WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

School of Social Work

SOCWRK 365 -- Introduction to Social Work Research

Semester: Fall 2005                                                                  Professor: Brandon W. Youker

Class Meets: Tuesday 4:00 to 6:20                                           Email: brandon_youker@yahoo.com

Class Room #: 2088 CHHS.                                                  Cell: (203) 606-1594

Office Hours: by appointment.

Available by email and cell phone. I have no scheduled office hour but am happy to schedule meetings at a convenient time for both of us. 

Course Description

This course is designed to increase students’ knowledge of research as a tool for social work practice. Students will acquire the basic skills and knowledge to utilize existing social research for practice-related decision-making, as well as the capacity to carry out systematic methods of inquiry in the practice setting. The implementation of these research skills will enhance service delivery and contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.

Course Objectives

The course is based on a knowing-understanding-doing paradigm. This means that students are expected to demonstrate:

1. knowledge and understanding of course topics achieved through class discussions, written assignments, and examinations;
2. the ability to analyze research and statistical reports achieved through written assignments and examinations; and,
3. the ability to perform selected social work research and evaluation procedures achieved through class discussions, exercises, written assignments, and examinations.

Course Topics

• The purpose of social work research and evaluation
• The relationships among social work research and evaluation and social work practice
• The origin and evolution of empirical practice models
• The role of theory in social work research and practice
• Theory development
• Ethical issues in social work research and evaluation
• Problem identification and formulation
• Developing research questions and hypotheses
• Conceptualizing and operationalizing variables
• Sampling theory and techniques
• Research designs
• Threats to internal and external validity of research designs
• Strengths and limitations of research procedures
• Principles and methods of data collection
• Instrument development, validity and reliability
• Methodology assumptions and limitations
• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Research reporting

Accommodation for Disabilities

Any student with a documented disability (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.), who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact Disabled Student Resources and Services (http://www.dsrs.wmich.edu/) at the beginning of the semester. A disability determination must be made by this office before any accommodations are provided by the instructor. Ms. Beth denHartigh is the Director of the Center and can be reached by telephone: (269) 387-2120 or email: beth.denHartigh@wmich.edu.

Academic Misconduct

You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate (pp. 274-276) or Graduate (pp. 26-28) Catalog that pertain to Academic Integrity. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse, and can be viewed online by going to http://www.osc.wmich.edu/academicintegrity/catalog.html.

Not only are the infractions of academic dishonesty a violation of university regulations but they are also a serious breach of the ethical code of conduct for the social work profession. If there is a reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, the Office of Student Conduct will be notified using the procedures outlined in the Guidelines for Instructors. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or examination.

Classroom Expectations

Students are asked to give the course the same consideration as any other professional social work setting, and show both the instructor and their peers the same courtesy as would be expected among professional colleagues.

A)    Attendance

In the event that you are unable to attend or will be late for a class session or meeting, you are expected to inform the instructor either by email or phone in advance of the class. It is then your responsibility to seek any information missed.

B)     Class Participation

You are expected to contribute to class discussion. Informed disagreement is both anticipated and welcomed. All members of the class are expected to be respectful of the opinions of others and to show courtesy in interactions with each other.

C)    Preparation for Class

You are expected to prepare for each class as indicated in the course schedule. Preparation activity includes but is not limited to completing reading the assigned readings prior to class, summarizing the content and being prepared to discuss it, participating in study groups, listing questions or reactions to the material, and making connections between concepts in current readings and earlier readings.

 

D)    Course Syllabus

Since the syllabus is the learning contract for the course, it is expected that you read all pages of your course syllabus by the second class session. Give extra attention to the following course pages (all web-based): main, overview, policies, reading list, schedule, assignments, and gradebook. If you have any questions about the course syllabus, ask the instructor at the second class meeting or as soon as they arise (e-mail or phone messages are always welcome.)

Other instructor expectations:

• Write in a logical, clear, and succinct manner.
• Read the assigned readings before class and be prepared to discuss the readings.
• Bring in your own experiences relevant to research and evaluation.
• Attend all scheduled class and wait 20 minutes before leaving the classroom if I am late (I don’t anticipate any unscheduled interruptions).
• Become proficient in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). This may mean work outside of class. You can obtain an introduction to Excel from classmates, Microsoft word Help or Office Assistant, and online Excel tutorials. You should also visit: http://homepages.wmich.edu/~wlacefie/EMR%20Support%20Documentation.htm.
• Please turn all cell phones or other electronic devises to off, silent, or vibrate.
• Read guidelines closely, particularly in preparing for the final paper. You will have to do the literature review, know and use correct citations, and include a table pasted from Excel. You will want to choose a research topic as soon as possible and being planning accordingly.

All homework and writing assignments must follow these guidelines.

• Must include only student number and date in the upper right hand corner of the paper. I do not want papers with students’ names typed or written on them.
• Keep within the word limitations.
• Double spaced, 1 inch margins, print double-sided, and stapled in left-hand corner. No cover page, or folders please.
• 12 pt font size, Times New Roman font.
• Proper APA writing and citation.
• Proper grammar and spelling, (if this is a problem e-mail me or see me after class; also please use the WMU writing center as appropriate).
• Handed in before class. No homework will be accepted 30 minutes after the scheduled class start time.

Evaluation of Student Performance

A)    Instructor Feedback and Extra Credit

Students are expected to submit their best work for each course assignment (graded or not) on the scheduled due date. Instructor feedback on earlier drafts of assignments is available up to the date specified in a particular course schedule (usually one week prior to the scheduled due date of the assignment). Check your course schedule for specifics. This timeframe allows students sufficient time to consider and integrate the feedback provided. There will be one small extra-credit opportunity to be determined by the instructor. Re-doing assignments after the due date is not an option in this instructor’s courses. The reasons for this policy are to model expectations of the real-world work environment for the social work professional and to give students the opportunity to develop proactive work/study habits for optimal professional performance. Students are encouraged to get early drafts of assignments to the instructor for feedback prior to grading.

B)     Alternate Assignments

If a student has a compelling argument that a particular assignment for the course will significantly disadvantage his/her grade, then he/she may propose an alternative assignment to the instructor. A proposal must be made in writing and submitted to the instructor by the second class meeting (e-mail submissions are acceptable). A separate proposal is required for each assignment being contested, and each proposal must include the following:

·        name and number of the course

·        name the assignment being contested

·        a rationale that clearly explains why the student feels that the particular assignment will disadvantage him or her

·        a detailed description of the "proposed" alternate assignment (must cover the same general content of the original assignment)

·        proposed new due dates, if applicable

·        the student's name (typed), date of proposal, and signature of student

The instructor will judge the quality and reasonableness of the proposal and make a determination of whether or not to accept it by the third class meeting. If the instructor accepts the proposal, then he will add his signature, and provide a signed copy of the proposal to the student for his or her records. The instructor will keep the original proposal.

C)    Missed or Late Work

Make-up examinations or assignments, as a rule, will not be permitted. All assignments are due 30 minutes after the start of the class on the date due (refer to class schedule), or otherwise as noted in the course syllabus. Late papers and assignments will not be accepted. Assignments, tests, or papers not submitted will receive a score of zero. All submissions attempt to meet professional writing standards and by using the American Psychological Association (APA) style guide to organize your papers and cite references. For a brief guide to APA see, http://www.wmich.edu/library/guides/style/apa.php.  Logical paper/report format, proper grammar, correct spelling, and use of non-biasing language are all basic elements of professional writing. Students are encouraged to contact WMU's Writing Center (http://www.wmich.edu/casp/writing_center.htm) for assistance. The more you read professional or academic writing, the easier it will become and you will become more familiar with writing standards and paper formatting.
http://homepages.wmich.edu/~wlacefie/EMR%20Support%20Documentation.htm
*Note: The information presented in this syllabus does not represent the official statements or views of either Western Michigan University or the School of Social Work.

Final Grade Distribution

Criteria for the Evaluation of Student Performance:

• Weekly Homework Assignments: 20 pts.
• Unannounced quizzes on reading assignments: 15 pts.
• Proposal bibliography and outline due by mid-semester but not graded. A submission is required. You must get approval from me on your topic. (On your own, you will want to have read Chapter 24: Writing Quantitative Proposals and Reports and Chapter 27: Writing Qualitative Proposals and Reports. (5 pts for submitting something relevant).
• Mid-term exam: 50 pts.
• Final Research and/or Evaluation Proposal/Report. In your citation, you must have included the required textbooks, at least 1 book other than the textbooks and; 3 professional/peer-reviewed journal articles. The rest of the references you use are up to you. Must include at least one table, copied and pasted from EXCEL, and must incorporate terminology from this course. 100 pts.
• Extra Credit. Bring a newspaper or magazine article (popular media) that discusses research and/or evaluation. Discuss, critique, or write an editorial of roughly 750 words with a very brief summary of the article and a description of its relation to the social work profession and research/evaluation. The important thing here is critical thinking! I want opinions, questions, criticism, and comments! 15 pts.