Class Descriptions

Research Basics for Social Work Practice

SW507

Credits:	1
Prerequisites:	None

Course Description

This course will provide students with an orientation to research, scientific inquiry, and the contribution of research in social work practice. The course will help students define research terminology, the social work ethical standards pertaining to research and evaluation, and the role of the researcher in social work practice. Students will understand the ethical, political and cultural context of research to inform micro, mezzo and macro social work. This course is not required for Advanced Standing students.

Objectives

Demonstrate how to search for and retrieve social work research studies to inform practice and navigate gaps in the evidence base (Essential 7; EPAS 4, 7, 9).
Demonstrate how to use social work practice experience and theories to inform the plan and implementation of a research data project (Essential 7; EPAS 4, 7, 9).
Develop a culturally appropriate quantitative or qualitative data collection protocol (Essential 44; EPAS 1, 5).
Demonstrate how to translate and report data results and other research-based insights to inform the improvement of social work practice on multiple levels (Essential 25, 27, 44, 45; EPAS, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8).
Describe how research can be used to combat racist, oppressive, and unjust practices and structures (Essential 25, 27, 44, 45; EPAS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8).

Design

This hybrid minicourse will make use of different methods to facilitate knowledge development: on-line lectures, discussions and practice exercises. This course is designed to increase students' comfort level with research methods and terminology to increase their appreciation for the relevance of research in social work practice.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.