Tel: Tuesdays 12:00-2:45

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1 California State University, Sacramento Division of Social Work Dr. Jude M. Antonyappan Spring 2015 Office: 5023 Mariposa Hall Office Hours Tel: Tuesdays 12:00-2:45 SW 210 Research Methodology for Social Workers (Methods of Social Research) CSUS Catalog Course Description An examination of quantitative and qualitative methods of social work. Includes problem formulation, selection of various conceptual frameworks, research designs, sampling, collecting data, experimental design and computer technology. Instructor s Extended Version of the Course This course is designed to enhance students knowledge, understanding and appreciation of research methods and techniques. Emphasis is placed on strategies for conducting research that examines the strengths, capacities, beliefs, attitudes and values of human populations and social work practice. The course components help students attain proficiency in the methods and the processes of research in order to evolve as accountable professionals. Students will acquire the ability to develop and analyze outcome measures rooted in the knowledge of scientific research methods. They are expected to develop competencies in the overall research process involving the concepts of measurement, design, analysis and decision making with the use of both quantitative and qualitative techniques. For this purpose students are expected to identify and state a research question related to client/group/agency/community outcome grounded in social work practice; substantiate the research problem through appropriate review of literature; and demonstrate sensitivity to issues of diversity, pluralism and ethical considerations in social work practice and research. The reading materials from sources adhering to the Council for Social Work Education Curriculum policy standards will help students develop the necessary competencies for evaluation of social work practice and for conducting social work research in general. Throughout the semester, students will be motivated to actively participate in the process of mastering the problem formulation, acquiring skills in determining the right research design, designing ethically sound studies, developing appropriate data collection tools, collecting the right kind of data, concise analysis of data inclusive of statistical procedures, drawing methodologically sound conclusions, scientific research reports writing and above all to evolve as informed consumers of research knowledge in the social work domain as well as published research materials in related disciplines. Course Objectives & Outcomes:

2 When students complete the expected requirements of this course, they will be able to: 1. Develop a knowledge base that includes the capacity to identify and explain the fundamental principles of social work research. This includes identifying situations that are amenable to scientific inquiry and articulate research questions with proficiency in developing and stating abstract and operational hypotheses relevant to the research question and the knowledge base. This objective will be demonstrated by the required research proposal using one of the following methods: grounded theory, ethnography, case study methods, other exploratory methods, single subject designs, experimental group designs and/or descriptive survey research methods 2. Formulate problems into researchable questions, identify problems of research that has direct relevance to multilevel practice with people in vulnerable life conditions and select a research design appropriate for the context of the practice setting and examine the design in relation to the most common threats to internal validity. This objective will be attained through class lectures, discussions and readings; and assessed through the comprehensive midterm examination, group discussions, written summary of readings and the project proposal. 3. Understand the relevance of quantitative and qualitative research methods and appreciate the contextual use of these methods in evaluating significance of research questions for practice and policy advocacy purposes. Students will be able to appreciate the importance of research in social work practice at the micro and macro levels by actively participating in class discussions, completing the required readings and purposeful clarifications during lectures. 4. Utilize the knowledge of sampling required for empirical research in social work practice - in developing a plan for sample selection in the research proposal with the required understanding of the importance of ethical and political considerations in social work research. Students will understand and utilize the process of obtaining informed consent for their master s thesis/project. This will be demonstrated by the required 15 page project proposal that includes the IRB protocol draft. 5. Develop data collection instruments, and become proficient in selecting a means of measurement of variables needed for the examination of the research question(s), with the competencies to decide: (a) Whether the variables should be measured qualitatively or quantitatively (b) What method should be employed for data collection? (c) How to determine the reliability and validity of a chosen method of measuring the variables? This objective will be demonstrated by the use of appropriate measurement instruments in the research proposal and presentations in class and participation in-group discussions.

3 6. Collect, classify and analyze data using statistical methods and logically derived techniques, demonstrating proficiency in parametric and nonparametric statistics. This objective will be demonstrated by drawing conclusions from careful analysis of a given data set and performing the above functions in the context of the given data set. 7. Interpret the data and draw conclusions for the purposes of empirically documenting the effectiveness of new and existing methods of practice with varying client populations. Students will demonstrate the achievement of this objective by the in class group presentations based on the critiquing of published research studies after discussing such published research studies in small groups designed specifically for this purpose. 8. Know the process of evaluating practice and becoming accountable professionals by learning evaluation research methods and discussing studies focused on single subject, group designs and program evaluation and relating these studies to their experiences in their field placement. This objective will be achieved through a short paper on evaluating a component of your agency-field placement such as practice with a client, family or secondary groups. Required Texts: Leedy, E.P., & Ormrod, J. (2013). Practical research: Planning and design. Boston: Pearson. Recommended Texts: Pyrczak, F., & Bruce, R. (2010). Writing empirical research reports. Los Angeles: Pyrczak Publishing. Szafran, F. R. (2007). Social Science research: A cross section of journal articles for discussion and evaluation. Los Angeles: Pyrczak Publishing. Class 1: January 27, 2015 Introduction and course overview Social work research and practice: An introduction 1. Descriptive knowledge 2. Predictive knowledge 3. Prescriptive knowledge 4. Social work scientific research process 5. The environment for social work research process 6. The need for social work research Discussion: Identify different sources of knowledge based on your life experiences and the videos presented in class. Differentiate those sources from the scientific method of obtaining knowledge.

4 Answer the following questions: What are your fears about taking a research class? What do you hope to learn from this class? What experiences have you had that might help in this class? What are the problems that are likely to emerge when a profession s knowledge base and research lag behind its practice? Develop a list of problems and questions that you think need to be researched. What stereotypes you have about research? Required Reading: Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 1 Class 2: 2/3/15 Social work research problems and learning the process of problem researchability 1. Identifying research considerations in a social problem 2. Setting research priorities 3. Identifying the researchable problem 4. Developing methodologically sound research questions 5. Application of these concepts in qualitative research Reflective Activity: Identify a social problem and set research priorities; identify the problem that is measurable, explain the process of obtaining a literature review for the research problem and make a preliminary statement of pertinent research questions. Use this exercise as planning ground for the proposal assignment. Required Reading: Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 2 Class 3: 2/10/15 Basic considerations & factors affecting social work research 1. Agency 2. Worker 3. Researcher 4. Ethical considerations 5. Political Considerations 6. Personal and social values Required Reading: Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 3 Class 4 February 17, Focused research questions 2. Forms of hypotheses: Logic and the linear and non-linear paths 3. Types of relationship expressed in hypothesis 4. Literature review Required Reading:

5 Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 4 Class 5 February 24, 2015 Planning your research project Research designs for Group Comparisons 1. Research designs as a continuum 2. Explanatory - Experimental designs 3. Pre experimental and Quasi experimental designs 4. Internal and External Validity Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 5 Class 6, March 3, 2015 The dialogue of quantitative versus qualitative research: Use of Research Instruments 1. Descriptive research - possibilities for qualitative research 2. Exploratory research - great potential for qualitative research? 3. Explanatory research- attractive for quantitative researchers? 4. Evaluative research - why amenable to both quantitative and qualitative methods? 5. Exploring relationships & Statistical significance 6. Reliability 7. Principles and methods of measurement validity 8. Types of measurement- the need for understanding this concept Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 7 Class 7 March 10, 2015 Data Collection 1. Collection methods 2. Tools 3. Types of data 4. Sources of data 5. Methods of quantification 6. Scales and Questionnaires 7. Content Analysis Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 6 & 8 Class 8 March 17, 2015 Survey Research 1. Explanation of the need for sampling 2. Study population

6 3. Universe 4. Sampling error and sampling bias 5. Types of sampling 6. Cross sectional versus longitudinal survey research 7. The importance of deciding whether the design served the research problem under consideration appropriately Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 9 Spring Break: March March 31: Caesar Chavez s Birthday; Campus closed Class 9, April 7, 2015 Online Mid Term Examination Mid Term Examination is a comprehensive exam comprising multiple choice questions based on research scenarios and cases. Class 10, April 14, 2015 Program Evaluation Need for program evaluation Types of program evaluation Conditions for program evaluations Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 10 Class 11, April 21, 2015 Drawing conclusions from the research process 1. Applicability, Problems and limitations Lab exercises-statistical analysis of data Transforming Data Descriptives, Cross tabulations, Chi Square, Phi & Cramer s V Graphical representation of data Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 11 Class 12, April 28, 2015 Inferring and reporting the findings Lab exercises-analysis of data T-tests, Correlations, Anova, Regression Leedy & Ormrod: Chapter 11

7 Class 13, April 29, 2014 Lecture & Discussion Critiquing of published research studies in the context of appropriateness of research questions/ hypotheses, sampling, research design, tools of data collection, methods of data collection, analytical tools used, relevance of conclusions drawn and contribution to the social work knowledge, practice and policy. Class 14, May 5, 2015 Student research proposal presentations Student Presentations of the project proposals with special focus on the following items-will occur throughout the semester: * Objectives of the project and function * Relationship of the projects to understanding research in social work practice * Types of project and its relevance to the appreciation of research * Relevance of the project in understanding the limitations in social work research Class 15, May 12, 2015 Student research proposal presentations Student Responsibilities Students are required to: Attend all classes. Failure to attend all classes will negatively impact the class participation and the group discussion grade. One absence is allowed for valid reasons pertaining to illness, family or other emergency and/or inclement weather. Take initiative with a reflective attitude and appreciation for potential for learning. Seek opportunities for learning in consultation with the instructor, community personnel, field instructors and fellow students. Develop creative responses to the class assignments. Have a plan for optimal learning through exemplary professional conduct and contributions in class, such as respect for class activities as manifested by the enthusiasm for learning and the assignments. Engage in rational problem-solving and courteous interaction with the instructor and other students, with a keen respect for the great power that lies within each human being. Students experiencing difficulties with class materials, assignments, exams, and/or other aspects of the course, must seek assistance from the instructor and such students are ensured that whatever assistance may be required from the instructor

8 will be provided with utmost respect for the student and his/her learning process. University Policies: The University rules regarding academic honesty will be enforced. These rules are outlined in the current university catalogue. Students who are unfamiliar with them should review them or consult the instructor. If you have a documented disability that affects your participation in this course and/or if you have a disabling condition which requires special consideration, educational services and specific arrangements for examinations and assignments for this class, please contact me and provide the necessary documentation from the Office of Disability to submit your request. Grading: The course grade will be determined from the grades secured by the student in each of the following six components: Mid-term Exam: 20% April 7 Data Analysis Exercises 10% Research Proposal Part I 20% Due on March 17 Research Proposal Part II 20% Due on May 18 Research Proposal Presentation 10% May 5 & 12 Group Discussions 10% Class Participation: 10% All required assignments must be completed. Grading Scheme: A A B B B C+ 70 and below: Fail