BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM SOCW 402 RESEARCH METHODS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE IN COMMUNITY SOCIAL WORK COURSE OUTLINE

Transcription

1 BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM SOCW 402 RESEARCH METHODS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE IN COMMUNITY SOCIAL WORK COURSE OUTLINE Section: F15W70 Semester: Fall 2015 Instructor: Dr. Louise Stern, MSW, PhD Online Office Hours: Virtual Office Hours as requested by students Office Phone: , Local Skype: louise.stern3 COURSE DESCRIPTION SOCW 402 Research Methods for Social Change in Community Social Work An exploration of methods and methodology for community based research with a focus on exploring and changing social situations/issues. Grounded in critical social work, this course will allow students opportunities to integrate the concepts and skills they have developed. Topics include participation methods, ethically sensitive research, power, and oppression. (3:0:0) Prerequisite: None.

2 Page 2 LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Demonstrate the ways in which research can inform social work practice specific to social change and social justice 2. Critically evaluate research methodologies, analysis and interpretation 3. Define and appropriately apply to practice the basic terms, concepts and processes of qualitative and quantitative research 4. Have a basic understanding of different research paradigms and methodologies 5. Critically explore and understand ethical issues and its potential impacts on the research process, including research with marginalized and oppressed groups (such as First Nations, women, LGBTQ, racialized and minority groups) 6. Be familiar with the steps involved in conducting a research project REQUIRED TEXTS: D Cruz, H. & Jones, M. (2014). Social Work Research in Practice: Ethical and Political Contexts. Los Angeles: Sage Publications. ** Please ensure you get the 2 nd Edition of this text. Other assigned readings will be provided to students on the VIULearn site. Supplemental Text: Van der Sande, A., and Schwartz, K. (2011) Research for Social Justice: A Community Based Approach. Toronto: Fernwood Publishing. CLASS FORMAT AND ASSIGNMENTS An interactive approach will be used in this course. Students are expected to follow the course from week to week, especially since they will be involved in small group work and that the assignments are scheduled throughout the course. Students are expected to complete the readings and the learning activities. Students should consider that like a face to face class, in that engagement with the material will take approximately 3 hours per week. If a student is not keeping pace with the class, nor completing the learning activities, the instructor will review their progress with them. The quality of written work must be appropriate for academic work and students must use APA style formatting and referencing. An excellent resource for this is available here APA.

3 Page 3 Because this topic can be intimidating to students, peer support and learning can be really useful. As well, the instructor will be available to you to help with any concerns you may have regarding the learning. There will be an emphasis on creating our own online community of support, respect and safety within the process. As well, if you need assistance and are nearby any campus of Vancouver Island University you can contact student supports here: It is recommended that you keep an academic journal of the insights you have gained through readings and online discussion activities. You can reflect on the learning accomplished using your journal to strengthen the quality of work you submit in graded assignments. SOCIAL WORK CODE OF ETHICS Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work program at Vancouver Island University are expected to comply with the social work Code of Ethics within the jurisdiction in which they are residing. In Canada, students are expected to have read and comply with the Canadian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics located here: Non-compliance with the Code of Ethics can result in discontinuation from the Bachelor of Social Work program. PARTICIPATION Active participation where forums and discussion groups are either optional or required is encouraged to assist with the learning of course material and (where required) facilitate course completion. Students are expected to follow the online course on a weekly basis and keep up with the work. The instructor will follow up with students who appear to be falling behind to ensure that they will successfully complete the class content and assignments. If a student does not complete the entirety of the course, the instructor will review participation in the course and whether it can be completed.

4 Page 4 METHOD OF STUDENT EVALUATION: The objectives of this course are for you to complete a research proposal based on a topic of interest to you that is informed by your practice and/or professional queries. Therefore, the assignments are created to help students work towards this goal, both independently and in small groups. There are two areas of evaluation: the first is the development of the research proposal which will be done incrementally. The second will be in the context of small groups where you will be working together through some of the course content. Each student will be responsible for facilitating a discussion group and creating documentation of said discussion. 1. RESEARCH PROPOSAL (75%) a. Introduction (Week 5) (10%) Students will provide a brief description of the topic under investigation and its relevance to social work. Included will be a clear statement of a research question; an explanation of the main terms and concepts; and theoretical framework. (3 pages) b. Literature Review (Week 8) (20%) Students will provide a summary of the academic/research literature related to the topic under investigation. The focus will be on recent studies and must include a brief description of the gaps in knowledge and how the student s study will attempt to address these gaps. (5 pages) c. Methodology/Research Design (Week 10) (15%) Students will provide the study s proposed sampling and recruitment strategies; methods of data collection; methods of analysis; and any ethical issues to consider. d. Research Poster (Week 12) (30%) Students will prepare a poster that displays their research proposal. Templates for this assignment will be provided by the instructor. Students will peer evaluate each other s posters in their small groups.

5 Page 5 2. SMALL GROUP WORK (5 x 5% =25%) a. Research Question (Week 3) b. Methods (Week 6) c. Sampling (Week 7) d. Analysis (Week 9) e. Peer Review (Week 12) Students are expected to review the following policy with respect to grade appeals: HANDLING OF STUDENT WORK 1. Students are responsible for retaining a copy of all submitted work. 2. All assignments to be submitted to the instructors on the due date as assigned and scheduled on the VIULearn site. Handing in an assignment late will result in a deduction of marks. Students can discuss extensions with the instructor prior to the due date based on extenuating circumstances (illness, family emergencies for example). The extension will be determined at the instructor s discretion. 3. Assignment rewrites will be determined at the instructor s discretion and based on extenuating circumstances of individual student situations. 4. Assignments must be submitted through the corresponding dropbox in the VIULearn site, unless pre-arranged with the instructor. 5. Every effort will be made to return assignments to students within two weeks. You will receive comments and marks through the evaluation section or directly on the submitted assignment. 6. Students can make an appointment with their instructor to review and discuss their exams, assignments or course grade. 7. All grades for the course will be posted on the VIULearn site, and final grades will be posted for each student to view in their VIU online student record.

6 Page 6 LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS/MISSED EXAMS: CONSEQUENCES All assignments are to be submitted by the due date and all tests are to be written on the date specified. If extenuating circumstances arise such as illness or emergency and assignment submission by the due date will not be possible, or completion of tests not possible on the scheduled date, please discuss this with the instructor prior to the date the assignment is due. Penalties for Late Submission of Assignments: 1. Up to and including three calendar days past deadline, deduct ½ letter grade (e.g., B to B-). Four to seven calendar days past deadline, deduct one full letter grade (e.g. B to C+). 2. Any assignment more than seven calendar days late may not be accepted. If accepted, the late penalty will be determined by the instructor. Missed Exams Make up exams or assignments are at the discretion of the instructor. GENERAL REGULATIONS AND STUDENT CONDUCT Students are expected to review and adhere to the General Regulations and Student Conduct Code (Policy 32.05): Students are expected to review and adhere to the Faculty of Health and Human Services Policies and Procedures listed here: It is an expectation that students will have read the BSW Student Handbook in its entirety and understand its contents. The student handbook can be located here: Academic Integrity Academic integrity is expected of all students. Please read through the Student Academic Code of Conduct policy ( to ensure that you are aware of VIU s expectations. Violations of the academic code of conduct will be taken seriously and acted upon according to this policy.

7 Page 7 STUDENT SUPPORTS 1. BSW Homepage 2. Vancouver Island University Calendar: 3. VIU Learning Matters: 4. VIU Writing Center: 5. Student Affairs Department: 6. Vancouver Island University student information: 7. Online APA style referencing sites provided under the APA style referencing link located here: APA Style Referencing Helpful Websites 8. Online access to Instructor through BSW GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 1 Students must have completed at least 120 university-level credits and have completed all the required core and elective courses to be eligible for the Bachelor of Social Work degree. 2 A minimum "C+" average on all required courses with no grade lower than "C". 3 It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all requirements for the degree are met. Students are encouraged to consult the social work program Advisor for information and guidance.

8 Page 8 Grades will be assigned according to the Vancouver Island University GRADE SCALE. GRADE SCALE TABLE Grade Percent Grade Point Description age (%) Value A A Excellent A B B Good B C C Satisfactory C D Poor F Failing work Unsatisfactory performance or failure to meet course requirements. CR N/A 0.00 Course passed Requirements completed, but not calculated in GPA. INC N/A 0.00 Incomplete If course requirements are not completed after 90 days from the course end date, the INC grade will automatically become an F grade. CS N/A 0.00 Continuing Status In good standing. Course is delivered over 2 terms, separated by a break. Final mark to be issued at end of 2nd term. AUD N/A 0.00 Audit INP N/A 0.00 In Progress In good standing. Student must re-enroll within one year. NGS N/A 0.00 No Grade Submitted yet; neither Pass nor Fail.