SOWK 702: Integrative Seminar in Research I

Course Syllabus

I. Purpose/Rationale

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 review and expand students’ knowledge of general research methods that can be used in social work settings. Advanced-standing students are expected to bring to the course basic knowledge and skills in general research methods.

II. Course Content

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

III. Course Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

1. Formulate 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, and internal and external threats to validity.
4. Critically evaluate the research of others in social work;
5. Identify ethical issues and dilemmas related to research design and the reporting of research on social and economic injustice, and identify responses which are consistent with social work values and the NASW Code of Ethics.
6. Formulate research designs that are respectful of social and cultural diversity.

IV. Linkages to Other Courses

This course is linked vertically and horizontally to content from baccalaureate social work programs and to other courses within the curriculum.  This course is linked vertically to undergraduate courses by reinforcing understanding of basic concepts (e.g., problem formulation, operationalization, reliability, and validity) from undergraduate research and statistics courses.  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 in SOWK 700 (practice) and SOWK 704 (policy).  Because it provides the foundation for evaluation of practice and of social welfare policies, this course is linked vertically to SOWK 703 and SOWK 793.  This course provides the foundation for the use of concepts that are relevant to SOWK 703, which focuses on single-system research designs.  This course introduces concepts which will be expanded upon and applied in SOWK 793, taught during the advanced year, which focuses on group designs for evaluation research related to agency services and policies.

This course supports knowledge and experience that students will gain in field practicum.  Students are expected to participate in ongoing agency research during their advanced year 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, or student presentations.  In addition, classroom instruction will be provided on the use of the Internet in locating and evaluating research information.