Instructor: Laura Dreuth, LCSW, Ph.D.
Office Phone: 677-3614
Office Hours: MW 10:00-11:00, 12:00-1:00, and F 12:00-1:00
Office Location: Bradley Hall Rm. 123
E-mail: dreuth @bradley.bradley.edu

Required Text:

1. Rubin, Allen and Babbie, Earl. Research Methods for Social Work. Wadsworth Press. Belmont, California, 1997, Third Edition.
2. Katzer, Jeffrey, Kenneth Cook, and Wayne Crouch. Evaluating Information: A Guide for Users of Social Science Research. McGraw Hill. Boston, Mass. 1998.
3. Articles on reserve in Sociology Department, BR 128D.

Course Purpose and Description: This course will explore methods of research used in social work today. Students will learn to address practice issues systematically and analytically efforts within established limits of scientific inquiry. Students will learn both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. They will examine the use of the scientific approach to evaluate practice and programs with individuals, groups, organizations and communities. Learning methods will include lecture, class discussion, assigned readings, class projects, and examinations.

Course Objectives: At the end of this course, students will be expected to demonstrate competencies in the following areas:

Knowledge

1. Students will acquire a basic understanding of the relationship between social work research and practice.
2. Students will develop competencies in understanding professional social work research reports and articles.
3. Students will acquire the ability to evaluate casework through single systems designs.
4. Students will acquire the ability to evaluate a social welfare program in terms of efficient, effectiveness, and reliability.

Skills

1. develop operational definitions of goals;
2. partializing the change effort to enable ongoing evaluation to occur;
3. modifying goals and reconstructing when goals are unattainable;
4. using recognized research methods to evaluate treatment or program effectiveness;
5. increasing awareness of technology in practice and utilizing computer technology;
6. incorporating findings of consumers, providers and the public regarding goal attainment;
7. making efforts to anticipate unintended impacts of change efforts on various systems;
8. use of single-system and group design.

Values

1. Students will demonstrate a sensitivity to ethical, value and cultural issues in the application of social work research methods.
2. Students will be able to analyze in a non-judgmental manner social welfare issues and assess the strengths and limitations of people experiencing social problems.
3. Students will demonstrate an appreciation for professional ethics and recognition of each individual's right to self determination.

Learning Evaluation:

• Class Participation: 5 points. Preparation, attendance, and participation will be required throughout this course. Students will be expected to demonstrate respect for the opinions and ideas of others.
• Exams: 80 points. Four exams will be given throughout the semester with each worth 20 points. Exams will cover materials from assigned readings, class discussion, as well as application of ideas. The dates for these exams are included in the following class schedule.
• Homework: 20 points. Students are expected to complete homework assignments as assigned in class. Each assignment is due in class on the dates noted. No credit will be given for late assignments.
• Grades: Grades will be calculated using the following standard: A: 9-100 points; B: 80-89 points; C: 70-79 points; D: 60-69 points; F: below 60 points.

Class Schedule:

1. Week 1 (1/21-1/23): Introduction. Read: Katzer, et.al., Ch. 1. and Rubin & Babbie Prologue.
2. Week 2 (1/26-1/30): Theory and ethics. Read Rubin & Babbie Ch. 2 and 3.
3. Week 3 (2/2-2/6): Critical review of articles. Read: Rubin & Babbie Appendix A-C & Katzer Ch. 4-5. Bring the following articles to class: Gant, et.al., Hayden, et.al., and Kauffman, et.al.
4. Week 4 (2/9-2/11): Critical review of articles (continued). Bring the following articles to class: Kelley, et.al., and Morrow.
5. Exam 1: Friday 2/13
6. Week 5 (2/16-2/20): Qualitative Methods. Read Rubin & Babbie Ch. 12.
7. Week 6 (2/23-2/27): Operationalization and problem formulation. Read Rubin & Babbie Ch. 4 & 5 and Katzer Ch. 8.
8. Week 7 (3/2-3/6): Interviews and observations. Read Katzner Ch. 3.
9. Week 8 (3/9-3/13): Single subject design. Read Rubin & Babbie Ch. 10.
10. Exam 2: Friday 3/13
11. Week 9: Spring Break 3/16-3/20
12. Week 10 (3/23-3/27): Sampling logic. Read: Rubin & Babbie Ch. 8.
13. Week 11 (3/30-4/3): Survey research and random numbers. Rubin & Babbie Ch. 11.
14. Week 12 (4/6-4/10): Processing data. Read Rubin & Babbie Ch. 14.
15. Week 13 (4/13-4/17): Experimental design. Read Rubin & Babbie Ch. 9.
16. Exam 3 Friday 4/17
17. Week 14 (4/20-4/24): Causal inference. Read Rubin & Babbie Ch. 9 and Katzner Ch. 11-13.
18. Week 15 (4/27-5/1): Program evaluation. Read Rubin & Babbie Ch. 18.
19. Week 16 (5/4): Review.
20. Final Exam: Tuesday, May 12, 1998 from 9:00-11:00