social work research syllabus

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Introduction to social work research methods.

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BSW Research

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Jenzabar University

Course Syllabus (Online)

SOW 470: Research Methods in Social Work II

Nina E. Lewis, MSW, MHSA, LISW-S

Tel:     513.487,1224

Email: [email protected]

Course Description

The course, the second of a two-course sequence, develops skills in analyzing research designs and evaluating social work program outcomes, including measures of practice effectiveness.  Emphasis is placed on the development of analytical writing skills and critique of published empirical studies.  Prerequisite: SOW 370 .

Learning Outcomes & Competencies

University Competencies

I (1). Construct coherent, organized expression appropriate to a variety of disciplines and audiences.

II (2). Interpret quantitative and qualitative information.

II (3). Support a position with appropriate evidence.

II (4). Integrate one’s own ideas with those of others to address an issue.

II (5). Apply a creative process to explore an issue using imagination, intuition, and analytical methods.

III (2).Describe ethical responsibility in the context of professional or scholarly practice.

Major Competencies

• Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgment.
• Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
• Apply theoretical frameworks to evaluate human behavior and the social environment across the life span.

Course Competencies

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

• Identify and describe the components of a published research article.
• Critique qualitative and quantitative scholarly journal articles relevant to generalist social practice.
• Identify the core components of a research proposal
• Develop a research proposal according to professional guidelines.
• Utilize written and oral communication to articulate issues in interpreting research.
• Demonstrate comprehension of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including problem formulation, program and practice evaluation, data-collection methods with data sources, statistical concepts and sampling procedures.

Required Readings Resources:

Rubin, Allen & Babbie, Earl R. (2011).  Research Methods for Social Work, 7 th  Edition . Publisher: Thomson Brooks/Cole. ISBN-13: 978-0-495-81171-8

Additional Resources

Refer to Coursework Assignments and the Collaboration Forum

Participation/Attendance/Interaction

Weekly engagement in the course activities is required. Student must prepare in advance for class meetings and demonstrate initiative in leading the scheduled interactions, including presentations. The schedule of class conference meetings will be announced to your UI&U email address in advance. Individual conferences are available by appointment.

All written documentation will further develop the student's understanding of content material presented in course. The student will use APA style referencing when necessary. Submitted assignments will be graded based upon the organization and quality of ideas, presentation (grammar, punctuation, spelling, and APA formatting), and use of evidence and course content to support ideas. The content of written assignments and oral presentations must utilize key concepts and course terminology. The learner is expected to show evidence of learning from any corrections and suggestions offered by the instructor either through written responses or correspondence via email.

Course Requirements 

Your selected research topic that will be interesting to you and will build on your literature search completed in SOW 370 (Research Methods I). Using the Collaboration Forum, students will post information about their selected topic to the Collaboration Forum. The post will identify a relevant research question that will inform the organization of their final research paper. For background on developing research questions, re-read "Attributes of Good Research Questions" in Babbie & Rubin (7th edition), pp. 139-140.

Chapter Quizzes: 10, 11, 13, & 18 = 20 points (maximum) 

Research Question & Topic (paragraph) = 5 points (maximum)

Research Essay Questions = 10 points (maximum) 

Research Proposal Project (7-10 pages) = 30 points (maximum) 

Quiz II (online exam) = 20 points (maximum)

Class Meetings & Participation in Collaboration Forum = 15 points (maximum)

WEEKLY SUMMARY OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

Students may also view and print the instructions for each assignment from the Coursework Assignment unit located on the left-hand directory of the course main page). Students must upload all written assignments to the  coursework assignment  unit in CampusWeb unless specifically requested to post to the Collaboration Forum or both.  

ASSIGNMENT: Proceed to the Collaboration Forum and complete the Week 1 and introductory/engagement exercises in the Collaboration Forum – Week 1 category.  

Participation Guidelines for Collaboration Forum and Class Conferences

Class participation requires attendance to a minimum of two (of four) scheduled class conferences and submission of five 100-word discussion posts (Refer to the rubric, Guidelines for Online Discussion - acceptable ratings).  Class videoconference meetings will be held during Week 3 and Week 5. All other individual and group meetings will be arranged based on students’ interests.  Meeting information will be posted in the Virtual Office with reminders sent to the students' UI&U email accounts only. For class participation, students earn a maximum of 15 points toward participation in class conferences and the Collaboration Forum. 

ASSIGNMENT: Begin chapter readings in Babbie & Rubin, 7 th  Edition (2011), Chapters 10, 11, 13 & 18 (entire chapters). Recommend: Use the glossary to define meanings of new research vocabulary words.

ASSIGNMENT: Begin chapter and concept review to complete the Research Concepts Essay Questions  (3 - 5 pages) = 10 points (maximum) - due at the end of Week 3 (refer to the Coursework Assignment unit for the actual due date).

Review and research the following course terms and concepts: empirical, theory, hypothesis, deductive versus inductive reasoning, independent variable, dependent variable, control group, experimental group.

LIST OF ESSAY QUESTIONS : Write a narrative response to define each of the following research concepts. You may paraphrase the course textbook materials from any chapter to support your written narrative. Do not use outside internet sources, Wikipedia, or any similar online dictionary or web sites. For textbook responses, including quoted words, sentences, and phrases, be sure to record the specific page # for your response. You may use content from the textbook to illustrate your ideas; however, the paragraphs from the textbook may not be used as the entire response to the essay questions. For example, you must insert the textbook citation as follows: (Babbie & Rubin, 2011, p. 5). Recommend: Schedule a consultation with UI&U Writing Center to review your paper before you upload to the Coursework unit.

1. Identify the features of the scientific method. 2. What is meant by the term “internal validity”? Describe an example of a threat to internal validity. 3. Define the term “logic model.” Identify the components for constructing an outcomes approach logic model to address a social problem. (Refer to Chapter 13).  4. Draft an outline for the sections of a social work research and name the type content/information for each section. (Refer to Chapter 23). 5. List three attributes of a good research question. Using your selected topic, provide an example of a research question?

ASSIGNMENT: Using the instructions below, submit your research topic on  selected research topic and research question = 5 points (maximum) due at the end of Week 2. 

INSTRUCTIONS: By the end of Week 2, students will draft, write, and  upload  a paragraph (3-5 sentences in a Word document) to describe your selected research topic and research question. Tip: Key items to include in the paragraph may address the following: "What exactly do you want to study? Why is it worth studying?" (Babbie & Rubin, 2011, p. 578).  Then, 'cut and paste' your paragraph to the Week 2 Collaboration Forum post. Read other students posts and provide constructive feedback based on your readings of the "Attributes of Good Research Questions" in Babbie & Rubin, pp. 139-140.

Future Planning: The final course paper is the  Research Proposal Project , which will build on each student's research question and topic of interest. Students are strongly encouraged to initiate early planning and gathering secondary data and peer-reviewed research articles from the literature along with needs assessment data from existing reports available in their state or local communities.

ASSIGNMENT: Continue chapter readings from Week 1. Prepare to submit the Chapter Tutorial Quizzes (individual quizzes on the publisher's web site). The quizzes cover Babbie & Rubin's (2011) readings in chapters 10, 11, 13, & 18  = 20 points (maximum) due by the end of Week 3 (refer to the Coursework Assignment unit for instructions and due date).

ASSIGNMENT: Continue chapter readings from Week 1. Begin to complete Chapter Tutorial Quizzes (individual quizzes on the publisher's web site). The quizzes cover Babbie & Rubin's (2011) readings in chapters 10, 11, 13, & 18  = 20 points (maximum) due by the end of Week 3 (refer to the Coursework Assignment unit for instructions and due date).

ASSIGNMENT: Review the instructions for the Research Proposal Project. The Research Proposal Project (refer to handout available at https://uiu.box.com/s/oqdyxj08dqzdt3oaqkt4 ) 

In Week 4 you will begin to outline and draft responses to the sections of the proposal. You will complete the proposal paper by writing one to two sections of the proposal each week. 

To review the format that you use to write the research paper, referred to as the Research Proposal Project, you may view the sample grant application published by the Oshkosh United Way and retrieved from  https://uiu.box.com/s/oqdyxj08dqzdt3oaqkt4 . Refer to assignment description and instructions posted below and published in the course Collaboration Forum topic for Week 4 through Week 7. Keep in mind, each of the weekly discussion topics will focus on a section of your proposal.

ASSIGNMENT: Proceed to the Week 4 Collaboration Forum Topic.

Important: The Collaboration Forum discussion topics for Week 4 through Week 7  will follow the outline of the research proposal. This will allow students to write each of the main sections of the proposal over a period of several weeks rather than waiting until the end of the course to prepare the entire proposal paper For example, during Week 4 through Week 7, we will host a discussion post for one of the components of that you are drafting to complete your research project proposal. 

To review the content that you write for the Research Proposal Project, you may view the sample grant application published by the Oshkosh United Way and retrieved from  https://uiu.box.com/s/hrhw9249z8vl7jo2tnrd . 

This is the write-in format that students will actually complete to fulfill the requirements for the Research Proposal Project assignment. 

So, after reviewing the proposal format, re-read the selection of impact areas identified under the section,  Program Narrative , and then write a post to describe your selection. Be sure to use course concepts and terms, including a sentence about the specific causes and effects that you believe will be important to address in your problem statement. Read other students' posts and submit a reply to one of your colleagues. 

ASSIGNMENT: Re-read the instructions for the Research Proposal Project. The Research Proposal Project (refer to handout available at https://uiu.box.com/s/oqdyxj08dqzdt3oaqkt4 ) 

Continue to drafting your responses (one section at a time) for the research proposal. To become familiar with the format that you use to write the research paper, referred to as the Research Proposal Project, you may view the sample grant application published by the Oshkosh United Way and retrieved from https://uiu.box.com/s/oqdyxj08dqzdt3oaqkt4 . Refer to assignment description posted below and available in the course Collaboration Forum topic for Week 4 through Week 7. 

ASSIGNMENT: Proceed to the Week 5 Collaboration Topic.  After reviewing the handout and related readings, write at least a 100-word post to briefly describe your response to one of the three questions listed under the section, Program Narrative, in the sample grant proposal. Be sure to use the course concepts and terms, including any specific lesson learned in reading Babbie & Rubin's "Chapter 24: Writing Research Proposals and Reports." Read other students' posts and submit a reply to one of your colleagues. In addition to this discussion thread, we will address your progress during the Week 6 class teleconference.

WEEK 6 & WEEK 7

ASSIGNMENT: Proceed to the Week 6 and Week 7 Collaboration Forum discussion topics.

The Logic Model may be separately uploaded as an attachment to the proposal.

ASSIGNMENT:  Complete drafting all of the sections of the proposal document. The proposal writing requires use of the  APA style format, double-spaced, 12 point font, length (7-10 pages), including a separate title page and a separate page for the Logic Model.

The Research Proposal Project will be due at the end of Week 7. Students are required to upload the written proposal to the Coursework Assignment unit.

Refer to the instructions for completing the project. Upload the Research Proposal Project to the Coursework unit. The proposal writing requires use of the  APA style format, double-spaced, 12 point font, length (7-10 pages), including a separate title page and a separate page for the Logic Model.

The final research project (paper) is due at the end of Week 7. The outline and content for the research paper will be discussed during the class videoconferences).

ASSIGNMENT: Complete the Quiz II (online exam  = 20 points (maximum). Refer to the instructions posted in the Coursework Assignment unit for the exam due date. Important: Late exams will not be accepted for full credit toward the final grade.

ASSIGNMENT: Proceed to the Week 8 Collaboration Forum discussion topic

Grading Policy :

Incomplete Grades -  An “I” grade or “incomplete” is only given when special circumstances warrant it and only for students who have been attending classes regularly and submitting assignments. A minimum of 50% of the coursework must be completed prior to request of an Incomplete. Documentation if relevant regarding extenuating circumstances will be required before an “I” is granted. The request for an incomplete grade MUST be submitted in writing and include the reason for the request and a plan for completion that includes specific dates when missing assignments will be submitted. If the student and instructor agree to this plan, it becomes contract. If the student fails to comply with deadlines, the instructor will enter a failing grade for the course. All Incomplete grades must be resolved by 60 days after the term has ended.

Final Deadline for Assignments -  All work must be submitted according to established due dates incorporated within the course syllabus. Late assignments are not recommended. Learners may be approved for a time extension with prior approval from the instructor. Submission of late assignments will be subject to permission of the instructor and may result in a lowered grade. Assignments submitted late with or without prior approval will receive a five (5) point grade reduction.

Academic Policies:

Policy on Academic Integrity

Academic honesty is considered essential in all aspects of this course.  Cheating and plagiarism are violations of Student Code of Conduct  which is found in University Policies and Procedures section of the online catalogue at the following link.  http://www.myunion.edu/about/university-policies/academic-integrity.html       

Services for Students with Disabilities

UI&U is committed to non-discrimination on the basis of disability.  Students may request accommodations by filling out the disclosure of disabilities form on our ADA website http://www.myunion.edu/Academics/AcademicServices/ADAPolicy/ADAProcedures.aspx .

Additional information can be found at  http://www.myunion.edu/Academics/AcademicServices/ADAPolicy.aspx

No accommodations can be made without approval from the ADA office so it is important that you file this confidential information with the ADA office in the event that you have a reoccurring condition that may require accommodations. 

Notification of Withdrawal

• If you are considering withdrawing from this course, please contact your advisor.
• It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of the Dean in writing of withdrawal (postmark, date, e-mail or FAX transmission receipt) from the program.
• For more information regarding withdrawal dates and refunds, refer to the Union Institute and University “Notification of Withdrawal” according to the schedule published in the current Registration and Tuition Policies statement 

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