ABSTRACT
In experimental/causal studies where causality is to be determined, the researcher actively manipulates/changes/moves the independent variable and measures the result in the dependent variable. In these types of studies the researcher has control of the independent variable and to measure the resulting change in the dependent variable. There are many situations where social worker as a social work researcher cannot manipulate or move the independent variable and other situations where it is not ethical and would be completely outside the standards of social work to manipulate that variable. One of the most important aspects of good difference/association research is to use random sampling procedures so that the differences or associations found can be accepted as validly representing the population. Research using the designs is focused on exploring existence, amount and description. Descriptive designs are ones that use measurement to describe phenomena, populations or samples.
