Applied Research and Ethics – SOWK 680

Course Description

The SOWK 680 Applied Research and Ethics course builds on basic research knowledge, expanding to assessment, evaluation, and ethical program research in social work practice. Developing the necessary skills and cognitive and effective processes to conduct program evaluation, practice evaluation, and the critique of evidence-based practice literature to constantly enhance social work practice and programs is the focus of the course. Students will enhance their skills in research informed practice and practice informed research.

Rationale

Social workers must be able to use research to inform their practice decision making and articulate how their practice experience informs research and evaluation decisions for the betterment of clients and constituents on all levels of practice. Social workers must understand the inherent bias in research and evaluation designs, and be able to evaluate design, analysis, and interpretation using an anti-racist and anti-oppressive perspective in research and program evaluation. 

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be 400-500 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, and include at least 2 scholarly sources. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to the threads of at least 2 classmates. Each reply must be at least 250 words and incorporate at least 1 scholarly resource and 1 Scripture.

(CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F; Competencies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9; Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, & Cognitive and Affective Processes)

Single System Design Assignment

Students will perform a single system design created from either a sample case from current practicum, or with a behavior created from a desired target population they want to work with in future social work practice. The paper should be 2-4 pages. (CLO: A, B, C, D; Competencies: 1, 2, 3, 4; Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, and Cognitive and Affective Processes)

Logic Model Assignment

Using the provided template, students will design a logic model based on a presented social work scenario. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E; Competencies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9; Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, and Cognitive and Affective Processes)

Process Evaluation Assignment

Students will conduct a 4-6-page narrative analysis over a presented process evaluation from a scholarly, peer reviewed article. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E; Competencies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9; Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, and Cognitive and Affective Processes)

Program Evaluation Outcomes Project Assignment

Students will conduct a program evaluation based on a real program chosen from a presented list by the professor. The paper should be 6-10 pages. There should be a minimum of 2 peer reviewed article sources, two additional program website URLs, and 1 biblical citation/reference. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F; Competencies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9; Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, and Cognitive and Affective Processes)

Professional Self-Assessment Assignment

The student will submit a self-assessment of their professional performance in the class using the form provided. (CLO: A; Competency: 1; Dimensions: Skills)

Quiz: Data Analysis Short Answer Quiz

Students will perform a data analysis activity on presented data focusing on a program evaluation. This quiz will contain 10 short answer questions and have a 1-hour time limit. (CLO: A, B, C, D; Competencies: 1, 2, 3, 4; Dimensions: Knowledge, Values, Skills, and Cognitive and Affective Processes)

Quizzes (3)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module. Each quiz will contain 10 multiple-choice and true/false questions and have a 20-minute time limit. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E; Competencies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9; Dimensions: Knowledge)