UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO                                                                                                                                                                                                       Larry Bennett
JANE ADDAMS COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK                                                                                                                                                                                              4440 ECSW
(312)996-4577

4440 EPASW Bldg.

lwbenn@uic.edu

Social Work 592

SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH MODELS AND KNOWLEDGE BUILDING

Fall 2006

PREREQUISITES

Admission to Ph.D. program or consent of instructor.

DESCRIPTION

Social Work 592 is an introductory doctoral-level course that examines the functions and processes of research in social work, knowledge-building processes, and the contributions of multiple research models to the growth of knowledge for the profession. The course is intended to advance the development of scholarship that contributes to social, racial, and economic justice, consistent with the mission of the Jane Addams College of Social Work: to educate professional social workers, to develop knowledge, and to provide leadership in the development and implementation of policies and services on behalf of the poor, the oppressed, racial and ethnic minorities, and other at-risk urban populations.This course assumes familiarity with one of the basic social work research texts.

TEXTS

            Required

            APA Publication Manual, 5th edition, 2001.

Fortune, A. E., & Reid, W. J. (1999). Research in social work (3rd ed.). New York: Columbia.

Kirk, S. A., & Reid, W. J. (2002). Science and social work. New York: Columbia University Press

Padgett, D.K. (1998). Qualitative methods in social work research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

OBJECTIVES

1.         To increase students' knowledge of and ability to engage in the process of logical inquiry.

2.         To provide opportunities for students to apply this knowledge to the development of social work research by understanding how to formulate research questions, develop research designs, and critique empirical studies.

3.         To examine current trends in social work research.

4.         To familiarize students with the conceptual, operational, and technical strengths and limitations of social work research.

5.         To sensitize students to considerations of ethics, values, and justice in the conduct of social work research.

6.         To enhance students' awareness of potential distortions in the conduct and reporting of research including racial and gender bias.

7.         To foster students' commitment to building and strengthening the scientific and scholarly knowledge base of the profession.

EVALUATION - BASIS FOR GRADING

1.         Class participation: Participation requires on-time attendance, thoughtful consideration of assigned readings, and contributions to discussion. Students should be prepared to discuss the required readings each week, and how the material from the readings might apply to their chosen area of research. [20% of the grade]

2.         Critical analysis of a key research article. This article should be a research paper and related to the student’s chosen area of research. [20%]

3.         Midterm Examination [30%]

4.         Final Examination [30%]

STUDENTS NEEDING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DISABILITIES

Students needing accommodations for disability must do the following:

1.         Go to the UIC Office of Disability Services to obtain confidential verification of the disability and a statement of accommodations recommended by that office.

2.         Show the UIC Office of Disability Services accommodation letter to the instructor of the class for which the student requests accommodation. In the case of field instruction classes, the letter should be shown to the College field liaison or the Director of Field.

3.         Accommodation letters are to be shown to the instructor at the beginning of the course or before the start of the course.

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Session 1

8/29/06           Introduction to the course, the importance of social work research, and self-assessment of knowledge.

Readings

Research on Social Work Practice reviewer guidelines [HANDOUT]

Fortune & Reid: Chapter 1 Social work and research; Chapter 2 Generation of inquiry

Session 2

9/5/06             The nature of systematic inquiry, the relationship between practice and research, the context of social work research.

Readings

APA Manual

Fortune & Reid: Chapter 3, The context of research

Kirk & Reid: Chapter 1, Knowledge, science, and the profession of social work; Chapter 2, Science and social work: A historical perspective

Elze, D.E. (2002). Risk factors for internalizing and externalizing problems among gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents. Social Work Research, 26, 89-100. [BLACKBOARD]

Grogan-Kaylor, Andrew1 (2000). Who goes into kinship care? The relationship of child and family characteristics to placement into kinship foster care. Social Work Research, 24, 132-142. [BLACKBOARD]

Session 3

9/12/06           Major strategies for knowledge-building: Qualitative, Quantitative (Single-System and Group; Naturalistic and Experimental), and Conceptual

Readings

Fortune & Reid: Chapter 4, The dimensions of research design; Chapter 5, Naturalistic designs.

Slomin-Nevo, V., & Anson, Y. (1998). Evaluating practice: Does it improve treatment outcome? Social Work Research, 22, 66-74. [BLACKBOARD]

Zeira, A., & Rosen, A. (1999). Intermediate outcomes pursued by practitioners: A qualitative analysis. Social Work Research, 23,79-87. [BLACKBOARD]

Session 4

9/19/06           Ethics and social work research; use of human subjects; race, ethnic and gender bias and methodological issues.

Readings

Miles & Huberman: Chapter 11, Ethical issues in analysis

UIC Office for Protection of Research Subjects. Familiarize yourself with the OVCR web site at http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ovcr/research/protocolreview/irb. Then, from BLACKBOARD (or better yet, from the web site) download the (1) Instructions and (2) Social & Behavioral Sciences Application. Considering your budding research project, begin filling the form out.

Wakefield, J., & Stuart, K. (1997). What the practitioner knows versus what the client is told: Neglected dilemmas of informed consent in an account of single-system experimental designs. Journal of Social Work Education, 33, 275-291. [BLACKBOARD]

Sullivan, C.M., & Cain, D. (2004). Ethical and safety considerations whenobtaining information from or about battered women for researchpurposes. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 19, 603-618.[BLACKBOARD]Becker-Blease, K.A., & Freyd, J.J. (2006). Research participants telling the truth about their lives: The ethics of asking and not asking about abuse. American Psychologist, 61, 218-226. [BLACKBOARD]

Paradis, E. K. (2000). Feminist and community psychology ethics in research with homeless women. American Journal of Community Psychology, 28, 839-858. . [BLACKBOARD]

Boothroyd, R.A., & Best, K. (2003). Emotional reactions to research participation and the relationship to understanding of informed consent disclosure. Social Work Research, 27, 242-251. [BLACKBOARD]

Session 5

9/26/06           Intervention Research and Social Work Practice; Research with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transexual Persons.

                        Readings

Kirk and Reid: Chapter 3, Client problems as organizing foci for knowledge; Chapter 4, The scientific model in practice; Chapter 5, Engineering social work intervention; Chapter 6, Computer-assisted social work practice; Chapter 7, Research-based practice.

Gambrill, E. (1999). Evidence-based practice: an alternative to authority-based practice. Families in Society, 80,341-350.

Meezan, W., & Martin, J. I. (2003). Exploring current themes in research on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender populations. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 15(1/2), 1-14. [BLACKBOARD]

Martin, J. I., & Knox, J. (2000). Methodological and ethical issues in research on lesbians and gay men. Social Work Research, 24, 51-59. [BLACKBOARD]

McLellan, A.T., Hagan, T.A., Levine, M., Meyers, K., Gould, F. Bencivengo, M., Durell, J., & Jaffe, J. (1999). Does clinical case management improve outpatient addiction treatment. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 55, 91–103. [BLACKBOARD]

Session 6

10/13/06         Sampling in Quantitative Research

                        Readings

                        Fortune & Reid: Chapter 8: Sampling

Field, C.A., Caetano, R., & Nelson, S. (2004). Alcohol and violence related cognitive risk factors associated with the perpetration of intimate partner violence. Journal of Family Violence, 19, 249-253. [BLACKBOARD]

Ryan, J.P., Marsh, J.C., Testa, M.F., & Louderman, R. (2006). Integrating substance abuse treatment and child welfare services: Findings from the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Waiver Demonstration Social Work Research, 30, 95-107. [BLACKBOARD]

Watson, A.C., Corrigan, P.W., & Angell, B. (2005). What motivates public support for legally mandated mental health treatment? Social Work Research, 29, 87-94. [BLACKBOARD]

Hollingsworth, L.D. (2004). Child custody loss among women with persistent severe mental illness. Social Work Research, 28, 199-209 [BLACKBOARD]

Session 7

10/10/06         Measurement in Quantitative Research

                        Readings

                        Fortune & Reid: Chapter 9, Measurement     

Reed-Ashcraft, K., Kirk, R. S., & Fraser, M. W. (2001). The reliability and validity of the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale. Research on Social Work Practice, 11, 503-520. [BLACKBOARD]

Shin, H., & Abell, N. (1999). The homesickness and contentment scale: Developing a culturally sensitive measure of adjustment for Asians. Research on Social Work Practice, 9, 45-60 [BLACKBOARD]

Holden, G., Wade, Mitchell, H. Ewart, C., & Islam, S. (1998). Caretaker expectations and the management of pediatric asthma in the inner city: A scale development study. Social Work Research, 22(1): 51-59. [BLACKBOARD]

Comorbidity and Addictions Center, Washington University/ Measures Collection http://gwbweb.wustl.edu/Users/cac/measurescollection.htm (Just look at this web page)

Session 8 

10/17/06         Single-system designs and analysis of single-system data

                        Readings

                        Fortune & Reid: Chapter 6, Single-system experiments

Bradshaw, W. (1997). Evaluating cognitive-behavioral treatment of schizophrenia: Four single-case studies. Research on Social Work Practice, 7, 419-445 [BLACKBOARD].

Singer, J. (1996). Modified stress inoculation therapy treatment for an anxious client with multiple diagnoses. Available at: http://home.flash.net/~cooljazz/mssw/single_subject.htm

Nugent, W. R., Bruley, C., & Allen, P. (1998). The effects of aggression replacement training on antisocial behavior in a runaway shelter. Research on Social Work Practice, 8, 637-656. [BLACKBOARD]

Melidonis, G.G. & Bry, B.H. (1995). Effects of therapist exceptions questions on blaming and positive statements in families with adolescent behavior problems. Journal of Family Psychology, 9, 451-457. [BLACKBOARD]

Richey, C.A. & Hodges, V.G. (1992). Empirical support for the effectiveness of respite care in reducing caregiver burden: A single case analysis. Research on Social Work Practice, 2, 143-160. [BLACKBOARD]

Blythe, B.J. (1999). Evaluating the treatment of a sexually assaulted child. In C.W. LeCroy (Ed) Case studies in social work practice. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks-Cole.

Session 9

10/24/06         Midterm Examination

Session 10 

10/31/06         Group Quantitative Designs

                        Readings

                        Fortune & Reid: Chapter 7, Group experiments.

Ryan, J. P., Davis, R. K., & Yang, H. (2001). Reintegration services and the likelihood of adult imprisonment: A longitudinal study of adjudicated delinquents. Research on Social Work Practice, 11, 321-337. . [BLACKBOARD]

Walton, E., Fraser, M. W., Lewis, R. E., Pecora, P. J., & Walton, W. K. (1993). In-home family-focused reunification: An experimental study. Child Welfare, 72, 473-487. . [BLACKBOARD]

Fals-Stewart W (2003). The occurrence of partner physical aggression on days of alcohol consumption: A longitudinal diary study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 41–52.. [BLACKBOARD]

Kubiak, S. P., (2004). The effects of PTSD on treatment adherence, drug relapse, and criminal recidivism in a sample of incarcerated men and women. Research on Social Work Practice, 14, 424-433.[BLACKBOARD]

Session 11

11/7/06           Data Collection and Statistical analysis.

                        Readings

Fortune & Reid: Chapter 10, Data collection; Chapter 11, Quantitative data analysis

Ozawa, M. N. & Yat-sang, L. (1998). Marital status and change in income status 10 years after retirement. Social Work Research, 22, 116-128. . [BLACKBOARD]

Kost, K.A. & Smyth, N.J. (2002). Two strikes against them? Exploring the influence of a history of poverty and growing up in an alcoholic family on alcohol problems and income. Journal of Social Service Research, 28, 23-52. . [BLACKBOARD]

Williams, J. H., Stiffman, A. R., & O'Neal, J. L. (1998). Violence among urban African American youths: An analysis of environmental and behavioral risk factors. Social Work Research, 22, 3-13. . [BLACKBOARD]

Gibbs, L. (1989). Quality of study rating form: An instrument for synthesizing evaluation studies, Journal of Social Work Education, 25: 55-67

Session 12

11/14/06         Qualitative Designs

Readings

Fortune & Reid: Chapter 12, Qualitative research

Padgett: Ch 1–Introduction; Ch 2 The researcher as instrument; Ch 3 Getting Started; Ch 4: Ethical issues; Ch 5 Entering the field; Ch 6 Data collection

                        Riemer, F. (1997) Quick attachments to the workforce: An ethnographic analysis of a transition from welfare to low-wage jobs. Social Work Research, 21(4): 225-232. . [BLACKBOARD]

Davidson, L., Stayner, D.A., Lambert, S., Smith, P., & Sledge, W.H. (1997). Phenomenological and participatory research on schizophrenia: Recovering the person in theory and practice. Journal of Social Issues, 53, 767-784. [BLACKBOARD]

Session 13

11/21/06         Analysis of Qualitative Data

                        Readings

Miles & Huberman: Chapter 4, Early steps in analysis, Chapters 5 & 6 (Within-case displays); Chapters 7 & 8 (Cross-case displays); Chapter 9 (Matrixdisplays). 

Padgett: Ch 7 Data management; Ch 8 Rigor & relevance; Ch 9 Telling the story; Ch 10 Multimethod research

Sears, H.A., Byers, E.S., Whelan, J.J., Saint-Pierre, M. (2006). “If it hurts you, then it is not a joke”: Adolescents’ ideas about girls’ and boys’ use and experience of abusive behavior in dating relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 1191-1207. [BLACKBOARD]

Taylor, S (2006). Educating future practitioners of social work and law: Exploring the origins of inter-professional misunderstanding. Children and Youth Services Review, 28, 638– 653. [BLACKBOARD]

Humphreya, K.R., Turnbull,A.P., Turnbull, H.R. (2006). Impact of the Adoption and Safe Families Act on youth and their families: Perspectives of foster care providers, youth with emotional disorders, service providers, and judges. Children and Youth Services Review, 28, 113– 132. [BLACKBOARD]

Session 14

11/28/06         Conceptual Scholarship: Theory development, historical research, literature review, and meta-analysis.

Readings

Thyer, B. A. (Ed.). (2001). The handbook of social work research methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.: Chapter 21, Theory development (Turner);Chapter 22; Chapter 23, Literature reviews (Sowers, Ellis, & Meyer-Adams); & Chapter 24, Critical analysis (Epstein)

Reid, W. J, Kenaly, B. D., & Colvin, J. (2004). Do some interventions work better than others? A review of comparative social work experiments. Social Work Research, 28, 71-81. . [BLACKBOARD]

Babcock, J. C., Green, C. E. & Robie, C. (2004). Does batterers’ treatment work? A meta-analytic review of domestic violence treatment. Clinical Psychology Review, 23, 1023-1053. . [BLACKBOARD]

Shek, D.T.L., Tang, V.M.Y., & Han, X.Y. (2005). Evaluation of evaluation studies using qualitative research methods in the social work literature (1990-2003): Evidence that constitutes a wake-up call. . [BLACKBOARD]

Thyer, B. A. (Ed.). (2001). The handbook of social work research methods.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage: Chapter 28, Integrating qualitative and quantitativeresearch methods (Cowger & Menon)Miles & Huberman: Chapter 10, Making good sense: Drawing and verifyingconclusions

12/5/06           Programs of research, grants, publication, and dissemination of findings

                        Readings

Fortune & Reid: Appendix 2, Guidelines for preparing research reports

Kirk & Reid: Chapter8, Research dissemination and utilization; Chapter 9, Knowledge for practice: Issues and challenges

Research on Social Work Practice reviewer guidelines [HANDOUT]

Holosko, M.J. (2006). Suggested author’s checklist for submitting manuscripts tp Research on Social Work Practice. Research on Social Work Practice, 16, 449-454. [BLACKBOARD]

Miles & Huberman: Chapter12, Producing reports

12/12/06 

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

Berg, B.L. (2001). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (4th edition). Boston: Allyn & Bacon

Bloom, M., Fischer, J., & Orme, J. (2006). Evaluating practice: Guidelines for the accountable professional (5^th Edition.), Englewood Cliffs NJ: Prentice-Hall

Campbell, D.T. & Stanley, J.C. (1963). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research. Boston MA: Houghton Mifflin

Children’s Bureau of Southern California. (1997). Family assessment form: A practice-based approach to assessing family functioning. Washington, D.C.: Child Welfare League of America.

Constable, R., McDonald, S. & Flynn, J.P. (1999). School Social Work: Practice and Research Perspectives, 4^th ed., Chicago: Lyceum Press.

Cook, T. D., & Campbell, D. T. (1979). Quasi-experimentation: Design & analysis issues for field settings. Chicago: Rand McNally.

Corcoran, K. and Fischer, J. (2000). Measures for Clinical Practice : A Sourcebook : Couples, Families, and Children. New York: The Free Press.

Corcoran, K. and Fischer, J. (2000). Measures for Clinical Practice : A Sourcebook : Adults. New York: The Free Press.

Denzin, N.K. & Lincoln, Y.S. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Magura, S. & Moses, B. S. (1986). Outcome measures for child welfare services: Theory and applications. Washington D.C.: Child Welfare League of America.

Magura, S. & Moses, B. S., & Jones, M. (1987). Assessing risk and measuring change in families: The family risk scales. Washington D.C.: Child Welfare League of America

Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

McCroskey, J. & Meezan, W. (1997). Family preservation and family functioning. Washington, D.C.: Child Welfare League of America.

Nugent, W. R., Sieppert, J. D., & Hudson, W. W. (2001). Practice evaluation for the 21st Century. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Rossi, P. H., Freeman, H. E., & Lipsey, M. W. (1999). Evaluation: A systematic approach (6th ed.). Newburry Park, CA: Sage.

Royse, D, & Thyer, B. A., Padgett, D. K., & Logan, T. K. (2001). Program evaluation: An introduction (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998). Basics of Qualitative Research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Thyer, B. A. (Ed.). (2001). The handbook of social work research methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Tyson, K. (1995). New foundations for scientific social and behavioral research: The heuristic paradigm. Boston: Allyn & Bacon

York, R. O. (1998). Conducting Social Work Research. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.