Using Single-system Research Designs to Evaluate Practice

Artelt, Thomas A.; Shek, Daniel T. L.; Thyer, Bruce A.

doi:10.1177/0020872803046002003

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(28 reference statements)

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“…Convenience sampling is commonly used in social service settings, as social service research often faces practical limitations such as time constraints or logistical challenges (Holosko et al 2013;Thyer et al 2003). Researchers sometimes use convenience sampling for pilot testing, gathering data from a small sample to refine the instruments or programs before conducting a more extensive study.…”

Section: Selection Of Reader Participants From Three Types Of Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teaching about Marginalized Groups Using a Digital Human Library: Lessons Learned

Chan

2024

Social Sciences

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This paper presents lessons learned from a project inspired by digital storytelling and the human library to reduce prejudices against marginalized groups. By comparing the outcomes of similar participants in different settings over the same period, the study explored which types of activities might be pivotal when influencing the perspective-taking attitudes of participants. The study used a case study approach, with data from the digital human library project, and selected participants from three different engagement contexts: participants in group A were involved in reading story abstracts online, having short face-to-face meetings regarding human books, and engaging in editorial activities; participants in group B were involved in extended face-to-face sharing provided by human books, followed by question-and-answer interaction; and participants in group C were involved in the reading of stories online without interaction. Convenience sampling was used and included 250 registered participants who completed pre-test and post-test questionnaires. The study found that merely reading stories online (group C) did not significantly reduce prejudice, and face-to-face contact on its own (group B) was also not the most effective in changing attitudes. Group A participants who combined short face-to-face meetings and story-retelling activities showed the most significant changes in perspective-taking attitudes. These findings imply that dialogic cognitive processes in narrative activities, rather than the mode of contact, may be pivotal in enhancing perspective-taking attitudes. This paper calls for further research into the scalability of digital human library hybrids and more rigorous experimental research designs. It underscores the potential of these interventions to foster more inclusive societies, mitigate social biases, and support equity.

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Section: Selection Of Reader Participants From Three Types Of Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teaching about Marginalized Groups Using a Digital Human Library: Lessons Learned

Chan

2024

Social Sciences

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“…The use of single-system research designs (SSRDs) is compatible with the pragmatic focus of social workers who use practical methods to evaluate agency problems, social policies, and direct practice interventions (Thyer, Artelt, & Shek, 2003). With an increasing demand for accountability and quality in service provisions, social workers find it necessary to collect scientifically credible evidence to show if their programs or interventions produce favorable outcomes.…”

Section: Activity 2: Using Assessment Templates For Critical Evaluatimentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancing Social Work Practice Research Education – An Innovative, Experiential Pedagogical Approach

Kwong

2017

IJHE

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Achieving practice research competency is an essential pillar of social work practice. However, research material is often associated with dry lectures and incomprehensible statistical applications that may not reflect real life issues. Teaching research course is often antithetical to the pedagogical approach commonly used in social work education, which engages students in practical applications of real life situations with case examples. This paper described and evaluated six sets of experiential class and field activities designed to increase graduate level social work students' competencies of practice research. These activities included: (1) formulating a practice-based research topic; (2) using assessment templates for critical evaluation of published research; (3) learning single-system research design; (4) conducting agency research and evaluation field assessment; (5) designing and executing a practice-focused class study project; and (6) presentation and dissemination of research findings. An online course evaluation was administered with altogether 63 students in 2 Foundation Research and 2 Advanced Research classes to elicit both their qualitative feedback and quantitative ratings of their attainment of research competencies. The instructor's assessment of individual student performance using a grading rubric helped determine their level of attainment of course competences. Findings suggest several critical elements of this pedagogical approach. Students learn about real-world research issues through a case-based learning approach. Both students and the instructor involve in a collaborative learning process. Finally the instructor selects context-specific cases for class discussion and activities so that students see the connection of social work research to day-to-day practice contexts.

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“…Additionally, a request to fund the continuation of a successful project could be more persuasive if a practice research study had been conducted to provide evidence using appropriate evaluative methods (Rock & Cooper, 2000; Thyer, Artelt, & Shek, 2003). Thirdly, practice research has been found to increase enthusiasm for research among practitioners (McCrystal, 2000) and improve their confidence and motivation to do research (Joubert, 2006).…”

Section: The Potential Benefits Of Practice Research In Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Emergence of Social Work Practice Research in the Peoples’ Republic of China

Sim

Lau²

2016

Research on Social Work Practice

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Objective: In China where social work is a fledgling profession, practice research is still a novelty. This article aims to provide an overview of the development of social work practice research in mainland China. Methods: This review analyzes the content of 206 Chinese journal articles published in the Peoples’ Republic of China since 1915 using the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, with a focus on the question “who published what?” Results: The first social work practice research was published in 1999 and it has been increasing in recent years in China. They are predominantly conducted by academics and the collaboration between academics and practitioners is rare and can be further promoted. Conclusions: Practice research could be stepped up to build a distinctive professional knowledge base for social work in China considering its unique geographical, cultural, socioeconomic, and political contexts.

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Using Single-system Research Designs to Evaluate Practice

Cited by 11 publications

References 33 publications

Teaching about Marginalized Groups Using a Digital Human Library: Lessons Learned

Teaching about Marginalized Groups Using a Digital Human Library: Lessons Learned

Advancing Social Work Practice Research Education – An Innovative, Experiential Pedagogical Approach

The Emergence of Social Work Practice Research in the Peoples’ Republic of China

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