The Social Work Podcast 144: Experimental Research Design (Part 1): Interview with Bruce Thyer, PhD, LCSW
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Jul 1, 2025 Dr. Bruce Thyer, a Distinguished Research Professor and former Dean at Florida State University, dives into the world of experimental research designs in social work. He discusses the evolution of these designs, from basic surveys to complex analyses, stressing their ethical importance. Thyer highlights practical applications through real-world examples, such as a dental healthcare study. He also emphasizes the critical role of random assignment and the need for rigorous evaluation of psychosocial interventions, aiming to empower social workers in their practice.
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Evolution of Social Work Research
- Social work has long used research methods to improve effectiveness, evolving from simple surveys to advanced statistical analyses like t-tests and ANOVA.
- These tools enable quantification of client change and deeper understanding of what interventions truly work.
Randomization Solves Bias Problem
- Quasi-experimental designs use multiple groups without random assignment, allowing comparison of different treatments but risking bias from pre-existing differences.
- Random assignment was developed to ensure equivalent groups, enhancing causal inference in experiments.
Simple Low-Cost Experiment Example
- A student office manager was encouraged to run a simple, low-cost randomized experiment to increase Medicaid children's dental visits by sending appointment reminders.
- This example shows how everyday practice settings can offer easy opportunities for meaningful experimental research.
