Measurements in Social Work Research

Measurements in Social Work Research Amy Salomone SW 4810 Wayne State University

Measurements in Social Work Research

Turning Point is an agency works with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. There are three components to the agency. The first is the administration building, which is staffed by counselors and social workers; here survivors can seek personal or group counseling. The second component is shelter; at shelter, the survivors who are in lethal or threatening situations can seek refuge from their abusers; they are offered a safe place to stay while they figure out their next steps in the healing process. Also within shelter is the crisis line, which, battered individuals can call and talk to someone whether it just be to listen to someone, or to safety plan for that individuals protection. The last component of the agency is the Community Advocacy Program, or CAP. CAP works with survivors in the community; the survivor is paired up with an advocate for 12 weeks and they work together providing emotional support and gathering resources for whatever the survivors needs may be. The client population at this agency ranges from destitute individuals that left home with nothing to middle class individuals just looking for a safe place to stay. This being the case, the measurement process is highly impacted. Not all of the clients have access to a computer, so a survey would have to be administered with a hardcopy of the questionnaire; because of the transient nature of the clients it would have to be completed promptly by the recipient. That being said, the questionnaire should be very brief and easy to understand so it will only take a few minutes to complete and return. My survey will measure the effectiveness of the CAP program at this agency. My population will include all clients that have taken part in the full 12-weeks of the CAP program; however, my sample will only include those clients that have taken part in the program in the last 6 months (2 cycles of the program). I am administering this survey,

Measurements in Social Work Research

because CAP is not a program used at every domestic violence and sexual assault agency. It is a fairly new program, and I am curious whether or not the help and support from the advocates is having a significant enough impact on the survivors in order to justify its continuation. In the article, Advocacy interventions to reduce or eliminate violence and promote the physical and psychosocial well-being of women who experience intimate partner abuse the researchers goal was to assess the effects of advocacy interventions conducted within or outside of healthcare settings on women who have experienced intimate partner abuse (Ramsay et al, p. 5). The study used a series of scales and questionnaires to collect the data and determine instances of physical abuse, depression, and quality of life to name a few. The study concluded that advocacy may help terminate physical abuse in women leaving shelter after, but only after 12 months of leaving. The study also concluded that advocacy can help improve the quality of life for the survivor (Ramsay et al., 2009). This is in direct relation with my study, because I am testing the effectiveness of the community advocacy program at a domestic violence and sexual assault agency.

Measurements in Social Work Research

References Ramsay J, et al. Advocacy interventions to reduce or eliminate violence and promote the physical and psychosocial well-being of women who experience intimate partner abuse. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2009; 3. Retrieved from: www.campbellcollaboration.org/lib/download/689/

Measurements in Social Work Research

CAP SATISFACTION SURVEY 1. How old are you (in years)? ___________ 2. Where are you currently living? (Circle one) In shelter With abuser With Friends/Relatives I own/rent a home Other 3. Do you have any children? (Circle one) Yes No 4. If yes, how many children? _________ 5. Do you believe CAP has helped you? (Circle one) Yes No Unsure 6. How satisfied are you with the services you received through the CAP program? (Circle one) Extremely dissatisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Neutral Somewhat Satisfied Extremely Satisfied 7. Do you feel more capable and empowered as a result of being involved in CAP? (Circle one) Yes No Unsure 8. Any positive or negative feedback to help improve the program, provide below. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Measurements in Social Work Research

CODEBOOK Question #1 in the survey: How old are you in years? Variable label: Age Variable description: Age of Client in Years Variable values: Range from 1- 95, SYSMIS=999 Level of Measurement: Ratio Question #2 in the survey: Where are you currently living? Variable label: ClientLiving Variable description: Where Client is Living Variable values: 1= In shelter, 2 = With abuser, 3 = With Friends/Relatives, 4 = I own/rent a home, 5= Other SYSMIS= 999 Level of Measurement: Nominal Question #3 in the survey: Do you have any children? Variable label: Clientkids Variable description: Clients Parental Status Variable values: 1 = Yes, 2 = No, SYSMIS= 999 Level of Measurement: Nominal Question #4 in the survey: If yes, how many?? Variable label: kidcount Variable description: Number of children the client has Variable values: Range from 1-95, SYSMIS=999 Level of Measurement: Ratio Question #5 in the survey: Do you believe CAP has helped you? Variable label: CAPhelp Variable description: Did CAP Help Client? Variable values: 1= Yes, 2= No, 3= Unsure, SYSMIS= 999 Level of Measurement: Nominal Question #6 in the survey: How satisfied are you with the services you received through the CAP program? Variable label: CAPsatsfaction Variable description: Satisfaction with CAP Program Variable values: 1= Extremely Dissatisfied, 2= Somewhat Dissatisfied, 3=Somewhat Satisfied, 4= Extremely Satisfied, SYSMIS= 999. Level of Measurement: Ordinal

Measurements in Social Work Research

Question #7 in the survey: Do you feel more capable and empowered as a result of being involved in CAP? Variable label: CAPeCapmpower Variable description: Clients Feelings of Empowerment After CAP Variable values: 1= Yes, 2 = No, 3= Unsure, SYSMIS= 999 Level of Measurement: Nominal Question #8 in the survey: Do you have any negative or positive feedback to help improve the program? Variable label: Feedback Variable description: Positive/Negative Feedback on the program Variable values: String variable Level of Measurement: Qualitative Data