SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK / OFFICE: / RC 203
Semester: / Spring 2013 / OFFICE HOURS: / Tuesday 3-5; Weds 3-5
Course: / SWK 412 / OFFICE PHONE: / 309-438-8075
Section: / 001 / EMAIL: /
Day: / Wed / Location: / FH 319 *(class will re-locate to a computer lab beginning Week 4- location TBD)
Time: / 5:30-8:20pm
SWK 412
FOUNDATION RESEARCH
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Research methods essential to effective and accountable practice. Theoretical and practical issues affecting ethical, evidence-based decisions. 3 semester hours.
Prerequisite: graduate standing.
**COURSE FORMAT
SWK 412 (spring, 2015) will be delivered as a “hybrid” class, consisting of in-person lecture and online distance learning. To orient students to the class, we will meet in-person the first two weeks. Beginning week 3, the class will alternate between on line distance learning/ applied assignments and in-class lecture and discussion.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
SWK 412 is the foundation research methods course. It emphasizes the generation and appraisal of knowledge used in social work. The aim is for students to obtain knowledge and skills in research methods including data analysis that are essential to effective and accountable social work practice.
This course provides students with a working understanding of theoretical and practical issues inherent in the research process, particularly in relation to professional practice. The course focuses on giving students a strong foundation for knowledge building in the social sciences arena.
This course presents concepts, techniques, and procedures basic to evidence-based decision making. It provides a balance of lecture material and interactive learning activities including discussion and experiential exercises, papers, and computer assignments.
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER COURSES
SWK 412 is the graduate version of SWK 315, the undergraduate introduction to social work research at ISU. MSW students are expected to become more adept at “thinking,” “speaking,” and “doing” research than their BSW colleagues. While the objectives of SWK 315 and SWK 412 are similar, students in SWK 412 are expected to achieve a higher level of research knowledge and skill. SWK 412 course content is prerequisite to SWK 445 Practice Evaluation I and SWK 448 Practice Evaluation II. The knowledge and skills gained in SWK 412 are further developed in SWK 445 and SWK 448 through application and critique. In SWK 445 students apply their research knowledge by developing an evaluation plan or research proposal that will be implemented in SWK 448.
SWK 412 relates to all MSW courses because research itself is a value-based activity and social work is a value-based profession. SWK 412 relates specifically to the social work practice courses since the research process is a key component of a social worker’s practice framework.
COURSE GOALS
The goals for the course are to:
1. Develop knowledge and skills in quantitative and qualitative research.
2. Present the major considerations for the ethical conduct and use of research.
3. Introduce considerations for culturally responsive research.
4. Develop skill in critically reviewing research reports and publications.
5. Increase understanding of the necessity to use research findings and skills to evaluate and advance practice.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, students will have achieved the following outcomes. Students will be able to:
1. Identify the elements of the scientific method and describe its capacity to develop evidence-based knowledge for practice.
2. Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative approaches to the research process.
3. Describe how the literature review is used in the formulation of the research purpose and the identification of the research questions or hypotheses.
4. Articulate the various approaches to the measurement and operationalization of variables.
5. Define the concepts of reliability and validity and describe the major types of each of these concepts.
6. Describe the major research designs used in social work.
7. Distinguish between probability and non-probability sampling procedures.
8. Articulate the various methods and procedures used to collect data.
9. Identify the major approaches to data analysis.
10. Assess research findings for their capacity to develop evidence-based knowledge for practice.
11. Discuss the implications of research studies for practice and further research.
12. Identify considerations for culturally sensitive practices at each stage of the research process.
13. Identify ethical considerations at each stage of the research process.
REQUIRED READING(S) AND TEXTBOOK(S)
Engel, R. & Schutt, R. (2012). Fundamentals of social work research. Los Angeles:
SAGE. (3rd edition). ISBN 9781412954167
CLASS HANDOUTS
All supplementary handouts, readings, and distance learning assignments will be posted on Reggienet. These handouts are in addition to the assigned chapters.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
Attendance and Participation: Students are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions. A student should not be enrolled in a course if other obligations will interfere with getting to class regularly and punctually.
Class Preparation: You are expected to have prepared thoroughly for each class. Preparation includes reading the assigned readings prior to class, summarizing the content and being prepared to discuss it; listing questions or reactions to the material; and making connections between concepts in current reading and earlier readings. You are expected to contribute to class discussion. Informed disagreement is both anticipated and welcomed.
Assignments: Promptness in completing class assignments and required readings is a requirement. However, circumstances may arise which make it impossible to complete class requirements on time. When such circumstances occur, appropriate arrangements must be made in advance whenever possible.
Written Work: Your written work should show thoroughness, accuracy, clarity and professionalism. Such writing generally requires first writing, then review, then editing and rewriting.
─ All work should be carefully proofread and corrected. Papers should be free of errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
─ All papers written from sources must include citations following the style requirements of the most recent Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. This reference text also provides excellent information on the organization and writing of papers.
─ All work must be typed, double-spaced, with numbered pages unless the professor instructs otherwise. Each assignment should be titled, dated, annotated with your name, and stapled or placed in a binder.
─ Papers should use standard margins. The Microsoft Word default setting for margins is 1” top, 1” bottom, and 1” each left and right. The header and footer default setting is 0.5” from the edge.
─ Papers should use standard fonts. The School standard font is Times New Roman 12 point.
Missed or Late Work: Missed in‐class work generally cannot be made up. Make‐up examinations, as a rule, will not be permitted. Only in extraordinary circumstances will such work be accepted.
Additional Instructor Expectations:
Students learn from each other just as they learn from the instructor. Unexcused absences will result in a minimum 5‐point deduction in the final grade and significant tardiness (>10 minutes) will result in a minimum 2‐point deduction in the final grade.
Nondiscriminatory Language: Oral presentations and written work should use non-sexist, non-racist, and non-stigmatizing language. Faculty may return papers for revisions in language prior to grading. Be sensitive to your use of language.
Special Needs: Students with special needs should notify the instructor immediately so that available accommodations can be made. Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TTY) or http://www.disabilityconcerns.ilstu.edu/.
Academic Misconduct: Plagiarism, cheating, and all other forms of academic misconduct are not only considered a violation of university regulations, but are also a serious breach of the ethical code of conduct for the social work profession. Students are expected to abide by the ethical standards of the profession. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics is available on the Internet: http://www.naswdc.org/.
Assignment #1:DUE week 7
Feb 25 / Take home exam 1: (15 points)
Assignment #2:
DUE week 9
March 10
(Online submission) / Literature Review (20 points)
Each student should select seven scholarly (peer-reviewed) journal articles that correspond to a social work topic provided by the instructor. *Students are expected to utilize Milner library resources to locate and access the assigned reading materials.
Once the seven research articles have been selected, students should read and synthesize each of the articles and complete a Literature Review Summary Table Worksheet (provided by the instructor) which allows the student to synthesize the findings. Additional instructions and guidelines will be provided by the instructor.
Assignment #3:
DUE week 11
March 25 / Take home exam 2: (15 points)
Assignment #4:
DUE Week 13
April 8 / Research Methods Critique (15 points)
This assignment is a continuation of Assignment #2: Literature Review Table. Students will use the same articles reviewed in assignment #2 to provide a written critique of the research methods used in each of their reviewed articles. Each article critique should include a description of research participants, data collection methods, data collection timelines, incentives offered to research participants, and a description of how the research constructs are measured by the authors. Potential issues of ethics and cultural responsiveness should also be addressed.
A grading rubric will be distributed in class.
Assignment #5:
DUE Week 16
April 29 / Research Methods Proposal (group project) (20 points)
Building on assignments 1-4 (including the readings), students should form groups of three to propose their own research problem, research questions, and research design in the form of a 10 page written paper. The research proposal should include a description of proposed research participants, proposed data collection methods, and ethical issues to be addressed.
The proposal should also describe how the research constructs are to be measured and analyzed. *Evidence of culturally responsive research methods that meet ethical standards should also be included in the proposal. A worksheet will be provided by the instructor. Students should be prepared to present their proposal to the class.
Assignment #6
(Ongoing weeks 1-16) / Attendance, Participation, Group Discussion (15%): Students are expected to attend and actively participate in all class sessions/activities whether face-to-face or online. A student should not be enrolled in a course if other obligations will interfere with getting to class sessions regularly and punctually.
More than two absences in a sixteen- week course will most likely result in a lowered grade for the course. Also- Repeated tardiness or leaving class early also CAN result in a lowered grade.
Participation will be evaluated through a combination of in-class instructor observations, in-class and on line applied assignments, and peer-to peer small group discussion contributions.
GRADING
Grades will be assigned in accord with the following scale. Students must achieve the
full value of the lower end of each subscale to be awarded the corresponding letter
grade.
A 90‐100%
B 80‐89%
C 70‐79%
D 60‐69%
F 59% and below
Grade Allocation:
Grades for the course will be assigned using the following formula:
- Exam 1 (15%)
- Literature Review Table (20%)
- Research Methods Critique (15%)
- Exam 2 (15%)
- Research Proposal (group project) (20%)
- Class attendance, discussion (15%)
Total 100%
Schedule of Class and Class Activities
SWK 412 Foundation ResearchSpring 2015 Calendar
Week 1 / Jan 14 / Course Overview
Week 2 / Jan 21 / The Process and Problems of Social Work Research
Reading (due for week 2 class)
Text chapter 2
In-class Application:
-Sample Research Proposal Overview:
-Youth In Foster Care Project
Week 3
(distance application) / Jan 28 / Reviewing the literature
Reading:
-Text: Appendix B (pp. 425-428)
-Dworsky and Perez, 2009
Application:
Complete the “Appendix B” questions based on the Dworsky and Perez Article and bring to class for discussion.
Week 4 / Feb 4 / Survey Research: Developing Explanatory Research Questions
Reading:
Text chapter 9
In-class Application:
-Small groups: Week 3 assignment discussion
-Review/critique sample surveys
-Developing an in-class survey
Week 5
(distance application) / Feb 11 / Qualitative Research: Developing Exploratory Research Questions
Reading:
Text Chapter 10
Application:
1) Search the library and locate three scholarly research articles on the topic of: “outcomes for youth in foster care”.
2) Post an e-copy of each article on reggienet
3) Summarize these articles using the format provided by the instructor
4) Bring your article summaries to class for discussion.
Week 6 / Feb 18 / -Weeks 1-6 Application of Concepts
-Exam Review
Reading/Assignment Due for class:
- Search the library and locate three additional scholarly research articles on the topic of: “outcomes for youth in foster care”.
- Post an e-copy of each article on reggienet
- Summarize these articles using the format provided by the instructor
- Bring your article summaries to class for discussion.
In-class Exam Review:
- Literature review
- Developing research questions
- Survey research methods
- Qualitative research methods
Week 7
(distance application) / Feb 25 / *TAKE HOME EXAM 1 DUE
-literature review process
-survey research methods
-qualitative research methods
Week 8 / March 4 / Evaluation Research
Reading:
Text chapter 13
Week 9 / March 10 (spring break March 7-16) / * LITERATURE REVIEW DUE
Week 10 / March 18 / Sampling/Identifying Research Participants
Reading:
Text chapter 5
Text chapter 3
Week 11
(distance application) / March 25 / *TAKE HOME EXAM 2 DUE
-evaluation research
-sampling
-research ethics
Week 12 / April 1 / Measurement
Reading:
Text chapter 4
Application (in class)
Research Methods Critique exercise
Week 13
(distance application) / April 8 / *RESEARCH METHODS CRITIQUE DUE
Reading
Text chapter 15 (reporting research)
Week 14 / April 15 / Archival Data Research (existing data)
Reading
AFCARS Report (DHHS, 2008)
Application (in class)
Data analysis methods and procedures
Week 15
(distance application) / April 22 / Final Project Preparation
Week 16
FINAL CLASS / April 29 / Assignment #3: Research Methods Proposal (20 points)
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER READINGS
American Psychological Association (1982). Ethical principles in the conduct of research with human participants. Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the America