SW 303 - Introduction to Social Welfare Research

Units: 4
This course will examine the role of research, the logic of research, the stages of the research process, various types of research designs, techniques of data collection/analysis, and strategies for evaluating service delivery in social work practice.

Prerequisites: Social Work major. Successful completion of SW 300, SW 301, and SW 325W.
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground, or Hybrid, or Online-Synchronous.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Course Typically Offered: Spring ONLY

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the application of research and critical analysis to human behavior, practice, policy, and other areas of social work knowledge.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic language, concepts, and principles of both qualitative and quantitative social research.
Students will demonstrate an ability to identify and formulate problems in social welfare that are amenable to research.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of a variety of research designs and the internal and external validity issues associated with each, including group experimental designs, quasi-experimental designs, and single subject designs.
Students will demonstrate an ability to develop and evaluate research instruments and data collection procedures.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the levels of measurement, measurement validity and reliability.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the purpose and procedures of probability and non-probability methods of sampling.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the use of basic descriptive and inferential statistics and interpretation of the results.
Students will demonstrate an ability to analyze and communicate research methods in writing.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of political, ethical, and value issues at different stages in the research process and procedures used to help protect human subjects.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between human diversity and the research process and implications for interpretation and use of results.
In preparation for assuming a leadership role, students will demonstrate an ability to evaluate the quality and relevance of research studies and implications for national and international social welfare practice and policy.