Getting Started
- Key Concepts of the Science of Social Work by Professor John BrekkeThis video, presented by Professor John Brekke, provides more context about research and the science of social work for students enrolled in SOWK 546.
- SAGE Research Methods Online and Cases This link opens in a new windowSAGE Research Methods includes books, articles, encyclopedias, and videos covering social science research design and methods including the complete Little Green Book series of Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences and the Little Blue Book series of qualitative research. Also includes case studies outlining the research methods used in real research projects.
- SOWK 546 Spring 2023 Library Instruction SlidesThe slides cover literature searching tips and finding scholarly sources for evidence based practice, interventions and therapy strategies.
- Template for Asking PICO(T) QuestionsThis template was adapted from the PICOT Questions Template; Ellen Fineout-Overholt, 2006
Developing a clearly formulated question
The strategies below are helpful when developing and refining your research and practice based questions. Keep in mind these are examples. Use as recommendations to help you think about the basic elements your question will have.
Client Oriented Practical Evidence Search (COPES) Questions
Four (4) Elements in a Well-Formulated Question
| Client Type and Problem | How would you describe the a group of clients of similar types | Young adult with anxiety and depression |
| What You Might Do | Apply a treatment; act to prevent a problem; measure to assess a problem; survey clients; screen clients to assess risk. | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy |
| Alternate Course of Action | What are other treatments or interventions? | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) |
| What You Want to Accomplish | Outcome of treatment or prevention? | Decrease in anxiety and depression |
*Adapted from Gibbs, L. E. (2003). Evidence-based practice for the helping professions : A practical guide with integrated multimedia. Pacific Grove, Calif.: Brooks/Cole-Thomson Learning.
Framing Your Question with PICO
| Problem/Patient/Population | Young adult with anxiety and depression |
| Intervention | Cognitive behavioral therapy |
| Comparison | no treatment |
| Outcome | lower levels of depression |
Eg: For young adults dealing with anxiety and depression does cognitive behavioral therapy, as opposed to no treatment, result in lower levels of depression?