Practice Behaviors:
4.1: Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research.
4.2: Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings.
4.3: Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.
Competency 4 Narrative:
Research is essential to social work as it enables social workers to apply evidence-based practices that will ensure the best outcomes for the clients that we serve. As a competent social worker, I understand the process of translating research findings into effective practice as well as the crucial role that research plays in advancing the social work profession.
Evidence 1 (Field):
While interning with the Department of Children’s Services, I completed a program needs assessment under supervision of my field instructor and recognized an underserved population: children with developmental disabilities, particularly children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. At the conclusion of my internship, I presented and explained evidence-based practices on how to effectively communicate with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder to DCS caseworkers. Analysis of both quantitative and qualitative research data was incorporated into my final presentation, which included general tips on communication as well as specific tips for child protection investigators. The powerpoint utilized during my presentation can be viewed here
Evidence 2 (Class):
Although America has made unprecedented progress towards equality for LGBT individuals, members of the LGBT community still face widespread discrimination. A sub-community within this population that is often overlooked is the aging LGBT population. For my Aging and Society class, I wrote a literature review that explored the concerns specific to LGBT elders as well as potential solutions to ensure that elderly members of the LGBT population are given the chance to age successfully. This paper can be accessed here
Evidence 3 (Additional):
At the Department of Children’s Services, the struggles faced by many of the families I serve stem from poverty. This realization inspired me to research the cycle of poverty to translate these findings into steps my agency can take to combat this issue. I knew that in order to fully understand the cycle of poverty, I must first recognize each contributing factor. After reading “Evicted”, an ethnographic study of impoverished tenants living in low-income housing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I realized a crucial component of poverty remains absent from the poverty discussion: housing. I wrote an extensive review of this book and shared the knowledge I obtained with my field instructor. The review I wrote can be accessed here .
Skills Used: For each of the aforementioned practice behaviors, I demonstrated competency through writing skills, as I was able to effectively articulate the knowledge I obtained. Additionally, I demonstrated communication skills through discussion and presentation of the topics I researched.
Knowledge Used: I utilized writing skills obtained from the various writing courses I’ve taken, notably English Composition I and II, American Literature, Human Behavior and the Social Environment, and Research Methods.
Values Present: Through each practice behavior, I demonstrated the social work values of social justice and competency. Each value was made evident through my chosen research topics and the effort I put into understanding the issues I chose. Additionally, I was able to incorporate the knowledge obtained from my research through practice at my practicum agency.
Cognitive Processes Used: For the aforementioned practice behaviors, I effectively organized (application domain) my findings from the research I pursued and applied (application domain) it to various situations and interactions with clients.
Affective Processes Used: I valued (valuing domain) the knowledge I obtained from my research findings and was able to successfully integrate (organization domain) this knowledge to inform and improve social work practice and policy.
Theoretical Foundation: The Van Restorff Effect predicts that when multiple homogenous stimuli are presented, the stimuli that differs from the rest is most likely to be remembered. I have utilized this when analyzing quantitative and qualitative research findings relative to the social work profession, enabling me to recall the information presented and continually apply it to social work practice.