The course covers historical trends in social work research problems, hypothesis formulation, selection and testing of measurement strategies, and diverse research designs, including experimental, quasi-experimental, single subject, survey, and quantitative. The course provides conceptual understanding and skills necessary for selection of appropriate statistical procedures, computer computation of procedures, and appropriate interpretation of statistical measures. Content includes basic descriptive statistics through an introduction to the General Linear Model using multiple regression and correlation analysis. The course covers advanced hypothesis formulation development, selection and testing of measurement strategies in complex research designs, including experimental, quasi-experimental, single subject, survey, and quantitative design. Provides conceptual understanding of Ordinary Least Squares and logistic regression.
Students develop skills to do computer computation and interpret the statistics.
Students become skilled in using these techniques to analyze results of research designs used for social work research. Emphasis is on the relationship of data analysis and research design. Focus is on knowledge and theory construction, history of ideas, and knowledge-building in social work. Psychological and social science perspectives help students examine theory development in social work. Each student participates as part of a research team to design, carry out, analyze, and distribute a research project.