DSW Applied Research

Catalog description

This seminar course will guide students through an applied research process where they look to find practical solutions to challenges, gaps, or unmet needs in social work practice, leadership, and pedagogy while incorporating a social justice and racial equity lens. The course will examine a broad range of research methodologies in support of rigorous scientific study of a topical area of interest related to the students' clinical practice. As such, students will use the course to: 1) identify a suitable topic of interest, 2) develop a problem statement and conceptualize clear research questions within the topic, 3) establish a theoretical framework/conceptual model highlighting evidence-based approach to addressing the research questions, and 4) finally select appropriate methods. Students will work towards the development of two publishable papers. Students are also encouraged to consider topics of interest aligned with their Capstone Projects. Similarly, suitable topics may include a comprehensive literature review, the development, extension, or critique of relevant practice models or processes, a theoretical concept and its application to clinical practice, application or illustration of specific interventions, or a critical review of emerging approaches, pedagogy or training techniques and processes.