Calumet College of St. Joseph

Research Methods for Human Services

Course Number: HSV 235

Instructor: Frances D. Wooley, MSW

E-mail: ICANN 2002 @aol.com

Home Phone: (219) 931-3316 Cell (219) 712-4680

Fax Phone: (219) 931-3316

Office Hours: I will available by appointment only on Tuesdays before class

This course will introduce students to a broad range of research methods essential for the professional human service provider. These will include: participant observation, survey design, interviewing skills, Internet and journal research, and empirical research design. Students will participate in a semester long research project. Field opportunities designed to develop mastery of a variety of research techniques will be an important component of this course.

Monette, D. R., Sullivan, T., J., Dejong, C., R., (1996) Applied Social Research Tool For

Royce, D., & Thyer, B., (1996), Program Evaluation An Introduction 3 ed. Chicago, IL.

Nelson-Hall Publisher

American Psychological Association (1995). Publication Manual of the American

1. To describe the basic concept and methods of social research.
2. To identify major trends, the methodological approaches employed, special problems encountered in the area of social work research
3. To recognizes the importance of evaluation of programs an practices with in the social work profession and the methodologies appropriate for this function
4. To enhances the student’ awareness of the menthological and substantive implication of minority group and gender basis and issues in social work research.

1. To develop the student’ capacity to identifly problems needing research inquiry and to design an appropriate research strategy to examine the problem.
2. To critically analyze research report from various fields of human services, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the reports and to extract usable knowledge for human service practice from them.

1. To critically analyze research report from various fields of human services, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the reports and to extract usable knowledge for human service practice from them.
2. Beginning skill in developing research strategies to answer questions of concern to the profession.
3. Beginning ability to evaluated human service practices with a client system.

Class Policy on Attendance and Class Participation: is 10% of your final grade: A maximum of 10 points toward the final grade will be awarded for class attendance and participation. Points will be awarded for quality of contributions in class, not quantity. Class attendance is mandatory because discussion will include material not necessarily found in the text chapters. When you are unable to attend class due to factors beyond your control, please let me know prior to class if at all possible. Regular attendance is a vital part of our contract with one another and plays a critical role in our ability to develop this class as a context for learning and growth. More than three absences will effect both your learning in this class and your grade- please talk to me so we can proactively address any challenges you may be facing. I will evaluate your class participation on the basis of class attendance, level of preparation demonstrated by asking questions, making comments, participation in group and class discussions.

Two in Class Presentation is 30% of your Final Grade- you are required to make two in-class presentations, reviewing research articles. The articles should be chosen from professional journals and should be adequate for the purpose of this course. In each presentation you should first summarize and critique the major components of the articles, including research questions, unit of analysis hypotheses, methods, findings, implications and your reaction. Each Presentation should not exceed 20 minutes and you must have a question and answer time.

1. Problem Statement
   1. Statement of the problem and its significance
   2. Specific objectives of proposed Research
   3. Review on the relevant literature
   4. Unit of Analysis
   5. Theoretical / concepts framework
   6. Major hypothesis or questions
   7. Operational definition of major concepts/ variable

II. Methods

1. Study design
2. Sampling
3. Data collection sources, methods, and instruments
4. Value and ethical consideration
   1. Study of bias and other analyses important to minority, cultural, ethnic, and racial groups, women, gay and lesbian persons and other oppressed populations
   2. Provisions for protection of human subjects

III. Limitations

IV. References

A: 100 - 90 points

B: 89 - 80 points

C: 79 - 70 points

D: 69 - 60 points

F: Below 60 points

All papers must be typewritten and double-spaced. Every paper must be readable or it will not be graded! The assignments have been provided in the handouts: please read each one carefully.

Participation is necessary in this class to receive an A. How active you are in class discussions will be taken into account when determining the final grade.

Session 5 Feb. 6: Research Design: Experimental, Distractive, and Exploratory

Monette et al., op.ct. Ch 7, " Survey Research" pp. 155-192; Ch 9 "Observation

Techniques," pp. 218-252; Ch 10, "Experimental Research," pp 252-284

Monette et al., op.ct., Ch 11, "Single Subject Design" pp. 285-317.

Royse, D., & Thyer, B., Ch 5, "Single System Research Designs" pp.107-129

Internet Use

Monette, op.cit, Ch 5 "The Process of Measurement" pp. 98-122.

Monette et al., op.cit, Review Ch.7, " Survey Research," pp. 155-192; and Ch 9,

"Observation Techniques," pp.218-215

Handouts

Review Ch. 11 In Monette, pp. 285-317

The Hudson Scale (Handout)

Monette et a., op.cit, Ch. 12 "Evaluation Research," pp. 318-344.

Royse, D., and Thyer, A., Chapter 3

Gambrill, E., D., and Butterfield, W., H., "Computers as Practice and Research

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.

Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., APA, only.). All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of St. Joseph library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. The Registrar must receive written request for withdrawal by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Program (DCP) students should consult the DCP Student Handbook for information on DCP withdrawals.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a

Course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see

Refund Schedule).

Class attendance is absolutely necessary at each class. Any missed class could result in the reduction of the final grade by one letter grade. If an emergency (vacations are not considered emergencies) should arise you must notify me before the scheduled class.

All assignments are to be typewritten and turned in on the scheduled class session. A student who wishes to rewrite a written assignment may so. They must request a rewrite and have a week to complete the rewrite.

8 sections 12.25 point per sections

7.14 point for each section X 14 sections