METHODS OF SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH
Examine foundational principles and processes involved in social work research to promote critical consumption of research that informs generalist social work knowledge base and practice. Evaluate empirical research to apply concepts and grasp strengths and limitations of various research designs. Gain foundational skills to engage in research activities that support evidence-based social-work practice. Address how questions are transformed into basic and applied researchable questions and the various considerations pertaining to conceptualization, measurement, sampling, and implementation of various qualitative and quantitative research designs, with particular attention to evaluation of social work practice and programs. Review social science research paradigms that shape researchers' worldview and methods, ethics and professional conduct in social work research, and the use of research as a tool to promote social work values and achieve social justice aims.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: SOC WORK 205 , 206 , and junior standing; or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Summer 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Recognize the crucial role of empirical research and evaluation in informing and advancing social work practice. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Distinguish the various social work research paradigms that inform research assumptions, aims, and methods. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Interpret the ethical principles and regulatory standards for protecting human subjects that determine social work research practices. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Characterize how anti-oppressive and culturally sensitive practices and social-justice aims are embodied in social work research. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Critically appraise the strengths and limitations of different design options in social work research. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Select and apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods to address different research aims and study questions. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Critique empirical research literature with respect to its relevance, rigor, and generalizability for informing social work practice and policy. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 8. Summarize and critique evaluation efforts in a social service (field) agency Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Recognize the crucial role of empirical research and evaluation in informing and advancing social work practice. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Distinguish the various social work research paradigms that inform research assumptions, aims, and methods. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Interpret the ethical principles and regulatory standards for protecting human subjects that determine social work research practices. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Characterize how anti-oppressive and culturally sensitive practices and social-justice aims are embodied in social work research. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Critically appraise the strengths and limitations of different design options in social work research. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Select and apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods to address different research aims and study questions. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 7. Critique empirical research literature with respect to its relevance, rigor, and generalizability for informing social work practice and policy. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 8. Summarize and critique evaluation efforts in a social service (field) agency Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027