Mark W., GALINSKY Maeda J.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 20(5), September 2010, pp.459-466.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Intervention research is the systematic study of purposive change strategies, and is a vital aspect of evidence-based practice. It is characterised by both the design and development of interventions. In this article the authors discuss lessons and issues from their work in child development in order to formulate a revised model describing the design and development of interventions. This article describes this 5-step model which outlines core activities in designing and developing social programmes. The model comprises: develop problem and programme theories; design programme materials and measures; confirm and refine programme components in efficacy tests; test effectiveness in a variety of practice settings; and disseminate program findings and materials. Last, using a risk and protective factor perspective, the adaptation of interventions for new settings and populations are discussed. Critical issues in this model include the importance of matching research questions to research designs, the sequential testing and revising of programme materials, and the anticipation of environmental contingencies affecting implementation.
Conduct problems and peer rejection in childhood: A randomized trial of the making choices and strong families programmes
- Authors:
- FRASER Mark W., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 14(5), September 2004, pp.313-324.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article discusses the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention designed to disrupt developmental processes associated with conduct problems and peer rejection in childhood. Compared with 41 children randomized to a wait list control condition, 45 children in an intervention condition received a social skills training programme. At the same time, their parents participated in an in-home family intervention. Compared with control group children, intervention children demonstrated significant improvements on five of six outcome measures. Differences between the experimental and control groups suggest the programmes strengthen children’s prosocial behavior, promote their ability to regulate emotions, and increase social contact with peers. Intervention also was associated with significant improvements in classroom comportment and decreases in relational aggression, a measure of coercion in peer relationships. The findings are consistent with those of other programs effective in interrupting risk processes associated with conduct problems in childhood and early adolescence.
Intervention research in social work: recent advances and continuing challenges
- Author:
- FRASER Mark W.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 14(3), May 2004, pp.210-222.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The purpose of this article is to review substantive and methodological advances in interventive research. Three substantive advances are discussed: (a) the growing use of a risk factor perspective, (b) the emergence of practice-relevant micro social theories, and (c) the increased acceptance of structured treatment protocols and manual. In addition, three methodological developments are discussed. They include new developments for dealing with attrition, for dealing with selection effects, and for decomposing complexities using text and numerical analyses. Arguing that intervention research holds the potential to unify research scholarship in social work, the conclusion discusses ongoing challenges associated with the implementation of new programmes, variance in outcomes by method, reactivity to measurement, and construct validity in the context of culture.
Research awards in the Society for Social Work and Research, 1996-2000
- Authors:
- CRAIG Carlton D., COOK Patricia G., FRASER Mark W.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 14(1), January 2004, pp.51-56.
- Publisher:
- Sage
In 1995, the Society for Social Work and Research developed an awards programme for outstanding social work research scholarship. The purpose of this study is to describe 5 years of exemplary social work research. This article presents the results of a document analysis of 299 journal articles nominated for outstanding research awards between 1996 and 2000. Articles were rated on a variety of characteristics such as research design, method, and analysis strategy. The authors found that survey methods predominate among nominated articles. However, half the award-winning articles described studies involving experimental or comparison groups and the design of interventions. Compared with survey methods, intervention research, which should obtain high priority in a practice profession, is less frequently nominated. Similarly, compared with quantitative methods, qualitative articles, which hold potential for informing practice, are less frequently nominated. Profiling exemplary research can be useful for understanding the current status of social work research.
The reliability and validity of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale
- Authors:
- REED-ASHCRAFT Kellie, KIRK Raymond S, FRASER Mark W.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 11(4), July 2001, pp.503-520.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Reports on the internal consistency and construct validity of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale (NCFAS). The NCFAS is an instrument designed for family assessment and outcome measurement in family preservation services and child welfare.
Examining family reunification services: a process analysis of a successful experiment
- Authors:
- LEWIS Robert E., WALTON Elaine, FRASER Mark W.
- Journal article citation:
- Research on Social Work Practice, 5(3), July 1995, pp.259-282.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Describes the central elements of a family-based reunification service that was found to be effective in reducing foster care placements in Utah. Assesses the relation between types of services and programme outcomes.