Syllabus
Master of Social Work
SSWO 504 – Social Work Research II — Spring B 2019
Credits - 3
Description
Research II (SSWO 504) builds upon the knowledge, methods, and skills provided in Research I. Students will continue to learn how to critically assess research from ethical, multicultural, and social justice perspectives particularly in the context of agency-based research and program evaluation. Students will conduct a research evaluation project. This includes 1) formulating a question, 2) designing and implementing a study, and 3) interpreting and presenting the study findings. An expectation is for students to collaborate with their field placement instructors, employers, or a community group with the aim of improving individual or community health (using the WHO definition).
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
School of Social Work Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the UNE SSWO will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and leadership in the following:
- Demonstrates ethical and professional behavior.
- Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Develop a research design appropriate to the student’s research question. PROGRAM OUTCOME 6. As measured by 1) DISCUSSION FORUMS and 2) FINAL COURSE ACTIVITY PAPER.
- Ethically and rigorously implement research design. PROGRAM OUTCOMES 4 & 6. As measured by 1) RESULTS CHAPTER 2) FINAL COURSE ACTIVITY PAPER and 3) DISCUSSION FORUM.
- Analyze data using SPSS or other statistical software. PROGRAM OUTCOME 6. As measured by 1) SPSS PRACTICAL EXERCISES and 2) RESULTS CHAPTER.
- Explain the importance of disseminating research findings and translating findings into action steps to address individual and community concerns. PROGRAM OUTCOMES 3 & 6. As measured by 1) DISCUSSION FORUMS and 2) WEEKLY REFLECTIVE JOURNALS.
- Explain how research and program evaluation informs and transforms social work practice. PROGRAM OUTCOME 6. As measured by DISCUSSION FORUMS, 2) WEEKLY REFLECTIVE JOURNALS, and 3) FINAL COURSE ACTIVITY PAPER.
Assignments
The following assignments will be graded:
- Discussions: Initial posts to discussion forums (both group and individual) are due by the close of Friday and responses to others in the forums are due by the close of Tuesday (except in week 8).
- Whole Class Discussion Forums: Provides the opportunity to present writing skills at the graduate and professional level, demonstrating the application of research concepts and skills. (graded)
- Small Group Discussion Forums: Provides a social gathering place for a small group to discuss broader concepts in the field of social work and research. The group forum experiences are designed to be engaging, lively, and serve as a place to practice professional conversation with colleagues/peers. (graded)
- Written Assignments: There are two written paper major assignments due in this course; the Results chapter in week 6 and the Final Course Activity Paper in week 8. (graded)
- SPSS Activities: There are 5 assignments due in this course that are solely focused on SPSS operation and quantitative data analysis. (graded)
- Weekly Journal Entry: The weekly journal entry offers a place to write reflectively about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the course on a weekly basis. (graded)
- Supplemental Instruction: Offers free, weekly live lecture and demonstrations of topics related to the weekly course content mostly focusing on statistics and analysis of data. Supplemental Instruction resources can be found in the SI Resources link on the left navigation menu in Blackboard. (ungraded)
Grading Policy
The School of Social Work uses the following grading system for all courses with the exception of field education courses. Students are expected to maintain a “B” (3.0) average over the course of their study. Students with less than a GPA of 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.0 in order to receive their Master’s Degree.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Point Value | Percentage Value |
|---|---|---|
| Discussion Questions (1 per week; 8 weeks) | 32 points x 8 = 256 points | 26% |
| Journal (1 per week; 8 weeks) | 15 points x 8 = 120 points | 12% |
| SPSS Practical Exercises (1 per week; 5 weeks) | 30 points x 5 = 150 points | 15% |
| Results Chapter | 164 points | 16% |
| Final Course Activity Paper | 310 points | 31% |
| Total | 1,000 points | 100% |
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: February 27, 2019 – April 21, 2019
Week 1: Data Collection | Dates: 2/27 – 3/5
Readings
- Chapters 15 and 16 (Rubin and Babbie 9th edition, 2017)
- Chapter 1 (Weinbach and Grinnell, 2015)
Videos
- (Video) Why you should love statistics (12:49 minutes)
- (Video) How to defend yourself against misleading statistics in the news (16:20 minutes)
- (Video) Entering Data into SPSS (22:40 minutes)
- (Video) Creating a survey in Survey Monkey (8:51 minutes)
- (Video) How to use Survey Monkey (5:24 minutes)
- (Video) Setting up variables in SPSS (4:56 minutes)
Other Resources
- Qualitative Research Methods Overview (Family Health International)
- Quantitative Research Methods Handout
- Choosing and Using Quantitative Research Methods and Tools PowerPoint
Discussions
- Whole Class Discussion Forum (Initial post due Friday, responses due Tuesday)
Assignments
- Purchase and install SPSS
- Reflective Journal (Due Tue)
- SPSS Practical Exercise (Due Tue)
- Submit your electronic survey link to the central website provided in your course announcements (Due Tue)
Week 2: Data Analysis | Dates: 3/6 – 3/12
Readings
- Chapters 20 and 21 (Rubin and Babbie 9th edition, 2017)
- Chapter 2 and 3 (Weinbach and Grinnell, 2015)
Videos
- (Video) Rapid Learning: Data Analysis and Probability – What is Data Analysis?
Other Resources
- Exploring Data: The Beast of Bias by Andy Field (PDF)
- Levels of measurement handout
- Chapter reading on Measurement (Sage Publications)
- Levels of measurement in psychological research
- Qualitative data analysis handout
- Analyzing Qualitative Data: With or Without Software
- Qualitative versus quantitative research handout
Discussions
- Small Group Discussion Forum (Initial post due Friday, responses due Tuesday)
Assignments
- Reflective Journal (Due Tue)
- SPSS Practical Exercise (Due Tue)
Week 3: Descriptive Statistics | Dates: 3/13 – 3/19
Readings
- Chapter 21 (Rubin & Babbie 9th Ed., 2017)
- Chapter 3 and 4 (Weinbach and Grinnell, 2015)
Videos
- (Video) SPSS for Beginners: Frequency Counts and Descriptive Statistics
- (Video) SPSS Descriptive Statistics
- (Video) [SPSS] Descriptive Statistics and Bar Charts
- (Video) SPSS: how to get mean, median, standard deviation, etc.
Other Resources
- Basic concepts in research and data analysis
Discussions
- Small Group Discussion (Initial post due Friday, responses due Tuesday)
Assignments
- Reflective Journal (Due Tue)
- SPSS Practical Exercises (Due Tue)
Week 4: Inferential Data Analysis (Bivariate t-Test) | Dates: 3/20 – 3/26
Readings
- Chapter 22 (Rubin and Babbie 9th Ed., 2017)
- Chapter 5, 6, and 7 (Weinbach and Grinnell, 2015)
Videos
- (Video) t-Test using SPSS
- (Video) One sample t-Test
- (Video) Independent Sample t-Test
- (Video) Independent Sample t-Tests in SPSS
- (Video) Paired Samples t-Test
Other Resources
- Comparing Two Means by Andy Field (PPT)
Discussions
- Whole Class Discussion (Initial post due Friday, responses due Tuesday)
Assignments
- Reflective Journal (Due Tue)
- SPSS Practical Exercise (Due Tue)
Week 5: Inferential Data Analysis (Bivariate Chi-Square) | Dates: 3/27 -4/2
Readings
- Chapter 22 (Rubin and Babbie 9th Ed., 2017)
- Chapter 8 (Weinbach and Grinnell, 2015)
Videos
- (Video) Chi-Square Test of Independence Example
- (Video) Chi-Square analysis on SPSS
- (Video) Interpreting the SPSS Output for a Chi-Square Analysis
Discussions
- Small Group Discussion (Initial post due Friday, responses due Tuesday)
Assignments
- Reflective Journal (Due Tue)
- SPSS Practical Exercise (Due Tue)
Week 6: Challenges and Considerations in Social Work Research | Dates: 4/3 – 4/9
Readings
- Chapter 6 (Rubin and Babbie 9th Ed., 2017)
- McDowell, T. & Fang, S. (2007). Feminist-informed critical multiculturalism. Journal of Family Issues, 28(4), 549-566.
- Shaw, I. (2002). Cutting edge issues in social work research. British Journal of Social Work, 33, 107-116.
Videos
- Optional TED: Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability
Discussions
- Whole Class Discussion (Initial post due Friday, responses due Tuesday)
Assignments
- Reflective Journal (Due Tue)
- Results Chapter (Due Tue)
Week 7: The Discussion Chapter and Dissemination of Results | Dates: 4/10 – 4/16
Readings
- Chapter 23 (Rubin and Babbie 9th edition, 2017)
- Apaitia-Vague, T. (2011). Social work and food: A discussion. Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work Review, 23(3), 63-70
Videos
- (Video) Tips for Writing the Discussion Chapter Perfectly
Discussions
- Whole Class Discussion (Initial post due Friday, responses due Tuesday)
Assignments
- Reflective Journal (Due Tue)
Week 8: Broader Society Research | Dates: 4/17 – 4/21 (short week)
Readings
- Chapters 23 (Rubin and Babbie 9th edition, 2017)
- Chapter 11 (Weinbach and Grinnell, 2015)
- Smeeton, N. & Goda, D. (2003). Conducting and presenting social work research: Some basic statistical considerations. British Journal of Social Work, 33(4), 567-573.
Discussions
- Small Group Discussion (Initial post due Friday, responses due Sunday)
Assignments
- Final Course Activity Paper (Due Fri)
- Reflective Journal (Due Sun)
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 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
8 week: 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.
16 week: 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 student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
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.