Research
Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
“Social workers use practice experience to inform research, employ evidence-based interventions, evaluate their own practice, and use research findings to improve practice, policy, and social service delivery. Social workers comprehend quantitative and qualitative research and understand scientific and ethical approaches to building knowledge” – CSWE (2008)
Practice Behaviors
a. Engage in systematic review of contemporary best practice.
Learning evidenced by:
- Conducting a review of the literature on best practices of international service-learning programs in higher education.
- Writing article critiques, such as this reflection on the treatment of insomnia for patients with PTSD.
- Reviewing the literature and creating a powerpoint presentation on the negative effects of gender stereotypes in video games.
- Authoring a position paper on father absence.
- Extensively researching post-traumatic stress disorder in Vietnam war veterans, as seen in this reflection, this literature review, and this powerpoint.
b. Contribute to the knowledge base of the social work practice.
Learning evidenced by:
- Contributing to a peer support class which explains how to counsel police officers in times of stress such as shootings, death, and divorce. Law Enforcement Officers are the highest occupation for suicide: approximately 500 officers per year commit suicide in the U.S. Law enforcement officers are ranked number one in alcoholism. Many are involved in domestic abuse, and, unfortunately, many abuse controlled substances and other drugs. The traumas of law enforcement have their costs to the individual officer. Many of these men and women will seek outside counseling and it’s a population that has gone largely ignored in the past.
- Expanding on the literature review on best practices of international service-learning programs in higher education with a research study on the relationship between international service-learning and students’ attitudes, learning outcomes, and commitments to serve in the future.
- Creating a powerpoint educating emergency responders on the disaster cycle, preparing for and learning about a crisis scene and available resources, safety and security concerns, do’s and don’ts for making contact, and tips for working with interdisciplinary teams.