MASTER SYLLABUS

SOCIAL WORK 3810

Research Methods, Data Analysis, and Practice Evaluation I
(3 credit hours)
Instructor:
Mickey Sperlich, MA, MSW,
CPM
Class will be held at:
Macomb Community
College/The
University Center
44575 Garfield in Clinton
Township
Our room: UC2-202***
***Double-check our specific
room
assignment as posted in the
atriums of
the UC buildings and also at the
WSU
office located in UC1.

Email: mickeys@wayne.edu
Mail Box: 3rd Floor Thompson
Home
Wednesdays, 1/8/2014 to
4/16/2014
12:00pm- 2:45pm
Office Hours: Wednesdays,
immediately
following class or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Prereq: Junior standing, admission to BSW program. Descriptive research methods for social
work concepts and skills of problem formulation; research design; description and critical
analysis of research studies.

S.W. 3810 is the first of two courses that examine the basic concepts and methods of scientific
inquiry used to build knowledge and evaluate impact of social work policy and practice. Course
content includes (a) exploring the science of knowing, (b) understanding the steps in the research
process and their interrelationships, (c) selecting the most appropriate research design and
approaches used in social work research, (d) developing skills in problem formulation and
measurement, (e) evaluating social work literature for its applicability in informing social work
practice, and (f) critically examining ethical issues associated with conducting and applying
social work research with culturally diverse, disenfranchised, and at-risk populations. Specific
emphasis will be given to the use of practice knowledge to inform social work research and the
use of research findings to inform social work practice.
COURSE COMPETENCIES AND PRACTICE BEHAVIORS FOR THIS COURSE
COMPETENCIES
1. Identify as a social worker and conduct oneself accordingly
Practice Behaviors:
1E) engage in career-long learning
3. Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments
Practice Behaviors:
3A) distinguish, appraise and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including researchbased knowledge and practice wisdom
3B) analyze models of assessment, prevention, intervention and evaluation
4. Engage diversity and difference in practice
Practice Behaviors:
4D) view themselves as learners, and engage those with whom they work, as informants
6. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research
Practice Behaviors:
6A) use practice experience to inform scientific inquiry
6B) use research evidence to inform practice
10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups,
organizations, and communities
Practice Behaviors:
10D) EVALUATION: critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions