Mary Baldwin College Social Work SOWK 317L WA Social Work Research Fall 2015

Transcription

1 Mary Baldwin College Social Work SOWK 317L WA Social Work Research Fall 2015 Instructor: Carla Renner, LCSW Course Description: Online format, 3 credits. Prerequisite: INT 222. This course is designed to increase knowledge of research as a tool for social work practice. Students will acquire basic skills and knowledge to utilize existing social research for practice related decision-making as well as the capacity to carry out systematic methods of inquiry in their practice setting. Course Objectives: Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between research, theory and social work practice. Comprehend and articulate utilization and limitations of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Exhibit ability to retrieve, consider and critically evaluate published research including understanding the implications for social work practice. Understand the value base of the social work profession and its ethical standards and principles. Develop sensitivity to value issues in research, especially as they apply to vulnerable and oppressed populations. Identify and formulate research questions related to the development of knowledge for generalist practice. Demonstrate knowledge of research designs with particular interest given to internal and external validity issues as well as evaluation of practice, policy and programs. Demonstrate knowledge and apply measurement instruments and sampling procedures. Apply data collection methods and procedures as used in social work research. Identify interaction among issues of: social justice, policy, populations at-risk, and practice throughout the research and evaluation processes. Develop skills in written communication of research methods. Required Text: Yegidis, Bonnie L., Weinbach, Robert W., & Myers, Laura L. (2012). Research Methods for Social Workers (7 th ed). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. (ISBN: ) National Association of Social Workers (2002). Code of ethics. Washington, DC: NASW.

2 Course Requirements: 1. Participation with discussion board posts throughout the semester. 2. A literature analysis in response to approved social work journal articles and directed toward the student s individual interest. 3. Chapter quizzes assessing comprehension and application of concepts and techniques gathered through assigned course reading and course materials. 4. Article application quizzes assessing understanding and applying research fundamentals and core concepts through selected published research. 5. A research proposal demonstrating knowledge, understanding and application of the research process. ** All students are expected to adhere to the Mary Baldwin Honor System based on the three principles of: integrity of one s word, respect for the property of others and honesty in academic work. Words, ideas and quotes from other sources including material available on the Internet must be clearly and correctly identified as to author and source. Extended Time Policy: ET requests are not recommended; however, may be granted under certain circumstances. ET requests MUST be discussed via phone and approved by the instructor. In order to qualify for an ET, students must have completed at least 7 chapter quizzes and the written literature analysis. Course Evaluation: Requirement % of Final Grade Points 1. Discussion Board participation 5% Literature Analysis 15% Chapter Quizzes 35% 70 (5 points per quiz) 4. Article Application Quizzes 15% 30 (15 points each) 5. Research Proposal 20% Final Exam/Comprehensive Exam 10% 20 Grading Scale: pts = A pts = B pts = C pts = D 118 pts and below = F Total = 200 pts

3 COURSE OUTLINE* Session(s) Date/Week of Topic(s) Due 1 8/31 Course Overview Toward Evidence-Based Practice Obtain textbook Read syllabus Chp 1 Quiz 2 9/7 Ethical Issues in Research NASW Code of Ethics Chp 2 Quiz 3 9/14 Research Problems and Questions Chp 3 Quiz 4 9/21 Finding and Using Existing Knowledge Chp 4 Quiz Literature Analysis may be submitted 5 9/28 Focused Research Questions and Research Hypotheses Chp 5 Quiz Literature Analysis Due 6 10/5 Group Research Designs Chp 6 Quiz 7 10/12 Single-System Evaluation Designs Chp 7 Quiz 8 10/19 Qualitative Research Methods Chp 8 Quiz Article Application 1 Due 9 10/26 Sampling Issues and Options Chp 9 Quiz 10 11/2 Measurement Concepts and Issues Methods for Acquiring Research Data Chp 10 Quiz Chp 11 Quiz 11 11/9 Data Collection Instruments Chp 12 Quiz 12 11/16 Analyzing Data Chp 13 Quiz Article Application 2 Due 13 11/23 Disseminating Research Findings Chp 14 Quiz 14 11/30 Course Review Final/Comp Exam Due Proposals may be submitted 15 12/7 Course Review Proposals Due (must be submitted by 12/11) * Please note: the instructor reserves the right to adjust the class syllabus to meet the needs of the students.

4 Literature Analysis: (15% of final grade) Due: may be submitted after 9/21 due no later than 10/4 Using library resources and approved social work journals, locate and read 5 articles on a selected topic. Your selected topic must be one that is related to social work practice, is of interest to you, and current information and original sources are easily available. I suggest you select a topic that you would like to know more about, and one that will introduce and conceptualize variables that will be used in your proposal. Articles must be published in professional journals including but not limited to: Social Work, Clinical Social Work, Health & Social Work, Journal of Family Social Work, Social Service Review, Journal of Gerontological Social Work, and Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work. You may choose to utilize additional articles or legitimate resources to supplement your analysis. Write a 3-5 page literature analysis that is selective; it must describe enough information for familiarity with the topic but not overwhelming. For example, child abuse is an appropriate area of research but has extensive information. Think about what you really want to know about child abuse (physical or sexual, predictors, protective factors, treatment modalities, etc) and filter your topic accordingly. Compose an overview and analysis of your topic, using articles to raise significant questions. Your analysis will include the following: What is the identified topic? How does this topic apply to social work practice? Why is the topic of interest to you/social workers? What are the most central and current issues related to your topic? How has your topic been previously researched? What are the research findings? How do they guide social work practice? Are research findings consistent? Where are the loopholes in research? What needs to be studied further? What significant questions are you raising? Your analysis must utilize APA format to include: title page, 12pt Times New Roman font page headers. 1 margins appropriately cited direct and indirect references You will need to attach at least one journal article upon submission of your analysis. At the end of your analysis please include the following note: ** I have adhered to MBC honor code and code of conduct and have cited all forms of information ** Papers are worth 30 pts and will be graded according to: submission of article (10%), composition and format (10%), identification of topic (20%), integration of information and summary of research (30%), organization of ideas and use of research (20%), and critical thinking (10%).

5 Discussion Board Participation: (5% of final grade) Due: throughout the course Students are required to maintain participation in the course by contributing to discussion board posts throughout the semester. Posts should consist of APA format. Chapter Quizzes (35% of final grade) Due: throughout the course Each chapter quiz consists of ten questions for a total of five points. Questions assess identification and comprehension of concepts. Quizzes may also include application questions. Quizzes are posted at the beginning of the day on Monday and due by the end of the day Sunday (for example, Chp 1 quiz will be 7am on 8/31 and is due by 11:59p on 9/6). Course text may be utilized for quizzes. All quizzes will be posted and available for a designated time and must be completed by the due date unless approved by the instructor prior to the due date. Article Application Quizzes (15% of final grade) Quiz #1 Due: 10/25 Quiz #2 Due: 11/22 Two published social work research articles will be selected by the instructor. Students will carefully read each article and answer questions, identifying and applying research concepts. Final Exam/Comprehensive Exam (10%) Due: 12/6 According to MBC policy, all senior students are required to take the social work comprehensive exam. This exam will account for 10% of your research course grade. For example, if you earn 100% on your comprehensive exam, you will earn 20/20 points toward your course grade (90% on comprehensive exam = 18/20 points, 80% = 16/20). Students whom are not required to take this exam (such as junior status or non social work majors) will complete the research final exam. This exam will consist of multiple choice questions that cover the entire course material. The exam will be available on 11/30. Research Proposal: (20% of final grade, 6-8 pgs) Due: may be submitted after 11/30, due no later than 12/11 I. Problem Statement (1-2 pages) Using library resources, select a researchable social work topic. Utilize 8-10 professional social work journal articles and other relevant information to introduce your research topic. Attach at least one article with your proposal. Familiarize the reader with your topic, summarizing key issues and past research findings. II. Justification (1/2 page)

6 Describe your topic s relationship and significance to social work practice. III. Research question and related hypothesis (1/2 3/4 page) Based upon your problem statement (Part I), identify one researchable question that you would like to answer. Identify your study as qualitative or quantitative and the nature of your research. Clearly indicate your research hypothesis (your tentative answer to your question). IV. Variables (1/2 1 page) Describe the concepts and variables pertinent to your hypothesis. Identify and describe the independent and dependent variables. Provide conceptual and operational definitions of each variable. V. Measurement (1 page) Locate or develop the measurement instrument you will use to collect data about these variables. Discuss why you chose such instrument and how the validity and reliability are ensured. Describe the instrument in detail and attach a copy as Appendix A. Identify the level of measurement (i.e., nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) that will occur. VI. Target population and Sampling Approach (1/2 3/4 page) Discuss your sampling frame, probability or non-probability approach, and sampling method. Identify your population (if applicable) and your target population (i.e., the group to whom the study s results are expected to apply). Explain in detail how you will draw your sample from your population. Provide enough information to allow the reader to implement the approach. Discuss and justify your sample size. VII. Design (1/2 page) Describe the research design you will use. Consider using a diagram to illustrate your description. Is it a case-level or group-level design? What general type (exploratory, descriptive, explanatory) and specific type (i.e., longitudinal, pre-post test, cross-sectional, etc.) of design is your study? Is it an ideal experiment as discussed in your text? What ethical issues need to be considered? VIII. Data collection (1/2 page) Describe how you will collect data. Will you use existing data? Will it be cross-sectional or longitudinal? Will it be collected protecting confidentiality and/or anonymity? Justify your data collection strategy. Explain in detail at least one threat to internal validity. IX. Summary and critique of your proposal (3/4-1 page) Identify at least three strengths and limitations of your study. Will your results be generalizable? Identify any measurement or constant error. Address any ethical or social justice issues. * Your research proposal should adhere to APA format and include a title page and abstract. ** Proposals are worth 50 pts and will be evaluated according to: application and discussion of research concepts (40%), identification and justification of topic (20%), research question/hypothesis (10%), organization and composition (10%), format (10%) and critical thinking (10%).