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Research Problems

Select a human/social service organization, which can be where you are currently employed, or where you would have an interest in gaining future employment. You will use this organization and research problem as the basis of your final project.

Then, identify a social problem that is targeted by your selected organization. Examples of final projects are: program/service delivery design, program evaluation, quantitative or qualitative research on an issue in human service delivery, or other appropriate areas.

It is important to select your research problem carefully. The following considerations should be addressed in the assignment:

How do you know when you have a legitimate research problem?
How would you delineate the subparts of the social problem for your research project?

Based on your research problem, write a two-to-three page paper using a minimum of two scholarly sources. In your paper, describe the process of how you made these determinations, providing specific details of this process and how you would plan for such a research project. You will also provide your tentative research question(s) for your final project.

Your instructor will provide feedback on the research problem and the proposed research question which will serve as “approval” to proceed with the project.

Resources

Required Text

Leedy, P.D. & Ormrod, J.E. (2016). Practical research: Planning and design (11th ed.). Retrieved from https://redshelf.com

Chapter 1: The Nature and Tools of Research
Chapter 2: The Problem: The Heart of the Research Process
Chapter 3: Review of the Related Literature
Chapter 4: Planning Your Research Project
Chapter 5: Writing the Research Proposal

Netting, F.E., O’Conner, M.K., & Fauri, D.P. (2008). Comparative approaches to program planning (1st ed.). Retrieved from https://redshelf.com

Chapter 1: Differences between Lines and Circles (Planning Theory)
Chapter 2: Programs: Containers for Idea Implementation

Required References

Campbell, J. J. [drjasonjcampbell]. (2010, Mar 12). What is Program Evaluation? 1. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/8KO5ht0hpkk (Links to an external site.) Dr. Jason J. Campbell describes 10 key concepts relating to program evaluation in this video series. The first video is helpful for all students. Dr. Campbell identifies basic concepts important for program evaluators at any level.

Earnshaw, J.. [John Earnshaw]. (2011, October 31). What is research? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/BJhpQs82uR8 (Links to an external site.) This video describes the concept of research for graduate students. A particular emphasis is place on distinguishing between research retrieval versus researchers pursuing new knowledge and expanding knowledge. This video helps clarify expectations for the final research project.

Ostrowj1. [Ostrowj1]. (2009, September 30). Creating a Research Question. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/AIJDfS33IWw (Links to an external site.) This 3-minute video describes several pitfalls related to forming a research question. Recommendations are provided to assist students form appropriate research questions.

Recommended References

Campbell, J. J. [drjasonjcampbell]. (2010, Mar 12). What is Program Evaluation? 2. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/6MtiJQRni4s (Links to an external site.)

Campbell, J. J. [drjasonjcampbell]. (2010, Mar 12). What is Program Evaluation? 3. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Oc65kD0q8AE (Links to an external site.)

Campbell, J. J. [drjasonjcampbell]. (2010, Mar 12). What is Program Evaluation? 4. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/GbJKRUaCe4s (Links to an external site.)

Campbell, J. J. [drjasonjcampbell]. (2010, Mar 12). What is Program Evaluation? 5. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/vkE_YGxpBAY (Links to an external site.)

Campbell, J. J. [drjasonjcampbell]. (2010, Mar 12). What is Program Evaluation? 6. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/x0-6mvgLO4Q (Links to an external site.)

Campbell, J. J. [drjasonjcampbell]. (2010, Mar 12). What is Program Evaluation? 7. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/9WrQ_RwH62A (Links to an external site.)

Campbell, J. J. [drjasonjcampbell]. (2010, Mar 12). What is Program Evaluation? 8. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/5fxsPJRQpzk (Links to an external site.) Dr. Jason J. Campbell continues his description of key concepts relating to program evaluation in this video series. This series is helpful for students planning to use program evaluation for their Final Project and also those students who anticipate being responsible for conducting program evaluations in the field.

Centre for Social Work Research (CSWR). (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.uel.ac.uk/schools/cass/research/centre-for-social-work-research (Links to an external site.) Current research on a variety of social service topics can be found at this website. Many of the publications are available in full-text format as well. This is an excellent resource for Week 2 when completing your literature review.

Foundation Center. (n.d.). IssueLab: Collecting, Connecting, and Sharing Knowledge About Critical Social Issues. Retrieved from https://www.issuelab.org/ (Links to an external site.) This website offers files of numerous topics related to social services, with current statistics and issue briefs included as well. The files provide excellent examples of how to justify a social problem. This website is useful during Weeks 1 and 2 of the course. The examples are useful during completion of the Final Project.

Lamatic, M. (2011). Program Evaluation: Qualitative Methods And Techniques. Economy Transdisciplinarity Cognition (14)1, 197-203. Retrieved from ProQuest.

Malik, H.R. (2012). Scales for measurement of variables. Retrieved from: http://hafeezrm.hubpages.com/hub/Scales-for-measurement-of-variables# (Links to an external site.)

Social Work Policy Institute. (n.d.). Research: Why do We Need Social Work Research? Retrieved from http://www.socialworkpolicy.org/research (Links to an external site.) This website provides a wealth of resources related to various topics in the human services, including: evidence-based practices, childhood trauma, homelessness, diversity, and alcoholism. This is an excellent resource for the first two weeks of the course as you refine your topic and investigate previous research for your literature review.

What is Program Evaluation? A Beginner’s Guide. (2015, February 1). Retrieved from http://gsociology.icaap.org/methods/BasicguidesHandouts.html (Links to an external site.) These are basic guide handouts designed as introduction to evaluation for those without technical backgrounds.