This course is designed to teach research knowledge and skills fundamental to evidence-based social work practice at the case, program, and policy levels. Major course topics include: ethics in social research, development of research questions, sampling, measurement, research design, and data collection and analysis. As well as quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods. Such knowledge is necessary for both understanding and utilizing research findings to inform practice as well as planning and carrying out research related to social ministry practice and social welfare issues. Students gain an appreciation of the requirements and expectations of modern research along with the ability to choose, design and develop their own self-directed study in the final academic term.
After successful completion of this course, student will be able to: 1) Understand the conceptual foundations and methodological tools of quantitative and qualitative social research and their applications to social work/welfare; 2) Locate, comprehend, critically analyze and evaluate research articles in social work and related disciplines and apply the findings to practice; 3) Develop beginning research skills necessary to plan and carry out all phases of quantitative and quantitative research methods to build knowledge related to the practice of social work at the case, program, and policy levels; 4) Identify and describe the ethical, political, and values issues related to social research in general and social work research in particular; 5) Demonstrate an understanding of diversity and social justice issues in research; 6) Demonstrate proficient use of library and other resources to locate relevant literature; 7) Assess the cultural sensitivity of research instruments and data collection tools; 8) Understand and articulate the key characteristics of a mixed methods research study.
planning and contracting
In the “Great Flood” God provided Noah with specific instructions to follow. Social Research is very similar in taking information in the same way such knowledge is necessary for both understanding and utilizing research findings to inform practice as well as planning and carrying out research related to social work practice and social welfare issues.
Students will understand qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating outcomes and practice effectiveness. As well as other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes
Developing Evidence Based Practices by collecting and assessing data
defining problems
using appropriate practice research knowledge
goal-setting
