Time Schedule:
Jerry Finn
T SOCW 535
Tacoma Campus
Principles and procedures for evaluation of direct practice interventions, research methods involved in community needs assessment, program evaluation, and management-information systems.
Class description
This course is designed to build upon the knowledge, methods, and skills provided in the Foundation research course. The course focuses on the direct application of the analytical skills associated with developing and implementing evaluation designs for examining direct practice, programs and services for children, youth and families. Class participants will be provided with knowledge and skill related to the steps in conducting practice-based research including: project definition, measurement selection for diverse populations, data collection, computer-based data management, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and interpretation. Students will learn to critically assess evaluation methods from ethical, multicultural, and social justice perspectives.
Student learning goals
1. To identify the role of social work evaluation in providing professional social work services.
2. To develop skills in defining, measuring and conceptualizing issues in services to children, youth and families.
3. To introduce students to a variety of evaluation methodologies and the ethical considerations that accompany any research endeavor. This will include exposure to qualitative and quantitative methodologies and human subjects considerations.
4. To identify ways in which evaluation can perpetuate or counter oppression against vulnerable populations, including but not limited to people experiencing discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, age social class, and physical or mental ability.
5. To identify the potential limitations of evaluation methods and examine critically conclusions drawn from data in the practice setting and from the research literature.
6. To utilize SPSS to enter and analyze data, producing statistical information for interpretation.
General method of instruction
Lecture / Discussion / Computer lab
Recommended preparation
SW 505 Introduction to Social Welfare Research
Class assignments and grading
Complete a research project; write a paper based on the results; present project tot the class; statistical homework assignments.
50% Research Project 20% Class presentation 20% Homework 10% Participation
