Socw 6301

Integration of the Research Process

Throughout this course, you have been asked to consider how research leads to evidence-based practice. This week is intended to provide an opportunity to review the entire research process from initial questions to the final research study. This week, your Discussion will ask each of you to collaborate in evaluating a research study that could have been used to determine the processes, outcomes, and effectiveness of the program described in the assigned article.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze steps involved in designing a research study
• Create a plan for designing a research study evaluation

Photo Credit: laflor / Vetta / Getty Images

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Poitier, V. L., Niliwaambieni, M., & Rowe, C. L. (1997). A rite of passage approach designed to preserve the families of substance-abusing African American women. Child Welfare, 76(1), 173–195.
Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Discussion: Integrating the Research Process

About 15 years ago, before evidence-based practice became a standard to which to aspire, a professor found an article describing a treatment program for substance-abusing African-American women that incorporated their children and aimed to preserve their families. The program was built around principles of African-centered theory. The professor thought the program appeared well designed and heartily urged students to study the article and possibly find ways to imitate the program ideas, if not the program itself. A few years later, the professor, having continued her education, especially in the area of research, searched for a follow-up on the program, perhaps reporting outcomes and evidence of effectiveness. No research evidence on the program appears in the scholarly journals. In fact, no evidence that the program continues to exist at this time has been found. The fact that what appeared to be a promising practice approach did not endure or have the opportunity to benefit from evaluation is unfortunate.

Note: This week you will work as a class to create a plan for evaluating the rite of passage program described in the assigned article. Each member of the class will be assigned one step of the research process:
Research problems and questions
Finding and using existing knowledge
Focused research questions and research hypothesis
Research methods
Sampling issues and options
Measurement
Data acquisition
Data collection instruments
Analyzing data
Disseminating research findings

To prepare for this Discussion, read the Poitier et al. study and then revisit what you have learned about your assigned step of the research process. Consider what would be the most important information to share with your colleagues about that step. Together the class will create a research plan for evaluating the rite of passage program described in the assigned article.

By Day 3

Post an explanation of your assigned step of the research process and how you would complete that step.

By Day 5

Respond to a colleague’s postings with a suggestion, insight, or addition to that particular step of the research process.

Rhonda Blanding

For this weeks’ discussion I have been given the task to develop focused research questions as well as a research hypothesis. After reading the assigned article, regarding African American women in substance abuse and their treatment these two task were completed.

Focused research questions: How will involving the children of the clients in the treatment process help or hurt the mother?

Is there a certain age of the child/ or children that would not be involved in the treatment process?

How will the changes in the life choices of the African American women be determined?

How long with this research study last?

These questions are all of the questions that came to mind after reading the research study. Some of these questions are very pertinent and I am sure that other readers would want to know some, if not all of the same things as well. Also in the article it states that the African culture is known for being very spiritual (Poitier, Niliwaambieni, Rowe, 1997). Another question that would arise is what concepts of spirituality would be added into this program?

I would take care of the questions by gathering participants with children of all ages. This would aid in determine if the age of the child or children also have an effect on the outcome of the mother’s treatment. To access the life choices that are being made over time I would develop a Likert scale so that the mothers could evaluate themselves, as well as have them complete an assessment with a professional to determine if the life choices truly are getting better.

As for the research hypothesis, I would say that if the women who are participation in this type of program really apply themselves to the treatment then most of them should be able to complete the program and be clean. Especially since their children is right there with them, and everyday they will be faced with the motivation to do a little better for this child or children’s sake.

Poitier, V. L., Niliwaambieni, M., & Rowe, C. L. (1997). A rite of passage approach designed to preserve the families of substance-abusing African American women. Child Welfare, (1), 173. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgea&AN=edsgcl.19175019&site=eds-live&scope=site