CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY
Introduction to Social Work Research
Social Work 374
FALL 1998
Evelyn Newman Phillips, MSW, Ph.D.
Office: Room 110E Diloreto Hall
Office Hours:
Telephone: (680) 832-2617
Email Phillipse@ccsu. edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This introductory course examines basic research knowledge and skills for beginning social workers. Theories of social research, hypothesis testing, research design, sampling, data collection techniques, and ethical issues germane to social workers and other social scientists are included. Quantitative and qualitative research methods are introduced. Fundamental research skills will be developed through experiential learning, lectures, and class discussion. These experiences will enable you to conceptualize a problem, design a research project, and collect and analyze data about various problems and issues.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Students will be able to achieve the following objectives:
1. Understand the philosophical principles of rationalism and
empiricism in the study of human behavior.
2. Conceptualize, operationalize, and analyze complex human
behavior.
3. Become familiar with bibliographic research tools.
4. Evaluate research reports and determine their validity and
generalizability.
5. Discuss and understand professional ethics related to the
research process.
6. Write a report of research results.
Field Project.
There is one major research project. However, this assignment has
been divided into
components to facilitate the integration of the text and field
experiences.
Fieldwork is very time consuming, therefore it is necessary to
plan your time carefully.
There will be a mid-term examination and your final project.
Required Texts:
Marlow, Christine 1998
Research Methods for Generalist Social Work. Pacific Grove, CA:
Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
Friedman, Bruce 1998
The Research Tool Kit: Putting It all Together. Pacific Grove,
CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
Jones, James 1993
Bad Blood: The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. New York: Free
Press.
Texts by Marlow and Friedman provide on overview to the research
process. Marlone addresses theories and rationale while Friedman
breaks the reseach task into smaller components. Jones reminds us
that research may be used to reinforce unethical social
conventions.
Materials suggested to help organize your research.
1. Spiral notebooks for journal and field notes.
2. A tape recorder and cassettes.
3. A camera.
4. Film.
This class is designed to be a cooperative learning experience. In addition to individually reading the required materials, we will discuss and share our research and field experiences.
GRADING:
To be as objective and fair as possible, I designed the following
system to assess students' performances. Research is often
circuitous. Plans may disrupted and unforeseen barriers may
prevent you from collecting data from a certain population. The
research process is a winding course. Therefore, I will allow you
to revise assignments if needed. The goal of the class is to
learn to conduct comprehensive research.
Final Research Project == 100 points: Due
You will be judged on conceptualization of hypothesis,
operational definitions of variables, review of literature,
research design, methods used to collect data, analysis of data
and your ability to convey the results of the research in a
written format.
Conceptualization of Research Project ==20 points Due
You will be assessed on your ability to conceptualize a
short-term research project that can be implemented in a timely
fashion.
Literature Review == 30 points Due. A literary understanding of the prior research and the issues that frame your research will be assessed.
Research Design == 40 points Due
The research design indicates how the data will be collected
and how the collection of the data will either explain your
hypothesis or answer your questions. Proposed questions and
instruments must relate to hypothesis and variables. Explain type
of study and sampling methods. Plus include a time line for
collecting data.
Oral Life History Interview and Analysis== 40 points Due
You will conduct a life history related to your research topic. A
life history is not just an interview.As a researcher you are
expected to analyze the meaning of the information provided.
Mid-term Examination == 50 points
Research Reports == 50 points Each studentwill present research
findings. Due
You are expected to discuss your research and how your
findings explain the questions that generated the research.
Active Class Participation == 50 points. Your informed knowledge of the assigned readings will be assessed.
If you have a medical problem that precludes you from fully
participating in class activities. Please contact me in order
that I may accomodate your needs.
More than 3 unexcused absences will lower your grade by 20 points for each day missed.
Total Possible Points == 430
>90% of == A
>80% of == A
>70% of == C
>60% of == D
>55% of == D-
<50% of == F
All major papers must be typed. All work must be stapled. Do Not Use Plastic Folders.
Make 2 copies of your work. Keep 1 copy for your files.
Week 1 -
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
We will examine the epistemological foundations of research in
Western heritage.
What conditions led to the development of research? Why have
Western societies
placed great faith in positivist research? What is the role of
intuition in research?
Read: Marlow, Chapter 1 Science and Social Work. & Chap. 2,
Research and Generalist Social Work Practice Pp. 1-27.
Friedman, Chapter 1 What is Research? Pp. 1-8
Week 2 -
CONCEPTUALIZING RESEARCH
How should research questions be framed? What is a
hypothesis? Do social conditions influence research? Does the
background of the researcher affect the types of questions asked?
Read:
Marlow Chap.3 Deciding the Question" Pp. 40-45
Friedman, Chap. 2 "The Question." Pp. 13-16.
Jones, Chapter 1 "A Moral Astigmatism." Pp. 1-15.
Based on the material from Jones' chapter develop two research
questions. They may address any of the issues discussed.
Written assignment: Due
Determine research questions or problem that you will study
during this course. You should also develop a time-line. One to
two typed-written pages are sufficient.. 20 points
Week 3
Literature Review
Bibliographic research tools will be investigated. What is the
purpose of the literature review?
Read:
Marlow, Chapter 4, "Developing the Question"
Pp. 49-55
Friedman, Chapter 3, "Literature Review." Pp.17-24
Jones, Chapter 2 & 3 "A Notoriously Syphilis-Soaked
Race" Pp16-29. "Disease Germs are the Most Democratic
Creatures in the World." Pp. 30-45.
In which context has Jones framed the historical issues related
to medical research on African Americans? Which apects of
previous research does he investigates.
Begin to examine the literature related to the problem
you are researching. Explore what other scholars report about the
topic you are studying. Which aspects of the problem are not
investigated? What are the limitations of the studies conducted?
What consensus is reached about the subject? Write a 5 page
literature review related to your research. Submit your
literature review in two weeks from today's class.
* Please continue to read Jones. During the eight week, we will
revisit this book to discuss ethical issues related to research.
Pace yourself to have completely read the book by 8th week.
Week 4 DeterminingVariables and Proposing Hypotheses and
Units of Analyses
Who and what should I study? What are the relationship between
various variables.
Read: Marlow, Chapter 4, "Developing the
Question" cont'd. Pp. 49-64.
Friedman, Chapter 5 "Variables"Pp. 29-38
Bernard, Russell 1994 Chapter 2 "Foundation of Social
Research." Pp. 19-50. (On Reserve)
Week 5
Types of Research Designs: Explanatory or Descriptive,
Quantitative or Qualitative?
Which model of research willl help me to effectively answer my
questions?
Read: Marlow "Deciding on the Question"
Pp.29-46. and Designing Program Evaluations." Pp. 85-103.
Friedman, Chapter 7 "Research Design." Pp. 39-43.
Assignment: Design your research. Submit research
proposal two weeks from today's class.
Week 6
Designing Single System Research.
Reading Assignment:
"Designing the Evaluation of Practice." Pp. 111-129.
Week 7
Life History: An Insider's Perspective
This week's lessons will examine the implication of life
histories for interpreting human behavior.
Reading Assignment:
New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press. (in Packet)
Martin, Ruth 1987 "Oral History in Social Work Education:
Chronicling the Black Experience." Journal of Social Work
Education 3:5-10. (On reserve)
Writing Assignment: Record an interview with a research subject about an aspect of his or her life. Determine the themes in his or her life and discuss how those concepts are linked to larger issues in the society and your research. Five doubled-typed pages are sufficient.
Week 7
Ethnography and Participant Observation
Atkinson, Paul and Martyn Hammersley "Ethnography and
Participant Observation."
Pp. 248-261. (On Reserve)
Assignment:With a partner, select a site and
observe the activities that occur. Bring your observations to
class to discuss. Consider the ways in which different people may
interpret the same activities that you observed. Allow a minimum
of two hours for this activity.
Supplemental Reading:
Estroff, J. 1981 Making It Crazy: An Ethnography of Psychiatric
Clients in An American Community. Berkeley: University of
California Press.
Week 7 October 17 Mid Term Examination.
Examination will be designed to assess your knowledge of the
historical and theoretical frameworks guiding research in the
Western world, hypotheses, bibliographic research tools,
instruments, reliability, life history, single system design and
other relevant information covered during the first 8 weeks.
(Total possible = 50 points).
Week 8 October 24 and 26
Who Informs the Research
Reading Assignment: Royse, Chapter 6 "Sampling
Theory." Pp. 113-125. Bernard "Informants" Pp.
165-179. Spradley and McCurdy, Chapter 3 "Cultural
Informants"Pp.41-56. (on reserve)
This class will uncover the role of sampling and address sampling
size and types. Also, we will discuss informants' role in
qualitative research. The ability to generalize research
significantly is determined by who informs the researcher.
Week 9 October 31 and November 2
Surveys and Questionnaires: Covering A Large Universe
We will examine how to design questionnaires and explore three
methods for collecting surveys.
Royse, Chapter 6, "Survey Research "Pp. 101--112. &
Chapter 7 "Questionnaire Design" Pp. 129-148.
Written Assignment: Submit a three-page proposal of the
research you plan to conduct. Explain hypothesis, research
questions and methods that inform your research. Include a copy
of the questions or questionnaire you will be using. Discuss why
you have used either open-ended or direct questions. Explain your
rationale for question format and questions. (30 points) Due
October 31. Hopefully, you have plotted the process and preceded
to collect data before this date.
Week 10 November 7 and November 9
Archival Research
We will investigate public documents such as street directories,
census data, maps, photographs and other historical data.
Reading assignment:
Royse, "Unobtrusive Approaches to Data Collection:
Secondary Data and Content Analysis.' Pp. 149-172.
Denzin, Norman K. 1989 The Research Act: A Theoretical
Introduction to Sociological Methods. Englewood Cliffs, New
Jersey: Prentice Hall. Chapter 9, "Film, Photography and
Sociology. "
Written Assignment:
Document an apsect of your research with films. Try to be as
comprehensive as possible. Bring photographs to class. In class
discussion will examine the pros and cons of film. What do the
photographs show? What do they convey?
Due Nov.7 ( 20 Points)
Week 11 November 14 and 16
Data Analysis
Reading Assignment:
Royse, Chapter 9, "Preparing and Analyzing Data." Pp.
173-192.
Spradley and McCurdy. Chapter 4 Cultural Meaning" Pp. 58-79.
(on reserve)
Salmon, Patricia 1993 "Healing Images: Viewing the Client's
World Through Drawings"Journal of Holistic Nursing
11(1):21-41.
Week 12 November 21 (November 23, no class- Thanksgiving)
Qualitative Analysis: A Search for Patterns
We will examine how ideas, behaviors, concepts and world views
may be coded and documented into discrete systems.
Reading Assignment:
Royse, Chapter 11 "Qualitative Research." Pp. 217-232.
Meet with me to discuss the progress of your research.
Week 13 November 28 and November 30
Put Those Findings in Writing
Components of research papers and journal articles will be
discussed. Also, we will examine how to critique research
manuscripts.
Reading Assignment:
Royse, Chapter 13, "Writing Research Reports and Journal
Articles." Pp. 253- 270.
Week 14 - December 5 and December 7
Students will report the results of their research.
Weeks 15 - December 12
Reports continued
December 14
Review,
Research Project due. Also field notes due.
The challenges, joys and successes of fieldwork will be shared.
Final examination will occur during final week.
MAJOR ASSIGNMENT SHEET:
Each student will design and conduct a research project.
1. You will determine the research question or problem you plan to study -- quantitatively and/or qualitatively. For example, you may decide to study child care needs among social work students at Central. You may observe how international and domestic students interact to discover the implication for programs. Recycling of plastics in the dorm may interest you. There are many issues one can study. Keep it manageable. You have approximately 10 weeks.. . Your proposed research project idea should be submitted for review by Sept. 14. 20 points. Discuss in your journal/ field notes how you determined the problem to study.
2. Conduct a literature review of your research question. The literature review should help delineate the research problem, discover methodologies that have been used by other researchers, uncover areas which have not been researched and indicate theoretical models. Essentially, a literature review discusses what research has been conducted, what was discovered, what agreements have been reached and which issues are unresolved. (Submit a five-page draft of your literature review by Sept 28.) Bibliographic data must accompany review. (30 Points)
3. Determine the research design. Discuss methodology and
questions. Outline sampling techniques and discuss how variables
will be operationalized and data will be collected and analyzed.
If an intervention is to be made, discuss its implication for the
type of design that you will use. Design is due October 31. (30
points)
4.Arrange to me with me to discuss progress report no later than November 10.
5. November 30 Dec. 5, & Dec. 12, each student will give final results of research. Final written report, diary and field notes are due Dec. 14. (Oral team report 50 points)
Thoughts
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. ...... Frederick
Douglass
A man's (sic) bread and butter is only insured when he (sic)
works for it. ...
Marcus Harvey
We must reinforce argument with results..... Booker T. Washington
Cultural influences have set up the assumptions about the mind, the body, and the universe with which we begin; pose the questions we ask; influence the facts we seek, determine the interpretation we give these facts; and direct our reaction to these interpretations and conclusions. .... Gunnar Mydral
Measurement enables us to analyse like things according to the calculable form of identity and differences. Michel Foucault
The entire object of true education is to make people not merely
to do the right things, but enjoy them; not merely industrious,
but to love industry; not merely learned but to love knowledge;
nor mere pure, but to love purity; not merely just, but to hunger
and thirst after justice.... John Ruskin
A GENERAL MODEL FOR SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
State General Problem
Conduct Literature Search
State Specific Problem
Design Methodology
Gather Data
Analyze Data
Report Results
Refine Hypotheses
Please complete form and return to instructor.
Name ________________________________________
Address _________________________________________
Telephone _________________________________________
Major _________________________________________
Date of Birth ___________________
Research Interest:
Do you have a job? How many hours a week do you work?
Current Placement or Volunteer Placement
Goal For This Class:
Signature _______________________________