SWK 640 Signature Assessment: Applied Social Work Research Proposal Competency
SWK 640 Signature Assessment: Applied Social Work Research Proposal
Competency 4: Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
Advanced generalist social workers integrate quantitative and qualitative research methods in
practice to advance the science of social work, and to inform and evaluate practice. Advanced
generalist social workers utilize the principles of logic, scientific inquiry, and culturally informed,
ethical approaches to build knowledge. Advanced generalist social workers utilize evidence from
multi-disciplinary sources and multiple ways of knowing in practice and integrate research findings
into effective practice. Advanced generalist social workers:
· engage in scientific inquiry and research based on continuous learning, practice experience,
and theory;
· analyze research findings and apply these findings to inform and improve practice, policy,
and service delivery; and
· utilize ethical practices to apply research findings to practice and to develop research
evidence.
The Applied Social Work Research Proposal assignment utilizes a compilation of revised research
sections written throughout the course. Throughout the course, students have completed various
sections of a research proposal. Students are expected to review and incorporate feedback to build
a cohesive research proposal to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to engage in
scientific inquiry and analyze and apply research to practice.
Students will utilize the current edition APA style guidelines for this paper. All work should be
supported through the use of properly cited literature. The page length should be enough to
address and describe each section of the paper.
Problem & Objectives (level 1 heading)
Evidence Based Practice Based Intervention
· Clearly identify the Evidence Based Practice (EBP) intervention you are utilizing in this
proposal.
· Clearly identify and describe why this intervention is relevant to your study and identify
reasons for this assertion.
Proposal Objective(s)
· Clearly define the objective(s) of your proposed study.
Implications for Policy & Practice
· Clearly identify the specific implications of your proposed area of research for social
work practice and policy.
Literature Review (level 1 heading)
Overview
· Provide a brief overview of your literature review topic.
Search Process
· Describe how you searched for your scholarly articles (e.g.; how did you go about the
search process, what databases did you utilize, and which keywords were the most
effective).
Body
· Concisely summarize the key research findings you discovered via your literature
review. Make sure to cite each of your studies.
Conclusion
· Summarize what you learned from your literature review and how it influenced the
overall direction of your study.
References (This section should be located at the end of your paper.)
· Make sure to include a complete list of references at the end of the paper and use
accurate in-text citations throughout the body of your paper.
Conceptual Framework (level 1 heading)
Clearly identify your research question, hypothesis, variable, and operational definition(s). Note: it
is perfectly acceptable to only have one research question and hypothesis. In some cases, you may
have more than one. As a general rule, the more simple, straightforward, and focused you are with
your approach to the research study, the easier it will be to implement (and write-up). Make sure
to use the following headings:
· Research Question
· Hypothesis
· Variable
· Operational Definitions
Measurement (level 1 heading)
Description of Measurement Instrument
· Clearly describe the specific qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method measurement
instrument(s) you intend to use in your study.
Justification for using Measurement Instrument
· Also, provide a clear rationale for why you selected this measurement instrument (or
instruments) for your study. Use the following headers:
Study Participants & Sampling Plan (level 1 heading)
Participants
· Specify the participants in your research study including the population that you will be
gathering data from, the number of participants that you estimate will be included in the
study, as well as, your justification for selecting this number of individuals.
Criteria
· Clearly describe the inclusion and exclusion criteria you will use to select participants
and describe your rational for choosing these criteria.
Sampling Plan
· Identify the sampling plan you will use in the proposed study.
Recruitment & Retention
· Clearly describe your method for recruiting and retain participants.
Study Design and Data-Collection Methods (level 1 heading)
Data Collection
· Specify how you will collect the data for your study—including when, where, and by
whom will your data will be collected.
Qualifications of Researchers
· Describe the expertise and experience qualifications will you seek in your researchers
(specifically, those individuals who will be collecting data)–including how will you
recruit and train these individuals, and what will be done to avoid or minimize bias
amongst the people who collect data.
Feasibility
· Identify the feasibility issues that may need to be addressed in order to implement your
study (e.g., agency cooperation with your proposed procedures, recruiting participants,
the amount of time it will take for respondents to complete your instruments or
interviews, etc.)?
Data Analysis & Dissemination of Information (level 1 heading)
Data Analysis Plan
· Clearly describe your method for analyzing data.
Dissemination Plan
· Identify your plan for disseminating the results of your research that are appropriate for
the professional practice setting you have selected (e.g., presentations at agency
meetings attended by those whose practice or research can be guided by your findings,
publications, etc.)
Conclusion, Outcomes, & Contribution of the Study
· Provide a concluding statement where you clearly and succinctly summarize and
describe the ways in which this research proposal would contribute to the lives of
clients, the setting(s) where the research would take place, and the existing body of
applied social work research literature.
