In this assignment, you will apply what you've learned about the role of research in social work practice. You will identify a social problem or practice issue that you care about and demonstrate how research

Overview

In this assignment, you will apply what you've learned about the role of research in social work practice. You will identify a social problem or practice issue that you care about and demonstrate how research supports ethical, evidence-informed approaches to addressing it.

Note: FirstPass, an AI-powered feedback tool, is available to use as you draft this assignment. The FirstPass tool for this assignment is available in the Weekly To-Do List and includes directions on how to upload your draft to receive real-time feedback before you submit for a grade.

Instructions

Write a 3–4 page paper (not including title or reference pages) that uses the APA headings and addresses the components given below.

Problem Statement

Using a specific social problem or practice issue relevant to social work (for example, homelessness, racial disparities in healthcare, and child welfare system reform), complete the following in approximately one page:

• Explain why this social problem or practice issue matters to the field of social work.
• Discuss how this social problem or practice issue connects to core social work values or ethical standards from the NASW Code of Ethics.
  • Connect to at least two core values or ethical standards.
  • Be specific and cite your connections using APA style.

Literature Review Summary

Locate and review at least three recent (within the last 7 years) peer-reviewed scholarly research articles related to your topic and for each article in 2–3 pages total, complete the following:

• Summarize the purpose and main findings.
• Summarize how the research contributes to understanding the issue.
• Summarize any limitations or concerns related to cultural responsiveness, ethics, or applicability to social work practice.
• Evaluate the credibility and relevance of each article using critical thinking and academic language.

Additional Requirements

Your assignment should also meet the following requirements:

• Written communication:
  • Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.
  • Apply the standard writing conventions for the discipline, including structure, voice, person, and tone.
• APA formatting: Use Academic Writer for guidance in citing sources and formatting your paper in proper APA style. See the Writing Center for more APA resources specific to your degree level.
• Number of resources: Identify at least three recent (within the last 7 years) scholarly sources that support your positions and use them throughout your paper using appropriate APA citations.
  • Use the Social Work Master's Program (MSW) Library Guide for research resources and library tools.
• Length of paper: 3–4 typed, double-spaced pages, excluding title and reference pages, and 1-inch margins.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Review the Research-Informed Practice rubric to see the criteria by which your assignment will be evaluated before submission.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria:

• Competency 1: Apply research findings to inform and improve practice, policy, and programs. (C4.GP.A)
  • Explain why this social problem or practice issue matters to the field of social work. (C4.GP.A)
  • Summarize the purpose and main findings of each article. (C4.GP.A)
  • Summarize how the research contributes to understanding the issue for each article. (C4.GP.A)
• Competency 2: Identify ethical, culturally informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive strategies that address inherent biases for use in quantitative and qualitative research methods to advance the purposes of social work. (C4.GP.B)
  • Discuss how this social problem or practice issue connects to core social work values or ethical standards from the NASW Code of Ethics. (C4.GP.B)
  • Summarize any limitations or concerns related to cultural responsiveness, ethics, or applicability to social work practice for each article. (C4.GP.B)
• Competency 3: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
  • Evaluate the credibility and relevance of each article using critical thinking and academic language. (C4.GP.B)
  • Apply APA style and formatting to scholarly writing.