RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT III
Explain how these methodologies are useful !!!!!!!!
(1)
Social Research Methods
A) Identify 3 social research methods used at your Agency
Surveys are manually passed out monthly to clients to complete regarding treatment modality and staff presentation and their professionalism and clarity of material.
Participant Observation- Clients are selected from each group and taken to a selected area by the Agency’s senior director of quality improvement and given a survey to complete concerning the quality of service. Their experience facility is documented to collect data on clients to implement treatment plan as a goal or objective to be completed law's arrest record helps determine treatment plan for legal needs
Field research -gathering data from the full range of community needs related to substance use disorder community’s environment concerning drugs addiction, prostitution, and homelessness.
Annual reports are design in a pamphlet format and via web called the Impact report -It provides the total number of women and children and family members provided services 6274 also 939 adults benefited from prevention services. 1,433 women benefited from treatment and recovery support services. 1,747 children benefited from prevention services. 361 women benefited from pregnant /postpartum intervention services 263 healthy babies born 97% maintain recovery from substances at 60 days post treatment follow up treatment services 95% continued engagement in ongoing recovery support programs and groups at 60 days post treatment follow-up 81% of clients of all programs discharged to stable housing support in revenue $11,824,604
Expenses $ 11, 862. 194 – (program services) substance use disorder services/integrated services /education /outreach/Management and General, Fundraising.
(See Attachment) 2 research studies!!!!!!!!!
(B)Two empirical Research Studies (Read Syllabus)
(C)What major instruments or system -CMBHS is a web-based software application for Clinical Management Behavior Health Service. All of the client’s personal information all psychosocial information and assessment are stored in this software. CMBHS case management treatment plan and screening, and client reports admissions /discharge status, assessments and client services by month. client tobacco use counselor case load, report drug court summary, financial eligibility for active clients, and progress note and psycho educational note detail.
(D)The CMBHS Clinical Management of Behavioral Health Services will be utilized by a social worker to assist the client in meeting their psychosocial needs such as employment stable housing Matt medicated assistant treatment meant to health treatment
(2) Analysis of Data
(See Attachment 2 research studies)
(3) Computer Usage
Social workers use computers to help compile data and keep accurate records of clients at Santa Maria. so that their duties are performed productively and effective, also adhere to legal stipulations such as privacy laws and HIPAA using computers also helped meet the needs of the clients.
(B) Limitations for Social Workers keeping up with passwords and changing passwords, also loss of data during inclement weather
**Computers are used to enhance service Increase your productivity. Connects you to the Internet. ...Can store enormous amounts of information. Beneficial for sorting and organize, and search for information.
4.Practical Applications of Research
(A)The scientific method made its way into the new world since the 17th century, it is still used today as it sets the standard for uncovering knowledge through investigation or inquiry of questions that relate to the problem at hand or to one that is projected (Reid, 2001). It defines one’s curiosity for adding to one’s expertise and dictates that there is sufficient truth towards the end resolve. A human service worker can build on this proficiency by conducting an inquiry under the principles of the scientific method. It assumes that problem solving concludes with the validity and credibility of scientific awareness. Scientific methods have proven to provide superiority where knowledge has evolved to be the most powerful induced form of investigation (Reid, 2001). Defining Scientific Method is congruent with the research of any topic, situation or world phenomenon (Rubin & Babbie, 2000). Although, the human service worker uses this method to uncover the specifics and ascertains the principles of the scientific method, assessing the client’s needs and acknowledging peer/family support.
(B)The concern is in the agency would be the percentage of clients that remain abstinence after treatment.
(C) How to help clients remain abstinent once they Leave recovery?
1. How to help clients remain abstinent once they Leave recovery.
What Research design I will use- would be Survey. Many clients have returned to the agency because they couldn’t stay sober!!!
2. How would you implement your study- I would pass out questionnaire to clients that has retuned to the facility at Santa Maria and allow them to fill it out. I would also have specific questions on there, that would help them stay sober once they leave.
3. How would you address issues of diversity and at-risk population.
4. What form of Statistical Analysis – Causal Analysis
(5) Generalist Application of Research –
A) Social work research addresses psychosocial problems, preventive interventions, treatment of acute and chronic conditions, and community, organizational, policy and administrative issues. Covering the lifespan, social work research may address clinical, services and policy issues. It benefits consumers, practitioners, policymakers, educators, and the general public by: •Examining prevention and intervention strategies for health and mental health, child welfare, aging, substance abuse, community development, managed care, housing, economic self-sufficiency, family well-being, and more.
• Studying the strengths, needs, and interrelationships of individuals, families, groups, neighborhoods, and social institutions.
• Providing evidence for improved service delivery and public policies.
Give TWO EXAMPLES
• Psychosocial assessment and intervention strategies for persons at risk of and living with cancer.
• Access to mental health services for youth in urban and rural settings • Depression among elders in long term care and home health care settings.
• HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention in urban communities.
Explain the significance of practice-informed research
and researched informed practice.!!!!!!
(Practice-Informed Research)
As a social work practitioner, I may recognize the need for further research to best help my clients. This may occur due to lack of research about particular struggles, populations, or interventions. It is important to utilize my practice experience to support any scientific inquiry. My practice experience will allow me to avoid certain biases or methods that could harm subjects or prevent effective, generalizable research findings. For example, if I have experience with the Latino population, I can avoid including potentially offensive phrases in my research as I understand their culture. Also, it may become apparent through practice that there is a lack of evidence-based interventions. I can utilize research to understand what practices have shown potential and their likelihood to apply them to the population(s) I engage with. Practice-informed research promotes more valid, acceptable research thus encouraging evidence-based practices.
Research-Informed Practice
To best serve my clients, it is essential to utilize evidence-based practice. By informing my practice with primary and secondary research, I can ensure the interventions used promote the best outcome for clients. Research, combined with practice experience and clients’ values, will provide evidence to support the use of certain interventions with particular populations. For instance, from previous experience I may be aware that there are often feelings of hopelessness associated with depression and anxiety; therefore, I can use secondary research to find the best intervention to alleviate those feelings for clients suffering from either or both mental illnesses. I cannot rely on practice experience and clients’ values alone. People’s understandings of certain populations and interventions are often changing as research continues to be conducted; thus, it is important to constantly be informed. My clients will rely on my knowledge and abilities to help them; therefore, I must remain informed about the most effective interventions for their individual case.
(6) Research Ethics
(A) Santa Maria collection of information is consistent with code (section 5.02)
(B) NASW code of ethics (section 4 and 5)
4. SOCIAL WORKERS’ ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES AS PROFESSIONALS
4.01 Competence (a) Social workers should accept responsibility or employment only on the basis of existing competence or the intention to acquire the necessary competence. (b) Social workers should strive to become and remain proficient in professional practice and the performance of professional functions. Social workers should critically examine and keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to social work. Social workers should routinely review the professional literature and participate in continuing education relevant to social work practice and social work ethics.
4.02 Discrimination Social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion, or mental or physical disability.
4.03 Private Conduct Social workers should not permit their private conduct to interfere with their ability to fulfill their professional responsibilities.
4.04 Dishonesty, Fraud, and Deception Social workers should not participate in, condone, or be associated with dishonesty, fraud, or deception.
4.05 Impairment (a) Social workers should not allow their own personal problems, psychosocial distress, legal problems, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties to interfere with their professional judgment and performance or to jeopardize the best interests of people for whom they have a professional responsibility. (b) Social workers whose personal problems, psychosocial distress, legal problems, substance abuse, or mental health difficulties interfere with their professional judgment and performance should immediately seek consultation and take appropriate remedial action by seeking professional help, making adjustments in workload, terminating practice, or taking any other steps necessary to protect clients and others.
4.06 Misrepresentation (a) Social workers should make clear distinctions between statements made and actions engaged in as a private individual and as a representative of the social work profession, a professional social work organization, or the social workers’ employing agency. (b) Social workers who speak on behalf of professional social work organizations should accurately represent the official and authorized positions of the organizations. (c) Social workers should ensure that their representations to clients, agencies, and the public of professional qualifications, credentials, education, competence, affiliations, services provided, or results to be achieved are accurate. Social workers should claim only those relevant professional credentials they actually possess and take steps to correct any inaccuracies or misrepresentations of their credentials by others.
4.07 Solicitations (a) Social workers should not engage in uninvited solicitation of potential clients who, because of their circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence, manipulation, or coercion. (b) Social workers should not engage in solicitation of testimonial endorsements (including solicitation of consent to use a client’s prior statement as a testimonial endorsement of their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence.
4.08 Acknowledging Credit (a) Social workers should take responsibility and credit, including authorship credit, only for work they have actually performed and to which they have contributed. (b) Social workers should honestly acknowledge the work of and the contributions made by others.
5. SOCIAL WORKERS’ ETHICAL RESPONSIBLITIES TO THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION
5.01 Integrity of the Profession (a) Social workers should work toward the maintenance and promotion of high standards of practice. (b) Social workers should uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge, and mission of the profession. Social workers should protect, enhance, and improve the integrity of the profession through appropriate study and research, active discussion, and responsible criticism of the profession. (c) Social workers should contribute time and professional expertise to activities that promote respect for the value, integrity, and competence of the social work profession. These activities may include teaching, research, consultation, service, legislative testimony, presentations in the community, and participation in their professional organizations. (d) Social workers should contribute to the knowledge base of social work and share with colleagues their knowledge related to practice, research, and ethics. Social workers should seek to contribute to the profession’s literature and to share their knowledge at professional meetings and conferences. (e) Social workers should act to prevent the unauthorized and unqualified practice of social work.
5.02 Evaluation and Research (a) Social workers should monitor and evaluate policies, the implementation of programs, and practice interventions. (b) Social workers should promote and facilitate evaluation and research to contribute to the development of knowledge. (c) Social workers should critically examine and keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to social work and fully use evaluation and research evidence in their professional practice. (d) Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should carefully consider possible consequences and should follow guidelines developed for the protection of evaluation and research participants. Appropriate institutional review boards should be consulted. (e) Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should obtain voluntary and written informed consent from participants, when appropriate, without any implied or actual deprivation or penalty for refusal to participate; without undue inducement to participate; and with due regard for participants’ well-being, privacy, and dignity. Informed consent should include information about the nature, extent, and duration of the participation requested and disclosure of the risks and benefits of participation in the research. (f) When evaluation or research participants are incapable of giving informed consent, social workers should provide an appropriate explanation to the participants, obtain the participants’ assent to the extent they are able, and obtain written consent from an appropriate proxy. (g) Social workers should never design or conduct evaluation or research that does not use consent procedures, such as certain forms of naturalistic observation and archival research, unless rigorous and responsible review of the research has found it to be justified because of its prospective scientific, educational, or applied value and unless equally effective alternative procedures that do not involve waiver of consent are not feasible. (h) Social workers should inform participants of their right to withdraw from evaluation and research at any time without penalty. (i) Social workers should take appropriate steps to ensure that participants in evaluation and research have access to appropriate supportive services. (j) Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should protect participants from unwarranted physical or mental distress, harm, danger, or deprivation. (k) Social workers engaged in the evaluation of services should discuss collected information only for professional purposes and only with people professionally concerned with this information. (l) Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should ensure the anonymity of confidentiality of participants and of the data obtained from them. Social workers should inform participants of any limits of confidentiality, the measures that will be taken to ensure confidentiality, and when any records containing research data will be destroyed. (m) Social workers who report evaluation and research results should protect participants’ confidentiality by omitting identifying information unless proper consent has been obtained authorizing disclosure. (n) Social workers should report evaluation and research findings accurately. They should not fabricate or falsify results and should take steps to correct any errors later found in published data using standard publication methods. (o) Social workers engaged in evaluation or research should be alert to and avoid conflicts of interest and dual relationships with participants, should inform participants when a real or potential conflict of interest arises, and should take steps to resolve the issue in a manner that makes participants’ interests primary. (p) Social workers should educate themselves, their students, and their colleagues about responsible research practices.