SWK 490 - Practicum Seminar BSW Field Semester Research Project Instructions

Assignment Instructions

SWK 490 - Practicum Seminar

BSW Field Semester Research Project Instructions

Preparation for Your Study

Refresh your understanding of what constitutes acceptable research.

• Barker's Social Work Dictionary (1999) defines research as "systematic procedures used in seeking facts or principles" (p.410).

• Review the steps in the research process (Covered in SOC 344-Methods of Social Research)

• Decide if you will conduct a research study or do a research report

• Review and use research terminology in your paper.

• Review and summarize one or two journal articles.

Examples of Acceptable Research Activities for Students

Learning Objective: Use placement experience to evaluate a program activity

• Conduct a workshop, job fair, parenting class, etc.

• Administer a satisfaction survey

• Analyze the data

• Prepare a written report of the findings and attach a reference page.

Learning Objective: Use placement experience to formulate a scientific inquiry_ (research study)

• Topic: Effects of bullying on high school students

• Problem statement: There have been weekly complaints of bullying in gym classes at the high schools served by my practicum agency.

• Research question: "What are the psychological effects of bullying on high school students?"

• Describe your research design and attach a reference page.

Learning Objective: Use current research to inform practice (research report)

• Topic: Bullying of high school students

• Problem statement: There have been weekly complaints of bullying in gym classes at the high schools served by my practicum agency.

• Research question: "In studies of bullying prevention and intervention in high schools with similar demographics, if one group of high schools had no specific policy on bullying, while a second group had established very strict disciplinary policies and a third group had instituted disciplinary policies and educational programs, do the findings show group differences in the incidence of bullying following application of the intervention?"

• Prepare a written report of the findings and attach a reference page. or this assignment.