Syllabus
Doctorate in Social Work
DSW 810 Integrating Social Work Research and Practice I (Fall 2025)
Credits - 3
Description
This course explores what is qualitative research, when qualitative research is a good fit and how to conduct ethical and culturally responsive qualitative research. This includes how to develop a research question, choose appropriate methods and analyze data and write up one’s findings. An emphasis will be placed on creating equitable partnerships that encourage participatory processes that reflect a commitment to relational integrity, cultural humility, accountability, and trustworthiness. We will also speak to the importance of translating findings into meaningful action.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
By the end of this course, scholar-practitioners will be able to:
- Determine when qualitative research is appropriate.
- Apply federal regulations and the NASW Code of Ethics to qualitative research considerations.
- Demonstrate ethical and culturally responsive qualitative research practices.
- Advance an individual DSW-required research project using qualitative research principles.
Assignments
Discussion Boards (Weekly)
Each week includes targeted discussion board activities designed to:
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Build research questions (Weeks 1, 4, 5)
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Explore methods and sampling (Weeks 4–5)
- Interview Guide (Week 5)
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Reflect on interview experiences (Week 6)
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Analyze qualitative data (Weeks 7–9)
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Evaluate dissemination strategies (Week 10)
CITI Training Certificate (Week 2)
Students must complete the Social & Behavioral Research Investigators Course and submit a completion certificate to meet ethical research standards.
Reflective Journal Entries (Weeks 3 & 10)
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Week 3: Reflect on the alignment between the CITI training, NASW Code of Ethics, and culturally responsive practices.
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Week 10: Outline a dissemination plan for their own research project, including audiences, goals, strategies, and ethical considerations.
Partner & Group Work (Weeks 3, 6, 8)
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Week 3: Paired discussion on culturally responsive research and ethical considerations.
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Week 6: Conduct and transcribe peer interviews using a collaboratively developed guide.
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Week 8: Reconcile group coding differences and identify provisional themes in a group data analysis project.
Thematic Analysis Project Using Dedoose (Weeks 7–8)
Students individually code transcripts using Dedoose in Week 7, then meet in small groups to compare and synthesize findings in Week 8.
AI & Qualitative Research Exploration (Week 9)
Students replicate AI-assisted coding using ChatGPT, compare the results with those from Dedoose, and discuss the ethical and methodological implications of AI in research.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment/Activity | Points |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement | 2 points |
| Weekly Discussions | 53 points (7 at 2 pts each, 1 at 12 pts, 1 at 15 pts, 1 at 5 points, and 1 at 7 points) |
| Reflection Journals | 20 points (2 at 10 pts each) |
| Week 2: CITI Training | 15 points |
| Week 6 Assignment: Interprofessional Leadership Interview Project | 10 points |
| Total | 100 points |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Dates
Fall AB Session Dates: 8/27/2025 – 12/12/2025
Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Sunday
Week 8: Monday – Sunday
Week 9: Monday – Sunday
Week 10: Monday – Sunday
The first week is a short week, begins on Wednesday and ends on Sunday. Each week after will start on Monday and end on Sunday.
Week 1: Overview of Qualitative Research
Quiz
- Acknowledgement of Academic Engagement
Discussions
- Video Introduction
- Areas of Interest
Week 2: Research Ethics
Assignments
- CITI Training
Week 3: Research Ethics & Culturally Responsive Research Practices
Discussions
- Culturally Responsive Research
Assignments
- Journal Reflection on Ethical Research Practices
Week 4: Qualitative Research Methods – Part 1
Discussions
- Research Question and Methods
Week 5: Qualitative Research Methods – Part 2
Discussions
- Interview/Focus Group Questions and Study Sample
- Interview Guide
Week 6: Qualitative Research Methods – Part 3
Discussions
- Interview Transcripts and Reflections
Assignments
- Interprofessional Leadership Interview Project
Week 7: Thematic Analysis and Dedoose – Part 1
Assignments
- Dedoose Thematic Analysis Assignment – Part 1
Week 8: Thematic Analysis and Dedoose – Part 2
Discussions
- Dedoose
Week 9: Artificial Intelligence
Discussion
- Reflecting on Qualitative Research and Creative Dissemination
Assignment
- Drafting Your Dissemination Vision
Week 10: Dissemination
Discussion
- Reflecting on Qualitative Research and Creative Dissemination
Assignments
- Drafting Your Dissemination Vision
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Social Work page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Social Work Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/social-work/
- Library Tutorial: Find an article
- Video Tutorials: https://library.une.edu/research-help/guides-tutorials/video-tutorials/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Essential Academic and Technical Standards
Please review the essential academic and technical standards of the University of New England School Social Work (SSW): https://online.une.edu/social-work/academic-and-technical-standards-une-online-ssw/
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Confidentiality Statement
Student and faculty participation in this course will be governed by standards in the NASW Code of Ethics relating to confidentiality in sharing information from their placement sites and practice experiences. Students should be aware that personal information they choose to share in class, class assignments or conversations with faculty does not have the status of privileged information.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Attendance Policy
6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.