RM 512 Research Process
Fall, 2011
Theresa Vidalon, MSW
tvidal2@uic.edu
Cell: 773-319-9587
Course Description
This course will explore research processes in order to provide a foundation for future student research. A wide range of topics related to social work research methodologies will be discussed, including: social work evidence-based practice, human research subject protections, problem formulation and conceptualization, sampling techniques, survey research design, and measurement.
Knowledge, Value, and Skill Learning Objectives of the Course
Students will:
Knowledge
- Gain knowledge of basic research methodology
- Understand research problem formulation and conceptualization
- Learn about different sampling techniques
Value
- Discuss ethical concerns related to research
- Recognize the value and importance of human research subject protections
- Explore implications of research design
Skills
- Utilize computer database searches to review the literature
- Critique existing research
- Construct a questionnaire utilizing best practices
Required Texts and Readings*
Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2008). Research methods for social work (6th Ed.) Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Co.
Additional readings are available through the Laura Kramer Fischer Library or through inter-library loan.
*Previous or newer editions for the class textbook are acceptable to use as long as students locate the appropriate readings that are identified in the syllabus for each class. Readings assigned for each class should be located and completed prior to class. Students should contact the instructor if they are unable to locate the class readings.
Recommended Text and Websites
American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th Ed.). Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) reviews APA guidelines for academic writing and citing of references: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/.
Library Use and Basic Searching Tutorial located on the ICSW website: http://www.icsw.edu/library/Library%20use%20and%20basic%20searching.html. Please review prior to conducting literature searches.
Grading
A
90-100 pts |
Superior Work evidenced by assignments and class participation that reflect outstanding understanding of class materials, consistent demonstration of critical and analytical skills, and creativity. |
B
80-89 pts |
Satisfactory Work evidenced by assignments and class participation that reflect essential understanding of class materials and frequent demonstration of critical and analytical skills. |
C
70-79 pts |
Marginal Work evidenced by assignments and class participation that reflect some understanding of class materials and occasional demonstration of critical and analytical skills. |
F
< 60 pts |
Failure evidenced by assignments and class participation that reflect insufficient understanding of class materials and limited critical and analytical skills. |
Assignments
Class attendance and participation 20%
CITI Ethics Module 10% Due Class 3
Dissertation Overview & Critique 15% Due Class 4
Dissertation Ideas Paper 20% Due Class 6
Short Survey 15% Due Class 7
Annotated Bibliography 20% Due Class 8
- All assignments should be formatted according to the ICSW Style Manual (located in the ICSW website: Academic Resources, Resources for Students, Informational Documents). Assignments must be formatted according to the APA citation style. Papers should be: double spaced, written in 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1” margin, numbered pages, and cover page. Points will be deducted from assignments that are not formatted according to APA citation style.
- Students are responsible for fully discussing the required content for each assignment; however, there are no page number requirements for assignments in this class. The instructor will provide a range of pages that previous students have submitted for each assignment, but this does not mean students must submit their assignment within that range. Rather, students should review the grading criteria and aim to successfully achieve the criteria for the highest grade using their individual writing style (i.e. short and concise, long and multifaceted, etc.).
- It is recommended to submit assignments electronically over email; however, assignments can be submitted in paper form at the beginning of the class held on the due date. Additionally, assignments can be submitted to the instructor up to one week after the due date without penalty. It is helpful if students inform the instructor they will be taking this extra week. The specific reason why is not necessary. Late assignments will be dropped one letter grade every subsequent week after the initial grace period.
- If the class topic has not been fully covered in the lecture, the assignment due date may be pushed back. Students will be informed by the instructor if this occurs. For example, if the Questionnaire Design lecture in Class 6 is concluded in Class 7 instead of Class 6, then the assignment will be due on Class 8 rather than Class 7.
Class attendance and participation is defined by regularly and promptly attending class with a willingness to engage in a thoughtful discussion and ask questions about the assigned readings and class topics. Refraining from actively participating in class will negatively affect this grade. Students must obtain instructor approval prior to missing a class. Missing a class will also negatively affect this grade. A missed class cannot be made up.
The CITI Ethics Module assignment requires completion of ethics module located at: http://www.citiprogram.org/default.asp?language=english. This assignment will introduce concepts related to the protection of human research subjects and is due by the start of Class Three.
The Dissertation Overview & Critique assignment involves locating a dissertation completed by an ICSW student. Dissertations can be located at: http://www.icsw.edu/resources/library/dissertations.php.
Submit a paper that describes:
- Student's Introduction to Dissertation Overview & Critique Paper
- Title & Author of ICSW Dissertation
- Research Problem & Justification for the Study
- Theoretical Framework
- Research Questions and/or Hypotheses
- Methodology
- Analysis
- Discussion of the Strengths and Limitations of the Study (The student's opinion
- Student's Conclusion to Dissertation Overview & Critique Paper
The assignment is due by the start of Class Four
The Dissertation Ideas Paper assignment requires students to submit an essay about their emerging ideas for their dissertation. This assignment is intended as a beginning step in clarifying the student's research ideas and the student is not expected to have a highly developed dissertation proposal; rather, the student should consider this assignment as a thoughtful essay that explores the beginning of the research process.
Submit a paper that describes:
- Student’s Introduction to Dissertation Ideas Paper
- Identification of a Problem that is Important to the Field of Social Work
- Rationale for Selecting Research Problem
- Research Questions and/or Hypotheses
- Sampling Plan
- Potential Data Collection Method(s) (including specific details about a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods design)
- Student’s Conclusion to Dissertation Ideas Paper
The assignment is due by Class Six.
The Short Survey assignment entails writing a short survey related to the student’s research problem or area of interest. The assignment requires precision and attention to detail and should not be underestimated.
Submit an assignment that includes:
- Cover Page that Identifies Student Name and Credentials, Affiliation with ICSW, Title of Survey, and Image representing Content of Survey
- Introduction (including Purpose of Survey)
- Instructions for Respondents and/or Interviewers to answer Questions
- Five Survey Questions (Including a Maximum of Two Demographic Questions that are related to the Student’s Research Problem)
- Formatting according to the Class Guidelines
- Thank You Message
- Instructions on Returning Survey
The assignment is due by Class Seven.
The Annotated Bibliography assignment involves selecting five research articles that are helpful in understanding the research problem
Submit a paper that includes:
- APA citation of five research articles
- Summary of article below each citation
- Reason(s) for selecting each article (include discussion on how the article relates to the research problem and the student’s research process)
- Any concerns regarding the study (such as sampling plan, methodology, etc.) If there are no concerns, this should be stated explicitly.
The assignment is due by Class Eight.
Topical Outline and Required Readings
Class One: Introduction and Overview
- Introductions
- Class Overview
- Importance of Research
- Introduction to Inquiry
- Implications of Research Design
Required Readings:
Rubin & Babbie, Chapter 1
Beutler, L., & Karno, M. (1999). Psychotherapy research: Basic or applied? Journal of Clinical Psychology, 55(2), 171-180.
Class Two: Evidence-Based Practice & Introduction to Research
- Scientific Method
- Theory
- Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
- Evaluating Practice
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Concerns about Evidence-Based Practice
Required Readings:
Rubin & Babbie, Chapter 2-3
Gorey, K. M., Thyer, B. A., & Pawluck, D. E. (1998). Differential effectiveness of
prevalent social work practice models: A meta-analysis. Social Work, 43(3), 269-278.
**Completion of CITI Ethics Module is due by Class Three**
Class Three: Ethics and Research
- Ethical Issues in Research
- Misconduct in Research
- Institutional Review Boards
- NASW Code of Ethics
Required Readings:
Rubin & Babbie, Chapter 4
Read and print out the ICSW IRB Manuel: http://www.icsw.edu/resources/irb.php
Read section 5.02 of the NASW code of ethics: http://www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/code.asp
Oakes, J. M. (2002). Risks and wrongs in social science research. An evaluator's guide to
the IRB. Evaluation Research, 26(5), 443-479.
Myers, L., & Thyer, B. A. (1997). Should social work clients have the right to effective treatment? Social Work, 97(42), 288-298.
** Dissertation Overview & Critique is due by Class Four**
Class Four: Problem Formulation, Conceptualization, & Operationalization
- Identification of Problem & Formulation
- Hypothesis
- Units of Analysis
- Conceptualization & Operationalization
- Time
Required Readings:
Rubin & Babbie, Chapters 5 & 6 (4th edition) or 6 & 7 (6th edition)
McCabe, R., & Priebe, S. (2004). The therapeutic relationship in the treatment of severe mental illness: A review of methods and findings. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 50(2), 115-128.
Class Five: Measurement
- Levels of Measurement
- Reliability & Validity: Quantitative & Qualitative Methods
- Measurement Error
- Scales & Measures
Required Readings:
Rubin & Babbie, Chapter 7 (4th edition) & 8 (6th edition)
** Dissertation Ideas Paper is due by Class Six**
Class Six: Questionnaire Design
- Basic Survey/Questionnaire Design
- Choosing Response Categories
- Demographic Questions
- Formatting & Coding
Required Readings:
Rubin & Babbie, Chapter 8 (4th edition) & 9 (6th edition)
** Short Survey is due by Class Seven**
Class Seven: Survey Research
- Survey Modes
- Asking about Sensitive Topics
- Quantifying Qualitative Data
- Cultural sensitivity
Required Readings:
Lazar, A., & Guttman, J. (2003). Therapist’s benefits from conducting psychotherapy:
The case of social workers. Research on Social Work Practice, 13(6), 705-723.
** Annotated Bibliography Paper is due by Class Eight**
Class Eight: Sampling
- Sampling Frames
- Probability vs. Non-Probability Sampling
- Sampling Designs
- Generalizability & Representativeness
Required Readings:
Rubin & Babbie, Chapter 9 (4th edition) & 14 (6th edition)