Required Readings

Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
Chapter 10, “Measurements Concepts and Issues” (pp. 223-245)
Chapter 11,” Methods for Acquiring Research Data” (pp. 246-275)
Chapter 12, “Data Collection Instruments” (pp. 277-294)

Windle, G., Bennett, K. M., & Noyes, J. (2011). A methodological review of resilience scales. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 9, 2-18.

Walker, K. E., & Arbreton, A. J. A. (2001). Working together to build Beacon Centers in San Francisco: Evaluation findings from 1998–2000. Philadelphia, PA: Public/Private Ventures. (see pp. 96-99 for measures). Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED464212.pdf
See pp. 96–99 for measures

Document: Tips When Evaluating Instruments 

Discussion 1: Methods of Measuring

The center point of research studies is the body of data collected to answer the research question. These data must be measured, which is the act of taking an abstract concept (e.g., depression, anger, etc.), sorting them out and quantifying them in some cohesive way in order to construct meaning—but how can you measure something that is not easily quantifiable?

Choosing an appropriate measurement tool requires consideration of a number of different issues including reliability, validity, appropriateness for use with a specific group or culture, availability, and potential cost. Sometimes, social workers will attempt to create their own set of questions to tap into or measure a concept. This may appear to be an easy thing to do; however, writing questions to measure a phenomenon is more challenging than it would seem. For example, how do we know it measures what we want it to measure?  In the first discussion this week, you will have the opportunity to create your own questions to measure a phenomenon of your interest. In the second discussion, you will compare the measure you created with an existing instrument that measures the same phenomenon.

To prepare: Choose one phenomenon or issue that a client may be dealing with (for example, depression, anxiety, or family conflict). Consider how you would evaluate the client’s progress in this area. Create questions with response options that would capture this phenomenon or client issue.

By Day 3

• Identify the phenomenon you would measure and explain how you conceptualize this phenomenon.
• Provide at least 3 questions you would use to measure this phenomenon and explain how these questions operationalize the phenomenon.
• Define reliability in 2-3 sentences and give one example of how you would establish reliability for the questions you created.
• Define validity in 2-3 sentences and give one example of how you would establish validity for the questions you created.
• Create a measurement plan to assess the phenomenon.
  • Describe the methodology you would use to collect data using your measurement tool (your method for acquiring this research data).
  • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of your choices.

Assignment: Evidence-Based Project, Part 4: Critical Appraisal of Research

Realtors rely on detailed property appraisals—conducted using appraisal tools—to assign market values to houses and other properties. These values are then presented to buyers and sellers to set prices and initiate offers.

Research appraisal is not that different. The critical appraisal process utilizes formal appraisal tools to assess the results of research to determine value to the context at hand. Evidence-based practitioners often present these findings to make the case for specific courses of action.

In this Assignment, you will use an appraisal tool to conduct a critical appraisal of published research. You will then present the results of your efforts.

To Prepare:

• Review the Resources and consider the importance of critically appraising research evidence.
• Reflect on the four peer-reviewed articles you selected in Module 2 and analyzed in Module 3.
• Review and download the Critical Appraisal Tool Worksheet Template provided in the Resources.

The Assignment (Evidence-Based Project)

Part 4A: Critical Appraisal of Research

Conduct a critical appraisal of the four peer-reviewed articles you selected and analyzed by completing the Evaluation Table within the Critical Appraisal Tool Worksheet Template.

Part 4B: Critical Appraisal of Research

Based on your appraisal, in a 1-2-page critical appraisal, suggest a best practice that emerges from the research you reviewed. Briefly explain the best practice, justifying your proposal with APA citations of the research.

Guidelines and Potential Topics for Research Paper

 

 

Performance and Scalability

• Future of the web, in terms of scale and architecture
• Architectures and approaches for highly scalable web applications
• Caching
• Comparative evaluation for performance, context, or platform

 

Web Application Components and Platforms

• Web browsers and possible extensions
• Web servers, application servers, etc
• New trends: languages, techniques, environments, etc.
• Infrastructure
• Improvement in application development tools, e.g., debugging – taxonomy of errors

 

Security and Privacy of Web Applications

• Web application security issues – nature of problems and vulnerabilities and possible causes
• Web application design for security – solutions for possible problems and potential security models
• Privacy issues (from technical perspective – not just ethical)
• Managing users

 

Web Standards

• Future standards
• Transforming current pages for compliance
• Accessibility standards and implementations
• Web Protocoles
• Security of web-based application (e.g., OWASP – Open Web Application Security Project)

 

Mobile and Ubiquitous Devices

• Models for ubiquitous platforms
• Software and hardware components for ubiquitous environment.
• Issues related to mobile-specific environment

 

Multimedia and Content Management Systems

• Modeling and representation, formats, processing, and display of multimedia content
• Content models and architectures, especially over the web
• Metadata related to the content
• Copyright protection techniques on the web

 

Web Search Process and strategies

• Web site design for search optimization (for traditional search engines)
• Web site SEO (search engine optimization)

 

Web Page Classification and Description

• Content based
• URL based
• Hybrid approaches
• Temporal dimension for dynamic and volatile content

 

Applications and Product Specific Topics

• Issues related to specific application and domains
• Product-specific related research

 

Internationalization and Localization

• Issues related to the internationalization, localization, or specific language issues
• Character encoding ,Unicode, and product support
• Impact on content harvesting and web mining

 

New Web-based business models

• Emerging new business models over the web (from technical perspective)
• Technical bottleneck for new business models

 

 

 

Competency

Create a research question for a study that will help fill a gap and provide benefits in a field.

Scenario

You are a first-year graduate student. You are taking a graduate course on research and writing. In this assignment, your professor has asked that you create a research question for a topic you are interested in and that you also perform an initial literature review.

Instructions

In a paper, do the following:

• Explain the research question you would like to pursue and why you chose it. It should be researchable, feasible to pursue in the time span of a school term, and of interest to you.
• Explain what type of research will be most appropriate to answer your research question.
• Perform a literature review to help identify how your research study will contribute to current knowledge about the topic. Include at least ten (10) scholarly sources from the last five years that are relevant to your research question. In your literature review, you should analyze the content of the articles reviewed, compare findings in different articles, and integrate the literature into an organized discussion.

Resources

For assistance on a writing literature review, please visit the Rasmussen College Answers page.

Library databases such as the following are great resources for this project:

• Health Sciences
  • CINAHL Plus
  • Health Sciences and Nursing via ProQuest
  • Medline
• Business
  • Business Source Complete
  • Business via ProQuest

Another database that you may be interested in knowing about is ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.  You can view original research, view research design, data gathering techniques, etc.

OSHA issued the Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Standard (PSM)
(29 CFR 1910.119) which contains requirements for the safe management of chemicals for
companies that exceed OSHA’s threshold quantities for highly hazardous substances. This
standard requires the establishment of a management program that includes conducting process
hazard analyses, establishing detailed operating procedures, and includes other important
requirements to mitigate the possibility of a serious, chemical related incident occurring at the
facility.
For this assignment, suppose you are a safety manager at a chemical manufacturing facility that
manufactures concentrated nitric acid. You have heard that employees who load nitric acid into
rail tank cars have been checking the pre-inspection checklist from the rail shipping office instead of actually inspecting the vehicles with the checklist in hand as required by the operating
procedure. This has not been the first time the shipping crew has been lax about process safety
related work rules. Based on this scenario, please compose a research paper which includes the
following information:
Identify the chemical properties, uses, and primary hazards associated with common oxidizers
including concentrated nitric acid.
Identify important occupational exposure limits (OELs) associated with at least 3 common
oxidizers.
Identify PSM requirements that would be useful for preventing or minimizing the consequences
of a significant oxidizer related incident.
Using the OSHA Standard and your own experience, justify and validate the importance of the
PSM standard to your facility (if it stores and processes highly hazardous materials) or a facility
that may impact your community or a near-by community. Examples might include a water
treatment facility that utilizes liquefied chlorine gas, a coal fired power plant that utilizes liquefied
chlorine gas for water treatment, a food processing plant with a large ammonia refrigeration
system, a fertilizer manufacturing or storage facility, a chemical manufacturing facility, etc..
Your research paper must be at least two pages in length. You are required to cite the OSHA
Standard 29 CFR 1910.119 in your response as well as at least two other sources, one of which
must come from the CSU Online Library. All sources used, including the textbook, must be
referenced. Paraphrased and/or quoted materials must have accompanying citations in APA
format.

Cognitive  The role of mental processes—perception, thinking, and memory—that underlie behavior  The student does not use effective learning strategies such as the SQ3R method.

Integrating Evidence from Research Name:

A good way to think about integrating any kind of research into your own paper is the analogy of planting a tree (from Mauk and Metz, The Composition of Everyday Life). When you plant a tree, you don’t just set the tree down on top of the grass and walk away. You dig a hole, preparing the earth for the tree by removing any large rocks or roots that are in the way. Then, you set the tree into the hole. Again, you don’t walk away to leave the tree to fend for itself in a hole. You connect the tree to the rest of the earth by backfilling the dirt, tamping it down, and watering the newly planted tree in the hopes that it will take root and flourish as part of the landscape.

When you work with research in your writing, you should make the same preparations. Writers use the following order to integrate their sources into their writing. Read these three elements and then review the examples below:
1. Introduce (dig hole & prepare soil): Prepare your paper for the piece of research by crafting an introduction or signal phrase that sets the tone or positions the research for readers. This is also a good time to consider what readers need to know or might want to know about the source, like where it’s from and what makes the source credible.
2. Add Source (set tree in hole): Insert the research by summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting, and cite it correctly in MLA style with quotation marks if it’s a direct quote and an in-text citation that corresponds to a works cited entry on your works cited page.
3. Comment (backfill, tamp, & water): Conclude the integration by commenting on the research, explaining it (if it’s a particularly dense piece of writing), connecting it to your main point, reacting to it if it’s particularly shocking or insightful, comparing it to other sources, or synthesizing it.

Here is an excerpt from Guernsey’s article on the effects of screen time on literacy (to read the full article, click on the title of the Works Cited entry below). See how this source has been integrated, or planted, into the following color-coded examples:

“As analysts and experts parse the data in the months and years to come, new twists may emerge. But the larger picture painted by today’s statistics is hard to miss: Media is embedded in children’s lives and dominating hours of their days, while reading is trailing behind. The next trick is to tease out what I call the Three C’s: the content, context and the individual child. What kinds of media — what TV shows, which online games? Who’s with them as they read and play, and how is that experience integrated into what they are learning or interested in? And what ages and dispositions of children are drawn to what kinds of media for what reasons? Until we can answer these questions, we will continue to be in the dark about the impact of media and its complicated connection to literacy among the next generation.”

Guernsey, Lisa. “Screen Time, Young Kids, and Literacy: New Data Begs Questions.” The Huffington Post, 25 Dec. 2011, www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-guernsey/kids-media-consumption_b_1029945.html. Accessed 28 May 2017.

Summary Example
In her Huffington Post article, “Screen Time, Young Kids and Literacy: New Data Begs Questions”, Lisa Guernsey, director of the Early Education Initiative at the New America Foundation, claims the evidence is clear on one point: children today spend far more time on screens than they do reading. In other words, we are raising a generation of people who will be computer and touchscreen literate. Will that be enough? After all, most tech devices today offer “read to you” applications. What is really lost if we are reading less than we have ever before?

Paraphrase Example
The trend in increased media time and decreased reading time is clear, but many questions remain about the effects of this trend. Lisa Guernsey, director of the Early Education initiative at the New America Foundation, suggests that exploring details about the study, like specific media used and links between a child’s media exposure and non-media activities will reveal much more about the way media effects literacy. We should also examine how media time is supervised or co-experienced, and how individual differences among children such as age or media preference impact literacy (Guernsey). Given Guernsey’s suggested questions at the end of her article, I am rethinking my role in refereeing media exposure and reading time in my own household with three young children. I decided to try to answer some of her questions for my own kindergartner’s media use.

Quotation Example
While the trend in increased media time and decreased reading time is clear, many questions remain about the effects of this trend, as Lisa Guernsey warns in her Huffington Post article, “Screen Time, Young Kids and Literacy: New Data Begs Questions”: “What kinds of media — what TV shows, which online games? Who’s with them as they read and play, and how is that experience integrated into what they are learning or interested in? And what ages and dispositions of children are drawn to what kinds of media for what reasons?” These questions force me to consider the answers in my own life as a parent of young children, and I am rethinking how I use our I-pad, the number of times each week all three of my kids are in front of the tv while I make dinner, and when reading competes with media in my household.

Integration Practice
Quote a section out of one of the sources you located for your own writing project. With the metaphor of planting a tree in mind, create an introduction before the quote and a comment after the quote:
Create an accurate works cited entry for this source:

Using one of your other sources, summarize a section you find interesting. Plant a tree using an introduction and comment:

Create an accurate works cited entry for this source:

Finally, plant a tree by paraphrasing a third source:

Create an accurate works cited entry for this source:

Reflection
How did your introduction or signal phrases differ as you moved from summary to paraphrase to quotation?

When are you more likely to use each of these integration strategies? Why?
Summary
Paraphrase
Quotation

How can you tell where the research ends, and where your comment begins in each of the examples you crafted above?

Describe your process for summarizing, and your process for paraphrasing information from a source. How do you ensure that you’re not plagiarizing?

1) Topic: Something important about the country

The  purpose of this assignment is to work on how to analyze a primary  source. Your goal is to analyze your source excerpt as deeply and as  thoroughly as possible. Do not simply provide a general summary or  overview of your source. Think concretely and critically about its  content, its historical context, the cultural values that shape it, and  its relevance to research you would like to conduct. What are the  author’s tone, style, and argument? What are its strengths and  weaknesses? Read between the lines to discover its biases and  assumptions.

In structuring your Primary Source Analysis Essay, you may address  the following questions. Do not simply list answers to the questions  below. Rather, you must write your paper in a short-essay form. It  should have an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each  student’s Primary Source Critical Analysis will be read out loud by your  instructors and workshopped in-class. We will address conduct and  courtesy for this process, accordingly.

Basic Identification

1. What type of source is it? (newspaper article, map, letter, film, etc.)

2. When was it created?

3. Where was it created?

4. Who created it?

Author’s Intent

1. What is the author’s place in society? (profession, status, class, gender, ethnicity, etc.)

2. How might the factors listed in the question above shape the author’s perspective in this source?

3. Why do you think the author created this source?

4. Does the author have an argument? If so, what is it?

5. Who is the intended audience for this source?

6. How might the intended audience shape the perspective of this source?

Historical Context

1. Under what specific historical circumstances was this source created?

2. What larger historical events, processes, or structures might have influenced this text?

3. Is this source consistent with what you know about the historical record from that time?

Content of the Source

1. What historical facts have you learned from this source?

2. What biases or other cultural factors might have shaped the message of this source?

3. How do the ideas and values in the source differ from the ideas and values of our time?

4. What historical perspectives are left out of this source?

5. What questions are left unanswered by this source?

Relevance of the Source

1. What research question are you using this source to answer?

2. How might this source confirm or contradict issues raised in other primary sources?

3. How might this source confirm or contradict issues raised in secondary sources?

4. Does this source represent any patterns with other primary sources?

1,250-word requirement. MLA format (including works cited).

2) PROPOSAL

For  the final paper, consider a contemporary problem and argue (1) that the  problem exists, (2) how to solve the problem, (3) that the solution is  feasible, and (4) that particular benefits accrue to relevant  stakeholders—paying particular attention to rhetorical scope, audience,  and logical organization.

You must cite and reference 3 library-based, peer-reviewed research sources for this project. Use Academic Onesearch, JSTOR, or another database through our library search function.  Do  not stop searching once you have found three research sources; find the  most appropriate sources for the assignment. You may use additional  high-quality sources once that minimum is met.

As with all papers in this course, we will be using proper MLA style,  which we will cover in detail in class. Please refer to Owl Purdue for  proper guidelines if extra reference is needed.

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.htmlLinks to an external site.

2,000-word minimum requirement

 

Rubric

Proposal      Proposal     Criteria Ratings        Pts              This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome  Content: Strength of analysis,  examples, and evidence = 50%             175.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome  Clarity Clarity, organization, and conciseness of writing = 35%             125.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome  Mechanics Grammar and Mechanics (including MLA format): 15%             50.0 pts
Total Points:                            350.0

3) REFLECTION FINAL

 

Looking  back at our writing and critiquing assignments, students will analyze  their writing progress in the course. Specifically, students will  identify strengths and areas of their writing that  needed improvement/how you improved, citing at least three examples from  previous papers. You may want to start your introduction by addressing  expectations of the course and writing history.

Note: You are allowed/required to write in first person (“I”). Try to keep it to a minimal, though.

As with all papers in this course, we will be using proper MLA style.  Please refer to Owl Purdue for proper guidelines if extra reference is  needed.

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

No sources are required for this assignment.

500 word minimum (roughly 2 pages double-spaced)

Write a research paper relevant to the key issues we will discuss in comparative politics. State the problem /issue and explain why it is important. Highlight some background information required to understand the direction and limits of the paper. Define any key concepts needed to understand the topic. use MLA and at least 5 references

Research Proposal Draft 

By the due date assigned write a 2-3-page paper addressing the sections below of the research proposal. 

Introduction 

• Background and Significance of the Problem 
• Statement of the Problem and Purpose of the Study

Research Questions, Hypothesis, and Variables with Operational Definitions

• Research Question
• Hypothesis: Research and Null
• Identifying and Defining Study Variables
• Operationalize Variables

Write a 5 page paper in APA format (not including the cover page and reference page).  There are several tools to aid you in the Student Resources. Please access the Essay Outline and the document titled: “How to do a problem based case study.” There is also an APA template for you to use for your assignments. There is another document titled: “Analysis, or Synthesis, or Critical Evaluation Course Workbook.” You will not need to turn that document in but it will help you in completing your weekly assignments as well as the Final Research Paper.  Note that you need to conduct additional research to complete this assignment.

Instructions:

More often than not, the relationship between HR and senior management is a contentious one.  HR is charged with enforcing certain rules and regulations that can slow down certain processes that management feels is needed to generate revenue.  In this case analysis, you find yourself as the newly hired HR director at the center of the storm.  Since taking over the role 6 months ago, the relationship between your department and top management has deteriorated to the point that a go between as been assigned to take messages back and forth. According to Niles (2013), there are 4 steps that can be taken to foster a winning relationship between HR and senior management. For this paper, list and discuss these four steps.  Then develop an action plan to use these steps to improve the relationship between your department and senior management. Be sure to list specific steps you will take.  Also, discuss if it is really necessary to have this type of relationship if everyone should act like professionals.

Your paper should be prepared as a Microsoft™ Word document, 5 pages in length. The document should be prepared consistent with the APA writing style (6th edition) and reflect higher level cognitive processing (analysis, synthesis and or evaluation).

You must have at least 2 scholarly references in addition to the textbook. You may also use one other reference (such as a government website or a professional publication or website). (Tip for searching the LIRN: Select the Subject Tab and select Health and Medical. Then use one of the sources such as “Health management Database” or Health & Medical” to conduct your search. Limit the search dates to articles after 2012 and preface your search parameters with “health care” before you put your weekly subjects in the search line. Check the boxes for peer reviewed articles and full text.) Consider whether any of your weekly research can be used in your final paper.

Choose one of the following terms for your research: Stakeholder, corporate citizenship, reputation, corporate governance, or executive compensation.

Your submission must include the following information in the following format:
DEFINITION: a brief definition of the key term followed by the APA reference for the term; this does not count in the word requirement.

SUMMARY: Summarize the article in your own words- this should be in the 150-200 word range. Be sure to note the article’s author, note their credentials and why we should put any weight behind his/her opinions, research or findings regarding the key term.

DISCUSSION: Using 300-350 words, write a brief discussion, in your own words of how the article relates to the selected chapter Key Term. A discussion is not rehashing what was already stated in the article, but the opportunity for you to add value by sharing your experiences, thoughts and opinions. This is the most important part of the assignment.

REFERENCES: All references must be listed at the bottom of the submission–in APA format. The article will be one source, but if you use others, please list them as well. No Plagarism please

To prepare for this Assignment: 

• Review the      Major Assignment 1: Developing a Research Topic for a Qualitative Study      Assignment Overview and Guidelines for proper formatting of your paper.
• Incorporate      your Instructor’s feedback from week 4 Parts 1 and 2 submission.       Please indicate the new material by highlighting the new or revised text      in Parts 1 and 2.
• Update      your Annotated Bibliography to include any new articles you have read      since Week 4 that would be appropriate to include.
• Continue      on to Part 3 and finalize this section for your final submission. Use the      Detailed Major Assignment 1 Guidelines to format your paper.

Part 3: Potential for Social Change

• Based on      your understanding of social change, write one paragraph to describe how      the results of your study might contribute to making a difference at a      local/community, regional, or national level.
• Finalize      your Annotated Bibliography. Use the Major Assignment 1: Developing a      Research Topic for a Qualitative Study Assignment Overview and Guidelines      for proper formatting of your paper.
• Finalize      your References section of your paper. Use the Major Assignment 1:      Developing a Research Topic for a Qualitative Study Assignment Overview      and Guidelines for proper formatting of your paper.

By Day 7

Submit Parts 1, 2, 3, the Annotated Bibliography, and the References section of your final Major Assignment 1: Developing a Research Topic for a Qualitative Research Study