SOWK 385 Introduction to Research in Social Work

This course explores the philosophy, concepts, principles, and methods of empirical research in Social Work. Characteristic stages and formats of social research are reviewed, with the primary aim of developing beginning competence in the critical assessment of published research and the use of research methods in the field of Social Work. Emphasis will be on the development of an understanding of a scientific, analytic, and ethical approach to building knowledge for practice. Both quantitative and qualitative methods will be presented. There will also be a focus on developing a student's ability to use research methods for the purposes of evaluation in Social Work practice, programs, and policies. This course should be taken in the junior or senior year.