Research l: Research Design and Knowledge Generation

Catalog description

Logic and methods of scientific inquiry in the social sciences, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to social work research and practice. Philosophical assumptions, historical and cultural contexts, and ethical dilemmas that drive and inform the selection, structure and application of alternative research designs. Experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental design options will be considered. Inductive and deductive processes, hypothesis testing, probability and sampling, and analytic procedures appropriate to the different design options will be examined. Attention to using research to promote human rights and social justice will be explored.