SOWK 791: Social Work Research Methodologies

 Course Syllabus

I. Purpose/Rationale of the Course

Knowledge building is the responsibility of social workers in all areas of practice. Social workers need to know how to use existing knowledge and to assume leadership in expanding knowledge that identifies effective intervention methods in a variety of client populations and practice modalities. The purpose of this course is to develop students’ knowledge of general research, including data analysis methods.

2. Critical evaluation of other sources of information, including the internet

II. Course Content

This course examines a variety of scientific methods that provide the foundation for research in social work settings. Research processes will be examined in stages from problem formulation to data collection and analyses. The course will focus on how research problems are formulated, hypotheses or research questions are derived, the specific designs that practice researchers may use in addressing given research topics, and data collection and analysis approaches, and evaluating the research of others.

This course examines the ways in which the unique nature of social work practice (especially clients of cultural and social diversity) serves to affect social work research processes. Values and ethical issues are infused throughout the content of the course as they relate to research processes and methods, and gender bias and culturally sensitive research.

III. Course Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

1. Identify research problems, hypotheses, and research questions.

2. Select appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative research methods to study a

given research problem.

3. Discuss issues related to sampling, measurement, data collection, social and cultural

diversity in research, and internal and external threats to validity.

4. Critically evaluate one’s own practice (introductory basics).

5. Critically evaluate the research of others and other sources of knowledge relevant to

social workers and other sources of knowledge relevant to social workers

(introductory basics).

6. Identify and discuss ethical issues related to research design and the reporting and use

of research results.

7. Select appropriate quantitative analysis methods for reducing and describing data.

8. Demonstrate a beginning understanding of how inferential statistics are used to rule out chance in hypothesis testing.

IV. Linkages to Other Courses

This course is linked vertically and horizontally to content from undergraduate programs and to other courses within the curriculum. It is linked vertically to undergraduate courses by reinforcing understanding of problem-solving as these relate to problem formulation, research design issues, operationalization, reliability, and validity. In its coverage of methods for examining problem-solving approaches and questions about human behavior at various system levels, this course links horizontally to the content taught concurrently the course on practice with groups (710), and human behavior and the social environment (716). Because it provides the foundation for evaluation of practice, this course supports foundation and advanced practice courses, as well as the capstone course (718). It introduces concepts that will be expanded upon and applied in the evaluation research course (793), taught during the advanced year, which focuses on designs for evaluation social work practice and programs. Finally, this course supports Social Welfare Policy Analysis (742), as students will have practical learning in how to locate and analyze a data set for policy research and analysis. Students are expected to complete and participate, as appropriate, in ongoing agency research during their placements.

V. Methods of Instruction

Instructors may use a variety of teaching methods and learning aids. These may include lectures, class discussions, speakers, small group projects, quizzes, student presentations and experiential computer exercises applying SPSS software. In addition, classroom instruction may be provided on the use of the Internet in locating and evaluating research information.

Any student who because of a disability may need special arrangements or accommodations to meet the requirements of this course should consult with the instructor as soon as possible. The office of Disability Services provides an array of services to meet the needs of students with disabilities, according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. See information and guidelines provided in The Carolina Community: Student Handbook and Policy Guide.