Competency 4: Research

It is important for social workers to understand quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as advance the methods used in social work practices. As an advanced social work practitioner, I will continually engage in reviews of recent best practices and evidence-based practices, and utilize those practices within my discipline. I will conduct research to evaluate the needs of individuals and communities, and respond to those needs appropriately. 

4.1 Engage in a review of contemporary best practices

Course Evidence: In my Advanced Administrative Practice Program Development class, I conducted a literature review on the opioid crisis. The literature review specifically outlined statistics of the opioid crisis, different treatment options, barriers to treatment, and solutions to those barriers. The treatment options and solutions to barriers to treatment were found to include best practices used by mental health specialists, primary care physicians, social workers, and other professionals. The literature review highlighted the need for better transportation options for individuals in substance abuse treatment, especially in rural areas. I used the cognitive domain analyzing by distinguishing between different issues within the opioid crisis and how they relate to each other. Opioid Crisis Literature Review

Field Evidence: In my personal research, I found several techniques and theories that could be used at Mending Arrow Ranch, including Equine-Based Mindfulness (EBM) which is the process of utilizing horses in correlation with mindfulness techniques. My task supervisor and I implemented many of the techniques outlined within the Dream Catchers program and Mindfulness Camp at the Ranch. To view more on EBM techniques used, view my Special Project or click here to view the article I used.

Additional Evidence: In my Mental Health Practice class, I researched and compiled a literature review on the benefits of social workers in outpatient healthcare settings. This literature review explores current healthcare issues with patient quality of care, coordination of care, physician satisfaction/retention rates, structural healthcare needs, and healthcare costs overall. It also explores the theoretical perspective of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and how implementing social workers in outpatient settings can help decrease the issues discussed. SW in Outpatient Healthcare Literature Review

4.2 Conduct research that responds to social work practice needs

Course Evidence: In my Advanced Administrative Practice Program Development class, I collaborated with my team to create a survey that evaluated the transportation needs for individuals who participated in treatment at substance abuse rehabilitation centers in Catoosa County. This survey would allow the team to determine whether a new transportation system for individuals in treatment programs would be beneficial and feasible. SATP Survey and Consent

Field Evidence: During my time at Mending Arrow Ranch, I assisted in expanding the Reading Warriors program for children with reading difficulties by drafting, editing, and submitting a grant proposal to United Way for the Venture Grant and to the Truist Foundation. When preparing these grant proposals, I researched the needs of clients the clients and the Ranch. These in-depth grant proposals included community needs assessments, other collaborative organizations, how the program will empower individuals/families, how clients have access to services, measurement of completion of the program, volunteer plans, how funding will increase capacity of the program, how changes will be measured, target population serviced, program outcomes, units of service, and budget expectations. I demonstrated the cognitive domain evaluation by defending and advocating for the needs of the Ranch when applying for grants to help support daily operations and expansion.
United Way Proposal
Truist Foundation Proposal

Additional Evidence: While obtaining my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, I developed and implemented a research analysis to compare changes in clients’ medical expenses, financial status, and agency response at the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF) as part of my final capstone project. I performed my research study by analyzing grant applicants’ case files from 2007 to 2017 to find the average income of clients, resources and sources of income used for households, average medical expenses, percentages of income spent on medical and household expenses, and percentage of total expenditures on medical and household expenses. The results of my study allowed FCIF to know the best financial assistance referrals to make for clients and to narrow down areas in the United States that clients may have the most financial need. It also allowed the agency to improve on policies and procedures in place to require staff to obtain environmental, cultural, and societal data from each client in order to develop a full person-in-environment perspective of each individual rather than a solely financial perspective. I demonstrated the cognitive domain synthesis by integrating data from several sources into my research to obtain a perspective on the needs of the agency. Capstone Final Paper