Research Syllabus
| University of | Research Syllabus |
Department of | ||
| Northern Iowa | Social Work | |||
|
450:185 | Jim Hanson | Tel: 273-2017 | |
Introduction Course Objectives Course Requirements Test Make-Up Policy Students With Disabilities Evaluation Grading Grievances and Appeals Course Direction Format for Research Proposal
As a professional practitioner, a social worker has an ethical responsibility to select the most efficient and effective methods of practice available. The generalist perspective in social work suggests that this goal is best facilitated by social workers who are able to use multidimensional knowledge, theories and understanding to intervene in diverse situations. Knowledge of and skills in research greatly enhance this ability.
This course will help students to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills required to be informed about developments in practice methodology and to evaluate practice research initiated by others as a consumer of research.
2. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to effectively monitor and ethically evaluate the effects of one's own practice as a researcher - practitioner.
3. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to evaluate service programs.
4. Demonstrate understanding and appreciation of a scientific approach toward knowledge building and practice.
5. Demonstrate awareness of quantitative and qualitative research designs and their use in evaluation of practice programs.
6. Demonstrate the ability to write a research proposal.
7. Demonstrate the ability to conduct a single-system design research project in a practice caseload.
You are expected to attend class, participate in discussions, attend and contribute as an equal partner in their group, and complete any exercises and assignments. Assignments will be given in class or via the class web site http://www.uni.edu/~hansonj/home/Research/reshome.htm.
There will be objective tests during the semester and an objective comprehensive final examination.
You will be expected to orally present a summary of their findings from your use of library and Internet resources to the class. This semester the hardware for a multimedia presentation is available in the classroom.
A summary and analysis of the research literature will be due approximately April 6th. Summaries will be the joint effort of groups of students. Format for the summary and grading criteria are attached.
You are expected to turn in an annotated bibliography of 10 articles from professional sources related to their research topic. At least one-half (5) of the articles should demonstrate an empirical methodology.
You are expected to become familiar with a variety of library and other resources including encyclopedias, dictionaries, yearbooks, handbooks, indexes, abstracts, directories, databases and government publications and the Web.
Each group will need to choose at least ten WWW sites that are related to their topic and of use to professionals in the field. These sites should be incorporated into your presentation. (tentative)
You are expected to take the tests on the date and time scheduled. If you are unable to take the test as scheduled you must notify me before the test begins. You must notify me must make-up the missed exam within two school days. If you miss a test and choose not to notify me in advance or who choose not to make up the exam in the allotted time you will receive 10% penalty on the test. You may not take tests early except for medical reasons.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students with a disability who require assistance should let me know near the beginning of the semester what class and academic accommodations they need. You should also contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) for coordination of academic accommodations and additional assistance. The ODS is located at 213 Student Services Center and their phone number is 319-273-2676.
Rubin, A., Babbie, E. (1993). Research Methods for Social Work. Pacific Grove, CA.: Brooks/Cole.
Readings as assigned.
Tests |
45% (3-7) | |
| Attendance/Assignments | 15% | |
| Presentation/Group Attendance & Research Paper | 25% | |
| Final Exam | 15% | |
| Total | 100% |
| Total | Total | Total | |||
| Per Cent | Grade | Per Cent | Grade | Per Cent | Grade |
| 100 - 92 | A | 80 - 81.9 | B- | 68 - 69.9 | D+ |
| 90 - 91.9 | A- | 78 - 79.9 | C+ | 62 - 68.0 | D |
| 88 - 89.9 | B+ | 72 - 77.9 | C | 60 - 61.9 | D- |
| 82 - 87.9 | B | 70 - 71.9 | C- | 59.9 or less | F |
Students with grievances or appeals are referred to Policies Regulations Affecting Students 1994-1996 - The University of Northern Iowawhich is distributed to all students. A copy is also available in the Social Work office, Sabin 30.
COURSE DIRECTION AND ASSIGNMENTS
The following is a tentative outline of the course. You can reasonably expect that changes in the sequence will occur during the semester.
1. Introduction to Knowledge, Inquiry, Understanding and Social Work
Chapter 1 - Human Inquiry and Science
Chapter 2 - Theory and Research
Chapter 5 - Conceptualization & Operationalization
Chapter 4 - Problem Formulation
Chapter 3 - The Ethics and Politics of Social Work Research
2. Ways of Understanding
Chapter 9 - Causal Inference and Group Designs
Chapter 8 - The Logic of Sampling.
Chapter 12 - Qualitative Research Methods
3. Ways of Observing
Chapter 6 - Measurement
Chapter 7 - Constructing Measurement Instruments
Chapter 11 - Survey Research
Chapter 13 - Unobtrusive Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
4. Ways of Evaluating Practice
Chapter 18 - Program Evaluation
Chapter 10 - Single Subject Designs.
5. Analyzing
Chapters 14-17
6. Conclusions
Research Proposal
Presentations
Final Exam (May 4th - Tuesday– 8:00 to 9:50 AM
Each proposal shall include the following separate pages: Title; table of contents; references and appendices. Each proposal will include all of the major (e.g. Introduction) and secondary (e.g. Sample) headings. The proposal is to be typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.
I. Introduction (15%)
A. Introduction to the study
B. Purpose of the study
C. Research question(s) and/or hypothesis(es)
D. Definition of terms
II. Review of Related Literature (35%)
A. Qualitative summary
B. Quantitative summary
(If possible arrange within A & B around psychological, sociological and physiological variables)
C. Summary statement of literature review
III. Description of Program/Intervention (20%)
A. Describe the type of intervention planned for the clients
B. Use of references to validate the utility of the intervention
IV. Methods and Procedures (15%)
A. Selection of the sample
B. Procedures used for collecting the data
C. Type of study design
D. Measurement or instrumentation
E. Method of data analysis for each measure used
V. Discussion of Anticipated Results (10%)
A. Discussion of anticipated results
B. Significance for social work practice
C. Recommendations for further research
VI. References
VII. Appendices (e.g. questionnaires, instruments)
Additional requirements pertaining to the research proposal include:
1. Division of work (5%)
On a separate sheet(s) of paper, each student is to identify the work that they completed for the proposal; the percentage of the total time expended that both they and each of the other students spent on the proposal. Quantity and quality may differentiate final grading for individuals. It is expected that each group member will contribute equally.
In addition, each group is expected to track attendance at group meetings and to record summary attendance for each member on the division of work sheet provided.
2. The final proposal is due at the beginning of class on April 6th. Five percent will be deducted if the proposal is not submitted at this time.
3. Students are to use the Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association for the style of their paper and references.
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Revised: January 12, 1999.