Applied Research Methods: HSP 385
Instructor: Anne Blanchard
Course Description
An introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant to the human services profession. Includes an overview of research designs, analysis techniques, and methods of interpretation, dissemination, and application.
Course Description
An introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant to the human services profession. Includes an overview of research designs, analysis techniques, and methods of interpretation, dissemination, and application.
Learning Objectives
* Demonstrate skills for accessing and utilizing information for the purpose of research.
* Demonstrate understanding of systems theory as it relates to research.
* Demonstrate knowledge of integrating scholarly and professional materials in a HS research proposal.
* Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of various methodological approaches to research
* Demonstrate knowledge of client confidentiality and professional ethics.
* Demonstrate understanding of professional boundaries as they relate to both their endeavors as researchers and human services practitioners.
* Demonstrate knowledge of ethical standards in their research proposal by detailing ethical practices in data collection in their proposed methods
* Demonstrate understanding of systems theory as it relates to research.
* Demonstrate knowledge of integrating scholarly and professional materials in a HS research proposal.
* Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of various methodological approaches to research
* Demonstrate knowledge of client confidentiality and professional ethics.
* Demonstrate understanding of professional boundaries as they relate to both their endeavors as researchers and human services practitioners.
* Demonstrate knowledge of ethical standards in their research proposal by detailing ethical practices in data collection in their proposed methods
Assignment
Participation
If you are unable to attend our face-to-face class or to be on-line for a significant period, it is your responsibility to contact me, access and read missed (archived) Bb discussions, and complete all assignments when due. Missing more than one class will affect your grade.
Annotated Bibliography
Should be from two to four pages in length and include a minimum of eight articles (four of which must be research articles). An annotated bibliography is essentially a series of detailed summaries of published articles, which provides a brief overview of some representative current research on your research topic. All articles annotated should be related to your research problem/question.
Peer-Review Partners
All students are expected to work with a peer-review partner – someone with whom you will exchange papers and give and receive feedback. Partnerships can consist of two or more students in any configuration as long as each student both gives feedback and receives feedback on each section of the proposal before submitting the section to me.
Certification of Knowledge
The National Institute of Health (NIH) Office of Extramural Research provides an online tutorial on Protecting Human Research Participants. Students are required to complete the tutorial and test and to submit a copy of their certificate by or before the date indicated in the Weekly Schedule area of the syllabus. The tutorial can be accessed at: http://phrp.nihtraining.com/users/login.php
Review of literature
In the Review of Literature section of your research proposal you will cite at least six journalarticles. A minimum of four of your six journal articles should be research articles (meaning that the articles should be written by researchers who are reporting on their research). Make sure to include a reference section that includes a reference for each article cited.
Introduction
In the Introduction section of your research proposal you will include a statement of the problem (which identifies a problem, issue, or area of inquiry) and describe the purpose of your proposed study. The introduction also includes your research question, including an explanation of why it is important.
Methodology
In the Methods section of your research proposal you will identify your research approach, present your research design, and then describe your participants (and how you will solicit their participation), instrument(s), methods of data collection, and data analysis procedures (i.e., statistical and/or interpretive).
Feasibility
In the Feasibility section you will examine the feasibility of your research. What are the limitations? Are there any constraints? What biases or assumptions might affect the outcome of your research (either yours or those of the larger society)? What are the ethical considerations? What are the social, political, and economic implications of your proposed research? Who will benefit from the research? Who might be harmed by it? What individuals, organizations, or institutions will be interested in your research?
Appendices
Consent Form
Your consent form should describe your proposed study to prospective participants, and discuss issues of confidentiality, benefits, risks, and the voluntary nature of the study. This appendix should include contact information and signature lines (see sample on page 154 of Marlow).
Instrument
A minimum of one instrument should be included in as an appendix to your proposal. For example, if you are proposing an interview study, your interview questions should be attached as an appendix. If you are proposing a quantitative study that involves a testing instrument, attach either a copy of the test or a description of the test.
Research Proposal
After you have written and revised all elements of your proposal, construct the proposal in the order (title page, abstract, introduction, review of literature, methods, feasibility, reference, and appendices).
Presentations
Presentations will consist of post that briefly summarizes your proposed research with your final research proposal paper attached. In your presentation post, please also share how you experienced the process of writing a research proposal. Did you experience any unanticipated learning? Do you feel more equipped to read and utilize research in the future? Will you carry out your proposed research for a human services agency or organization? What did you find to be the most significant or meaningful aspects of this learning experience?
NIH Certificate
NIH Certificates can be scanned and e-mailed to me or sent to me.
If you are unable to attend our face-to-face class or to be on-line for a significant period, it is your responsibility to contact me, access and read missed (archived) Bb discussions, and complete all assignments when due. Missing more than one class will affect your grade.
Annotated Bibliography
Should be from two to four pages in length and include a minimum of eight articles (four of which must be research articles). An annotated bibliography is essentially a series of detailed summaries of published articles, which provides a brief overview of some representative current research on your research topic. All articles annotated should be related to your research problem/question.
Peer-Review Partners
All students are expected to work with a peer-review partner – someone with whom you will exchange papers and give and receive feedback. Partnerships can consist of two or more students in any configuration as long as each student both gives feedback and receives feedback on each section of the proposal before submitting the section to me.
Certification of Knowledge
The National Institute of Health (NIH) Office of Extramural Research provides an online tutorial on Protecting Human Research Participants. Students are required to complete the tutorial and test and to submit a copy of their certificate by or before the date indicated in the Weekly Schedule area of the syllabus. The tutorial can be accessed at: http://phrp.nihtraining.com/users/login.php
Review of literature
In the Review of Literature section of your research proposal you will cite at least six journalarticles. A minimum of four of your six journal articles should be research articles (meaning that the articles should be written by researchers who are reporting on their research). Make sure to include a reference section that includes a reference for each article cited.
Introduction
In the Introduction section of your research proposal you will include a statement of the problem (which identifies a problem, issue, or area of inquiry) and describe the purpose of your proposed study. The introduction also includes your research question, including an explanation of why it is important.
Methodology
In the Methods section of your research proposal you will identify your research approach, present your research design, and then describe your participants (and how you will solicit their participation), instrument(s), methods of data collection, and data analysis procedures (i.e., statistical and/or interpretive).
Feasibility
In the Feasibility section you will examine the feasibility of your research. What are the limitations? Are there any constraints? What biases or assumptions might affect the outcome of your research (either yours or those of the larger society)? What are the ethical considerations? What are the social, political, and economic implications of your proposed research? Who will benefit from the research? Who might be harmed by it? What individuals, organizations, or institutions will be interested in your research?
Appendices
Consent Form
Your consent form should describe your proposed study to prospective participants, and discuss issues of confidentiality, benefits, risks, and the voluntary nature of the study. This appendix should include contact information and signature lines (see sample on page 154 of Marlow).
Instrument
A minimum of one instrument should be included in as an appendix to your proposal. For example, if you are proposing an interview study, your interview questions should be attached as an appendix. If you are proposing a quantitative study that involves a testing instrument, attach either a copy of the test or a description of the test.
Research Proposal
After you have written and revised all elements of your proposal, construct the proposal in the order (title page, abstract, introduction, review of literature, methods, feasibility, reference, and appendices).
Presentations
Presentations will consist of post that briefly summarizes your proposed research with your final research proposal paper attached. In your presentation post, please also share how you experienced the process of writing a research proposal. Did you experience any unanticipated learning? Do you feel more equipped to read and utilize research in the future? Will you carry out your proposed research for a human services agency or organization? What did you find to be the most significant or meaningful aspects of this learning experience?
NIH Certificate
NIH Certificates can be scanned and e-mailed to me or sent to me.
Course Alignment with CSHSE National Standards
The standards below are taken from the National Standards of the Council for Standards in Human Service Education {for more info}. Standards are met in more than one course, but specifications may be met in only one course. Below are the specifications that have been designated for inclusion in this course.
#15 - The curriculum shall provide knowledge and skills in information management.
#19 - The program shall transmit the major human service education values and attitudes to students in order to promote understanding of human service ethics and their application in practice.
#15 - The curriculum shall provide knowledge and skills in information management.
#19 - The program shall transmit the major human service education values and attitudes to students in order to promote understanding of human service ethics and their application in practice.