Class One Jeff Driskell, MSW, PhD Research In Social Work Practice Salem State University School of Social Work Class One Jeff Driskell, MSW, PhD

Agenda Welcome/Check-in Review syllabus One-Minute paper Lecture Introductions Lecture

A typical course session (1:35-4:20pm) Check- in/announcements/ questions Lecture/Activity/ Discussion/weekly comments/speakers 10- minute break around 3:00pm

Syllabus Review

Syllabus Content Attendance/participation Use of technology in class- cell phones/laptops Text books and other readings Readings (Group 1 and Group 2) Weekly comments Assignment overview -------

Major projects for the semester… Agency Assessment Literature Review Evaluation Proposal

Key to success on your assignments Read the directions carefully Follow the directions carefully Give yourself enough time to do the work Take time to re-read your work If possible, have someone else read your work to see if it is grammatical, understandable and coherent Take time to proof-read AND ONCE AGAIN…give yourself enough time to do the work…. Have CONFIDENCE in yourself

One Minute Paper

Questions…

Introduction to Research in Social Work Practice

Many of you may feel a bit like this…

The beginning of my research course in the MSW program My MSW Experience… ME: The beginning of my research course in the MSW program

Hopefully by the end….You will feel like this..

What assumptions do you have about what you will do in this course?

What you won’t see in this class:

What you won’t do in this class: Reinvigorate any childhood-specific math fears No memorization of math formulas No scary math calculations 

You will learn… About the research process How to translate “research language” How to utilize, understand and evaluate research Increase knowledge and skills in problem formulation How to effectively evaluate practice How to improve your critical thinking skills and thus understand evidence-based practice and best practices

What you will do in this class… Read, interpret and evaluate research Match statistical tests to questions

What you will need:

…and you will need this too…

Social Science Research

Professional Ethics Social workers, as professionals, should strive to provide clients with the most effective services Review: What does the Code of Ethics say about our involvement with research? http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp

Social Work and Research Question: How do you define research?

Definition of Social Science Research (Engel et al. 2009) “The use of scientific methods to investigate and/ or evaluate individuals, groups, communities, organizations, and social processes; thus knowledge is produced by these investigations/observations”

Ways of Knowing Question #1- Question #2- If you were to be stung by a bee how would you go about treating it? Question #2- If you were having trouble falling asleep at night, what might you do to help you fall asleep?

Scientific Method A method for acquiring knowledge. Includes the following systematic steps: Identify a problem area Formulate research questions and hypotheses (if quantitative) Develop/identify methods (materials/procedures) Results Formulate conclusions (implications)

Principles of the Scientific Method Good research is… Based on a sample of observations that are often large and diverse (representation) Specified well enough so that it may be accurately replicated by others (methods) Honest about potential biases and actively minimizes their effect (study limitations, threats to validity) Identifies applicability (implications) Sharing of findings (dissemination)

The bottom line: Research is about… Asking questions Deciding how to get answers Thinking about what those answers mean Sharing all of the above with the relevant parties – in a way “real people” can understand

TED Talk: Use of Research http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_w hy_are_we_happy.html

Research in our lives now… How is research used in your field placement, job or life? What problem areas does this research focus on? How do you know it is valid research?

Research as a Tool to Build Knowledge

The Research Process Choose Topic/Prob. Research Questions Present Findings Interpret Data Design Study Analyze Data Collect Data

Social Work and Research Question: “Will I actually ever conduct research”?

Many different words/uses for research Policy analysis Implementation study Program evaluation Performance measurement Process and outcomes Case studies Social work Intervention studies Treatment and control/comparison groups Secondary data analysis Observational studies Narrative analysis Phenomenology Opinion polling Survey research Primary data analysis Ethnography Participatory action research (PAR) Meta-analysis Content analysis Process evaluation

Research Approaches/Design Quantitative- (deductive) Numeric approach Develops and tests theory Establishes relationships and/or causation Hypothesis driven Qualitative- (inductive) Interpretive approach Hypothesis generating Development of theory Researcher as the data collection tool Describes meaning or discovery

Both types have similar components Begin with a problem area Identification of a data source and sample Identification of study design analysis plan Implementing the data collection process Data entry and analysis Synthesis of results

Quantitative approach Have you taken a research course in the last 5 years? Yes No Not sure On a scale of 1 to 7, rate your level of comfort in taking an introductory research course. 1----2----3----4----5----6----7 Not comfortable Very comfortable

Qualitative approach Describe how you are feeling about having to take this introductory research course. What do you most want to gain from this class? What have you heard from others about this class (not about me….just the class )?

Social Work Journals Journal of Evidence-based Social Work Research on Social Work Practice Social Work Research Journal of Qualitative Research Journal of Substance Abuse Journal of Aging and Health Journal of Children’s Health

What Social Issues/Problems are of Interest to You? www.campbellcollaboration.org First- what is a systematic review? What problem is being addressed? What is the conclusion of the study? What are the implications for practice? Policy? Research?

Moving Forward As we move forward: The lens in which you will use for this course: Evidence Based Practice Framework

Weekly Comments (to be typed up and submitted in class) In your own words, briefly describe your understanding of EBP? Based on the Pignotti article: Choose one of the following interventions/programs: DARE, Scared Straight Programs, Rebirthing, or Facilitated Communication for Autism. Provide brief description Identify if the program/intervention is supported or not supported empirically.