Description
Direction:
Respond to a colleague’s post by supporting or refuting ideas about his or her vision of how the study might be designed to gather data about the effectiveness of these parenting classes.
Resource:
Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
Chapter 5, “Quantitative Research” (pp. 100-125)
Post 1 NR
Within this research study surrounding the Hernandez case, I believe that the social workers’ goal in designing a pre and posttest was to determine the effectiveness of the parenting classes and the material they taught (Laureate, 2013). Essentially, they wanted to know if the classes made a difference in participant’s knowledge of parenting. Attrition can be described as a calculation of the number of individuals or items that vacate or move out of a larger, collective group over a specified time frame. One of the social workers was very concerned because attrition had not been accounted for and it would make their results look bad (Laureate, 2013). They did not factor in a population that would take the pre-test but not the post-test. Had they considered attrition, they might have developed a separate post-test for individuals that had not completed the program that would point to why this occurred (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018).
For a research study to determine effectiveness of the parenting group, I would utilize a quasi-experimental design. This is because in this design, there would be a control group, however, participants would not be randomly selected (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018). This parenting group would be required for specific groups of people and it would be important to find a control group with similar variables, in order to account for external factors that might be at play (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018). The study would have to involve measurement over time to understand the lasting effects of the parenting class (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018). There would be a pre-test and post-test involved, meaning that the effects would be determined over a period of time (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018). In this study, parenting skills would be measured/compared between groups. I would accomplish this by administering the AAPI-2.1 (Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory-version 2) to determine child-rearing attitudes (Sandifer, n.d.). There would be some challenges involving internal validity as there would be a period of time that would allow for maturation (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018). As a researcher, I would also need to consider that the individuals required to take this class might have taken some parenting classes in the past that affect their scores (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018). There would also be challenges to external validity as not everyone is going to be required to take parenting classes and it might need to be changed based on where the parenting classes are administered (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers, 2018). Parenting is a very culturally specific concept, which would need to be taken into consideration (Sandifer, n.d.).
I would advise that attrition is an unavoidable issue that must be accounted for. As I mentioned previously, I believe it would be beneficial to have a separate post-test for individuals who do not complete the course and ask specific questions relating to attrition.
Post 2 MW
In the Hernandez case the parents have been ordered to complete parenting classes. The are attending the classes to addresses appropriate discipline for their children (Plummer, Makris & Brocksen, 2014). According to Yegidis, Weinbach & Myers, (2018). “The pre/posttest designs are intended to “conduct observations or interviews or measure key variables twice, generally before and after an event” (pg. 102). I believe in the design of the pre/posttest assessments for the parenting classes the social workers were looking for effectiveness of the teaching. I believe they were looking to see if there were any new learned concepts. I would recommend an experimental design for the parenting classes. The reason being if the group is consistently the same there could be a comparison among the group on the outcomes. The participants would be receiving the same information so there could be a comparison on what each person received from the same information and how they perceived the same information. In order to see if the classes were successful there would have to be an aspect of follow-up to at least six months. The children and the parents should be interviewed to see if new techniques have been implemented and if those that have are resulting in more positive outcomes. Attrition could play a role in the Hernandez case because of the requirements associated with the participation. The requirements could not be feasible for some families which would affect completion rate. In this case there is no need for a control group. The idea is for the whole group to learn new techniques to combat abuse. Since there would be no control group a longitudinal design could answer the question of effectiveness of abusive parenting practices (Yegidis, Weinbach & Myers, 2018).
