According to the Council on Social Work Education, Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice:

Social workers understand quantitative and qualitative research methods and their respective roles in advancing a science of social work and in evaluating their practice. Social workers know the principles of logic, scientific inquiry, and culturally informed and ethical approaches to building knowledge. Social workers understand that evidence that informs practice derives from multi-disciplinary sources and multiple ways of knowing. They also understand the processes for translating research findings into effective practice. Social workers:

• Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research;
• Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings; and
• Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.

This assignment is intended to help students demonstrate the behavioral components of this competency in their field education.

To Prepare: Meet with your Field Instructor. During the meeting, you are expected to assess the population(s) served by the agency. After meeting with the Field Instructor, conduct extensive research regarding the agency’s client population. You will be expected to use at least 5 peer-reviewed resources. The purpose of the research is to discover “evidenced based practices” that are most effective while working with clients served within the population. If the agency serves more than one population, select one sub-population within the agency to conduct the review.

The Assignment: Create a 10-12 slide PowerPoint Presentation, where you will explain the following:

1. Population researched
2. Best evidenced based practices modalities used to engage the population
3. Current modalities used in the agency
4. Briefly discuss and suggest to methods of implementing evidence-based practices in the agency
5. Analyze the findings from the articles you researched

Required Readings

Garthwait, C. L. (2017). The social work practicum: A guide and workbook for students (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Chapter 10, “Cultural Competence” (pp. 110-124)

Min, J. W. (2005). Cultural competency: A key to effective social work with racially and ethnically diverse elders. Families in Society, 86(3), 347–358.
Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Required Media

Laureate Education. (Producer). (2013). Diversity/cultural competence [Audio file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Note:  This audio introduction is located in the “Introduction and Objectives” section. The approximate length of this media piece is 1 minute.
 

Optional Resources

Click the following link to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.

MSW home page