A research topic can come from many different sources. For some social workers, it starts with a nagging question or obsession that just wont leave them. For others, it is a noticeable gap in the social work knowledge base, which they discover through immersing themselves in the literature. For still others, it is a practice problem they have encountered that doesnt seem to have a clear answer. What issues do you see in the social work fieldon the job, or through articles you have read? What is one problem you would like to address as a social worker? That problem could be related to gaps in services, diverse populations in need, or an ongoing human challenge such as addiction or trauma.
In this Assignment, you begin thinking about your own nagging question while also gaining experience searching in the Walden Library databases. Additionally, you have the opportunity to practice APA Style by referencing the research articles you find in the Library
LIBRARY SEARCHING I
A research topic can come from many different sources. For some social workers, it starts with a nagging question or obsession that just wont leave them. For others, it is a noticeable gap in the social work knowledge base, which they discover through immersing themselves in the literature. For still others, it is a practice problem they have encountered that doesnt seem to have a clear answer. What issues do you see in the social work fieldon the job, or through articles you have read? What is one problem you would like to address as a social worker? That problem could be related to gaps in services, diverse populations in need, or an ongoing human challenge such as addiction or trauma.
In this Assignment, you begin thinking about your own nagging question while also gaining experience searching in the Walden Library databases. Additionally, you have the opportunity to practice APA Style by referencing the research articles you find in the Library
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
TO PREPARE:
· Review the Learning Resources on searching for and reading research articles.
· Complete the APA Style interactive media.
· Reflect on topics you are curious or excited to learn about related to your social work interests. Consider what brought you to social work and what you want to know. Review the current issues and trends you have read about and studied in other courses. Select one of the topics you generate as a potential research focus.
· Conduct a search in the Walden Library databases for peer-reviewed research articles related to your research focus that have been published within the past 5 years. Use the resources for help determining what makes a good search topic and keywords.
· Download the Search Worksheet in the Learning Resources for additional support in your library searching. Note that you do not need to submit this worksheet.
BY DAY 7
Submit a document in which you record:
· Your potential research topic
· Search terms you used to search for peer-reviewed research articles in the Walden Library
· APA references for three peer-reviewed research articles from your search and a brief explanation of how each article relates to your topic
Note that your Instructor will provide feedback on your use of APA Style this week so that you may apply that feedback for next week.
For next weeks Assignment, you will continue to search for more articles
for a total of six peer-reviewed research articles on your topic.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Before submi
Search Worksheet: Developing Key Search Terms/Phrases
Use this worksheet to brainstorm search terms related to your social work topic and population of interest. Then enter these search terms in the Walden Library databases to gather relevant peer-reviewed research articles for your Assignment. In each row, include information pertinent to your topic and population.
|
Statement of the Problem, Gap, or Topic of Interest in Studying: Example: |
Population Proposed to Study: Example: |
|
| Row 1: Concepts From Research Topic and Population |
Identify three terms, words, or phrases that are related to the problem, gap, or topic of interest. Example: Caregiver, nurturer, caretaker |
Identify three terms, words, or phrases that are related to the population you wish to study. Example: Aging parents, aging father, elderly father |
| Row 2: Synonyms |
Identify three synonyms (alternative search words) that are related to the problem, gap, or topic of interest. Example: Carer, guardian, parenting |
Identify three synonyms (alternative search words) that are related to the population you wish to study. Example: Older father, older parents, guardians |
| Row 3: Combined Search (Boolean or Advanced Search Terms) | Identify three advanced search terms, words, or phrases combined with the population to develop alternative searches to further refine your search. Example: (Caregiving AND older parents) (Caregiver OR Nurturer AND older fathers) |
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