To avoid or alleviate practical pitfalls when carrying out experiments in social work agencies, researchers should:
A) Include agency staff in the research planning phase.
B) Keep research staff away from program staff during the study.
C) Avoid developing or using treatment manuals for the experimental or control conditions.
D) Refrain from recruiting clients on an ongoing basis throughout the study.

Question

To avoid or alleviate practical pitfalls when carrying out experiments in social work agencies, researchers should:​
A) ​Include agency staff in the research planning phase.
B) ​Keep research staff away from program staff during the study.
C) ​Avoid developing or using treatment manuals for the experimental or control conditions.
D) ​Refrain from recruiting clients on an ongoing basis throughout the study.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Including agency staff in the research planning phase can help establish a collaborative relationship and ensure that the research aligns with the needs and goals of the agency, reducing potential conflicts or resistance.

As for the other choices: 
B) Keeping research staff away from program staff during the study may limit communication and cooperation, leading to misunderstandings or missed opportunities for feedback. 
C) Developing or using treatment manuals can enhance the intervention's consistency, replicability, and fidelity, minimizing personal biases or deviations from the protocol. 
D) Recruiting clients on an ongoing basis can enhance the sample size, generalizability, and representativeness of the study, although researchers should ensure that the recruitment and consent process complies with ethical and legal standards, and that clients are not excessively burdened or coerced.

To Avoid or Alleviate Practical Pitfalls When Carrying Out Experiments