All rewrites and final papers must be completed by the last day of classes.

Short papers

The purpose of this assignment relates to reflection on the reading and class discussions. These papers will be useful in shaping your understanding of research and evaluation while also drawing upon your critical analytical abilities. You will need to operate at two levels, a general content level that reveals your understanding of advanced level material and then a second level in which you stand back from your writing and subject it to critical review. In this way you will develop a meta cognitive style of thinking alternatively demonstrating an understanding of the material while subjecting it to critical examination. These are thinking skills that are necessary for an advanced level of practice.

Paper 1

Identify a research question which is related to your concentration area/field practice. Discuss the question in relationship to the many ways of knowing perspective in the Fraser, et al, Hartman articles and the way the research question addresses the criteria outlined by Witkin (1993). 4-6 pages.

Paper 2

Conduct a selective literature review related to your research question. Identify your research question and then discuss at least five different articles which address the same or closely related research question. Describe the methodologies used, conclusions and relationship to your research question. In particular, describe the differences between your conceptualization of the research question and the framework used by the different authors. 5-7 pages.

Paper 3

Design a study to address your research question using a positivist, post-positivist or constructionist approach. Discuss how you would study the research question from one of these frameworks. Why did you choose this method? Why is it "superior to the others? What do you think it will tell you? What won't it tell you? How does this type of study relate to your values and what you consider as "research"? How much do you think the method will tell you about the social phenomenon in question? 5-7 pages.

Paper 4

Critique the study you proposed in Paper 3 with one of the other perspectives. For instance, if you proposed a quantitative survey for your research question, describe how a case study or feminist research approach might be adopted. What does a change in the paradigm or method do -to how we understand the phenomenon of interest? How does it affect your study and your personal biases? What practical difficulties may arise? Specify any ethical or values issues arising from doing either type of research. 5-7 pages.

Paper 5

You will be asked to keep a log as field researchers do to record your own observations and "take" on the research process. What does it mean to you to be a "research worker"? What is the -"craft" of research all about? Could you be a "researcher"? If so how do you envision it ? What would like to learn more about? Report on any vigneffes or stories that illustrate the meaning of research work to you. 4-5 pages.

Part II

Project participation and presentation

Join one of the seven research study teams relating to seven different research and evaluation projects identified in class. Participate with the team in design of a study, consideration of ethical issues, ability to adequately address the research question(s), collect data (if possible), and analyze the data. Evaluate the studyl evaluation by critically reflecting on the use of certain methodologies to find the "truth" about a social phenomenon. Identify salient issues for social workers. How do the "sponsors view of the "world" affect the methods and paradigm chosen? How is the voice and stories of clients to be heard? Or not? And would you do this type of study again? If not why not? Further criteria will be given in class.

Project paper

Write a short paper describing your findings. Pretend it is an "executive summary" being sent to a Commissioner or Executive Director of a funding sponsor. It should be concise (4-5 pages). Discuss what problems and difficulties you had in carrying out the study. Recommend additional assistance you may need to continue the study (ifyou think it should be continued). Cite any references from class or supplementary readings to support your case that this research was worthwhile and produced valuable findings. Use APA style.

Project presentation

You will be asked to select a date in class to report on your project to date. You will present with your other teammates. An outline will be given later in class to guide you. This will be part of a group grade. Remember you need to divide up the tasks so that equivalent work is done by all project members.

Grading

Re-writes may be allowed if time permits. If given permission for a re-write the last date due is Thursday, December 18.

Regarding in completes, please remember that it is the policy of the Graduate College that In completes may be granted in highly exceptional cases only. It may not be used as an extension. When an Incomplete is granted, it must be completed within the time frame negotiated between the instructor and the student.

Shortpaper -50%

Project paper - 25%

Project presentation (group grade) - 25 %