In social work practice and in program development, it is possible to make faulty assumptions about what clients need and what social work activities will lead to. Consider the following: A team of social workers meets to discuss their services to low-income young mothers. One social worker states that what the young mothers need most…

To ensure the success of a program evaluation, a social worker must generate a specific detailed plan. That plan should describe the goal of the evaluation, the information needed, and the methods and analysis to be used. In addition, the plan should identify and address the concerns of stakeholders. A social worker should present information…

Evidence-based social work practice calls for the use of research data to guide the development of social work interventions on the micro, mezzo and/or macro-levels. Kearney (2001) described ways qualitative research findings can inform practice. Qualitative findings can help social workers understand the clients’ experiences and “what it may feel like” (Kearney, 2001). Therefore, social…

Assignment: Creating a Single-System (Subject) Design Study The steps at the heart of single-system (subject) research are part of the everyday practice of social work. Each day social workers implement interventions to meet clients’ needs and monitor results. However, conducting proper single-system (subject) research entails far more than these simple day-to-day practices. Proper single-system research…

Discussion: Selection of a Statistical Analysis Approach Though data analysis occurs after the study has completed a data collection stage, the researcher needs to have in mind what type of analysis will allow the researcher to obtain an answer to a research question. The researcher must understand the purpose of each method of analysis, the…

Assignment: Working With Data Statistical analysis software is a valuable tool that helps researchers perform the complex calculations. However, to use such a tool effectively, the study must be well designed. The social worker must understand all the relationships involved in the study. He or she must understand the study’s purpose and select the most…

SOCW – 6070-Supervision, Leadership, and Administration in Social Work Organization Discussion: External Factors Impacting an Organization   Last week, you explored how systems theory and the ecological perspective emphasize the interaction between a human services organization and its environment. Any change in one part of the system effects change in another part of the system.…

The first steps toward narrowing the gap between research and practice are recognizing that one exists and educating oneself and others. Social workers must realize the benefits and eliminate the misconceptions surrounding evidence-based practice. In the Bradley episode featured in the resources, the social worker combines her assessment of Tiffani Bradley’s individual situation with her…

SOCIAL WORK SOCW-6311-SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE RESEARCH II Discussion: Characteristics, Challenges, and Opportunities of Evidence-Based Design   • Consider the following quotation: “Often times, potential users of research knowledge are unconnected to those who do the research, and consequently a huge gap ensues between research knowledge and practice behaviors” (Barwick, M., Boudell, K., Stasiulis, E., Ferguson,…

Part 3 (Due week 14) (Written part 2) Method of data collection  • How will you collect the data? (questionnaire/survey, focus groups, in-depth interviews? Will you collect data online/remotely or in person?  • What are the strengths and limitations of this method?  • How will your data collection method reflect inclusion for people within communities…