Social Work Practice Research

Catalog description

This course will address a broad range of research methods, including quantitative and qualitative research designs as they relate to clinical practice. The content will be organized by reading studies considered "landmarks" in the study of clinical social work practice from the beginnings of the profession in the Progressive Era ("scientific charity"). These studies will be examined both for their findings and also for their methods of study (research designs). Since all MSW programs require the study of research, students will be refreshed in this knowledge by reading and critiquing these "exemplars" of such forms of study as the case study method, survey research, experiments and quasi-experiments, qualitative studies, single-system designs, and (currently) systematic reviews. There will be a module on statistical reasoning that precedes or is included in the course. Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to read and critique published research and will also learn about the nature of and findings from research on clinical social work practice, identifying areas promising for future study.