Professional Documents
Culture Documents
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A detailed look at the techniques and methods of social research as they relate to
sociological theory construction, and to social work practice. The following themes will
be discussed: formulating a research design; measuring and collecting data; and
generalization. The methods of social research examined include: experimental and
quasi-experimental research; survey research, including the interview and questionnaire;
participate in a research project.
IV. POLICIES
Institutional Policies
1. Americans with Disabilities Act: Students with disabilities, who may need
academic accommodation, should contact Dr. Karen Hahn in Lewis Hall, Room
134, or email karen.hahn@saintleo.edu, or call (352) 588-8464.
Program Policies
3. Assignment Policy: Promptness in completing assigned tasks and readings is a
requirement of this course. Assignments turned in late will RESULT IN A
LOWERED GRADE.
Course Policies
8. Because the nature and content of the course is cumulative and because a
significant portion of the students’ grades will be based on class participation and
group work, class attendance is required. In case of an unforeseen absence,
students are responsible for notifying the professor prior to the class period being
missed; and, students are responsible for all missed work. If students missed more
than one class period for whatever reason their final grade may be lowered.
9. Students are expected to read the assigned readings prior to class time. Again,
because a significant portion of the class will be group work, students should
come prepared to discuss the material, and to present their thoughts and ideas.
V. ASSIGNMENTS
RESEARCH PROJECT
approval. The proposal and IRB are sections which will contribute to the final
research project in SWK 320.
requirements
b. methods of recording data, e.g., audio tapes, notes, etc.
c. awareness of nonverbal communication
d. awareness of personal response to subjects
e. impact of the interview setting
3. Data analysis methods: domain analysis
4. Validity and reliability issues
5. Findings and Conclusion
The written report should be, 7-10 pages in length, and cover all of the following
items listed below.
3. The process of the interview including the opening, how the ice was
broken, a description of the setting, issues of data confidentiality, the
challenge of remaining in the researcher role, use of probing questions,
and bringing closure to the interview.
5. A discussion of findings.
10. A discussion of the implications of using qualitative research for the social
sciences.
Your Name
SWK 315
Journal Critique #1
1. Mace, N. L. & Rabins, P. V. (1984). The 36- hour day. Social Work, 28, 225-235.
This article addresses the management issues faced by the families of persons with Alzheimer
Evaluation for the course grade will be computed according to the following:
Three (3) tests 300
Research Proposal/IRB 100
Research project 100
Article Reviews 100
Total Points 550 points
Readings: Chapter 1 Rubin & Babbie. Scientific Inquiry and Social Work.
Chapter 2 Rubin & Babbie. Philosophical Issues in Science and
Research.
Sep. 19th A view between the link of theory and research with emphasize on social
work practice model. An ethical scope in social work research methods
and analysis.
Oct. 2rd Problem formulation: the research proposal defining and identifying the
problem. Conceptualization and operationalization of social work research
methods. The purpose of research with a qualitative perspective on
operational definitions.
Oct. 16th Social research measurements and levels: indexes, scales, typologies. The
implications of levels of measurements: (nominal, ordinal, and interval).
The importance between reliability and validity in social research.
Constructing a qualitative and quantitative measurement tools which uses
open-ended and closed-ended questions.
Nov 13th Case evaluations designs: what to measure, operationally defining a target
problems and goals. Basic single case designs (AB) and data analysis.
Observation in qualitative and quantitative modes: general rules for
interview surveys and coordination and control.
Bibliography
Abel, E.M. (2000). Psychosocial treatments for battered women: a review of empirical
research. Research on Social Work Practice, 10 (1), 55-77.
Azmi, S.H. (1999). A qualitative sociological approach to address issues of diversity for
social work. Journal of Multicultural Social Work, 7 (3/4), 147-164.
Baumgartner, T.A., Strong, C.H., & Hensley, L.D. (2002). Conducting and reading
research in health and human performance. New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
Cherry, A. (2000). A research primer for the helping professions. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth Publications.
Cresswell, J.W. (2003). Research design; Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Gibelman, Margaret and Sheldon R. Gelman. (2001). "Learning from the mistakes of
others: A look at scientific misconduct in research" Journal of Social Work
Education 37(2):241-54.
Glicken, Morley D. (2003). Social research: A simple guide. Boston, MA: Allyn and
Bacon.
Gorey, K.M. (1996). Effectiveness of social work intervention research: Internal versus
external evaluations. Social Work Research, 20 , 119-128.
Grinnell, R.M. (2001). Social work research & evaluation: Quantitative and qualitative
approaches. Itasca, IL: F.E. Peacock Publishers.
Locke, L.F. (2004). Reading and understanding research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage Publications.
Mark, R. (1996). Research made simple: A handbook for social workers. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage Publications.
Miller, Delbert C. and Neil J. Salkind. (2002). Handbook of research design and social
measurement. (6th ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
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Morse, Janice M. and Lyn Richards. (2002). Read me first for a user's guide to
qualitative methods. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Neuman, W.L. (2003). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approach.
(5th ed.) Boston, MS: Allyn and Bacon.
Patton, Michael Quinn. (2001). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. (3rd ed.).
Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Potocky-Tripodi, Miriam, and Tony Tripodi. (1999). New directions for social work
practice research. Washington, D.C: NASW press.
Reynolds, P.D. (1982). Ethics and social science research. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.:
Prentice –Hall.
Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2001). Research methods for social work (4th ed.). Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth.
Rossi, P.H., Lipsey, M.W., & Freeman, H.E. (2003). Evaluation: A systematic approach.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Silverman, D. (2004). Qualitative research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
Publications.
Yaffe, J. & Gotthoffer, D. (1999). Quick Guide to the Internet for Social Work..
Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
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