The profession of social work is built upon practice-informed research and research-informed practice. This class will provide the student with an understanding of how to design a research project, both single subject and larger subject, from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective. Students understand how to read research on best-practice, using their knowledge of research to critically analyze the research and apply it to their practice. They will also learn how to bring practice knowledge into social work research.
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:
- Evaluate the value and impact of questions posed in published research for the practice community and clients. (G4a)(G4d)
- Develop research questions that recognize and distinguish between pathology and various social conditions, such as poverty, social inequality, person and environment language. (G4a)(G2f)
- Examine the complementary relationship between qualitative and quantitative research findings about social work assessment, intervention, or other practice questions. (G4b)
- Articulate procedures to ethically and systematically generate data during in vivo social work assessment and intervention processes. (G4d)(G9c)
- Reflect on the importance of personal agency in professional development generally and in guiding practice-related research inquiry specifically. (C4a)
- Scale research design for self-directed practice inquiry and improvement. (G4c; C4e)
Prerequisite: MSW 600 History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare