SOWK 546: The Science of Social Work: Home

Research guide for students in the course SOWK 546. Introduction to the role of scientific inquiry in advancing social work goals.

Getting Started


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?