Research is essential to social work practice. Through engaging in practice-informed research as advanced practitioners, we are able to continually develop evidence-based practices to ensure positive outcomes for the clients and communities that we serve. As an advanced practitioner, I have demonstrated this through consistent review of evidence-based practices pertaining to housing insecurity. Additionally, I have engaged in practice-informed research through a qualitative research study that assesses the impact and effectiveness of The Eviction Prevention Project. I strive to utilize the findings of this study to implement effective practice strategies with the clients I serve, in addition to informing policy implementation at the local, state, and federal levels.
4.1: Engage in a review of contemporary best practices
Course Evidence: For the final project in our advanced administration class, my group and I proposed a program that sought to combat food insecurity in Chattanooga through an innovative approach. As part of this proposal, I conducted a literature review that highlighted contemporary best practices regarding this issue and the gaps in service that remain unaddressed nationwide, such as the inclusion of fresh food options at local food pantries, access to adequate cooking utensils, and access to financial and food literacy training. Conclusions drawn from this literature review correlate with the approach of the program my group proposed. The literature review I wrote can be viewed here.
4.2: Conduct research that responds to social work practice needs
Field Evidence: While interning as a social worker with the Eviction Prevention Initiative, I began serving as a co-investigator on a small, qualitative research study that seeks to assess the impact and effectiveness of the Eviction Prevention Initiative, as well as the factors and implications pertaining to housing insecurity. Each professor I worked alongside allowed me to take the lead role in this study. I completed the literature review for the IRB, the grant applications, and conducted the majority of the interviews with tenants and court-watchers. The abstract and introduction of our research study can be viewed here.
Skills Present: The literature review I wrote for my group’s organization proposal demonstrates my professional writing skills as I was able to effectively synthesize and articulate information I gained through close examination of evidence-based practices that address food insecurity. I was given another opportunity to demonstrate professional writing skills when writing the abstract and introduction for the EPI qualitative research study, as well as exercise my critical thinking skills when assessing the impact and effectiveness of the EPI.
Knowledge Present: For the above practice behaviors, my knowledge gained through close review of evidence-based practices addressing food insecurity and housing instability is made evident. My knowledge of professional writing techniques is demonstrated through my ability to effectively synthesize and articulate the information obtained. My understanding of the format and necessary components of a formal research report are demonstrated through the construction of the abstract and introduction section of the research report.
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 forth into understanding and addressing food insecurity and housing instability. Additionally, I was able to incorporate the knowledge obtained from my research through ongoing work with clients at my practicum setting.
Cognitive Processes: I effectively organized (application domain) the information collected through an extensive review of best practices and summarized (application domain) the information obtained in the literature review of the organization proposal and in the abstract and introduction of the qualitative research report.
Affective Processes: I was able to discern (receiving domain) which information was most relevant to each issue I researched and successfully integrate (organization domain) this information to define (organization domain) each issue addressed and to compare (organization domain) and discuss (responding) evidence-based approaches.
Theoretical Foundation: The Van Restorff Effect contends that when multiple homogenous stimuli are presented, the stimuli that differs from the rest is most likely to be remembered. I have recalled this theory when analyzing research findings and conducting qualitative research; this approach has enabled me to synthesize distinct information obtained from exhaustive overviews of the literature and effectively organize the data collected from the qualitative research study.