Reviewing my previous post, I realized that this has been a long and cumbersome semester. This class has reinforced some of the things I learned about research and it has open my eyes to the difference of research between discipline in academia.

What are the general takeaways from the course and your blogs?

My general takeaway from the class is to not assume you know research. Across academia research methods chances. This class also given me a template to research in the world of social work.

What were you hoping to gain from this course? Were they realized?

I personal excepted to do better in this class because I took a class like this a few years ago. In the research methods course I took at NIU, I got a C. I know I did better this time around.

Reviewing your previous 9 blog entries, what insights did you receive about your journey into social work research?

I realized that there are a lot of niche options within the social work field. I feel this course has allow me to recognized that my focus within social work is becoming clearer.

You’re welcome to incorporate any creative form of expressions here from pictures, to memes to quotes to songs.

What does ethical research mean to you before today’s lecture and after today’s lecture and discussion?

Before today’s lecture, I already understood what ethical research entailed. I feel once you learn something you can’t unlearn it. I went through a research methods class in my first masters class. And talking about the topic Brought back a lot of the things I learned in my previous class. I feel this course was a refresher to what I previously learned. I also feel this class is reinforcing what I learned in my first masters research methods class

What insights did you gain from the material? How does your understanding of the ethical issues in research affect your thinking about the implementation of the proposal?

Really, the material gave me the tools I need to do my work efficiently. All the material that my professor gave me, equipped me to get a good grade out the course. Hopefully I get an A. Lol.

The final research paper is due in a couple of weeks. It is a major paper which requires planning, writing, and thoughtful integration of the ideas we covered during the entire semester.

How are you approaching the completion of this task?

Due to me having previous knowledge on the subject. I was able to better navigate the requirements of the course.

What is your plan? How do you plan to complete the assignment in a timely manner?

My initial plan was to have a concert topic that interested me. honestly, due to what is going on at this time, I barely make the deadline. I had another episode of running a fever, but I get it done. I just got my Covid-19 test back and it was negative. So I am happy a this moment.

What are the specific tasks that you would need to do to get the work done? What’s your strategy and plan for the completion of this final paper?

The most part of doing time assignment was gathering the data and verbalizing what to say. just continue to work on the assignment and follow the examples my professor provided me with.

What are your thoughts on research designs after tonight’s class?

Research design can be very complex, if you just read whats on the surface. What I mean about that is, when taking a research class, the authors explain what research is in a jargon that is sometimes incomprehensible. What the teacher present to the class can be difficult as well because they explain the text in this same manner. I guess the idea is to introduce all student to the jargon within the discipline. This can become difficult for the average student to comprehend. I was that average student. I had a professor named Dr. Mooney to help me with understand Research and all the facets of research. I can say I’m still learning but this time around this research class is slightly easier when I took it the first time. What I think of research design is its still complex but I have gained more knowledge in regards to research design.

How important is identifying an appropriate research design for your study?

Its is very important to choose the proper design and statistical analysis. The design portion allows you to measure your hypothesis without little internal bias and error. A great design will eliminate these issues.

What types of research designs are you considering for your study and why? Notate a research design that is consistent with the goals of your study.

I will be using a quantitative design research, that will focus on using surveys to report my findings and allow me to establish some truth to my hypothesis. Sometime researcher will research an issues or topic that is already well documented. Researchers will do this just to insert a new question or shad light on an underlining issue that hasn’t been explored. My goal with my research is gain more knowledge on the topic I’m researching and complete the exercise of doing the assignment.

As a researcher, which particular research methods (quantitative, qualitative, or a combination) do you tend to gravitate towards and why?

I personal don’t have a particular means of research methods. Whatever gets the job done is what I will go with at this point of my academic and professional career. Just knowing the difference in methods and analysis is a step closer to what will allow me to be successful in my endeavors in life. Any form of methods is good, but based off whatever my outcome will be, is going to allow me to get a definitive approach to any solution I seek while in my professional career.

Do you think it’s important to recognize the biases in the choice of the research method? Why?

For the novice researcher, biases in what method is used is not very important, because they are learning research. For me, to pick between qualitative, qualitative or a combination if both is not important. Getting the job done is very important to me. Personal, I don’t have any biases to the methods portion of research. Depending on the subject I’m researching on, such as eduction achievement gap, I will have some biases on access to technology or access on quality of educators are something I will have some reservation on this subject.

What could determine the use of a particular research method?

There are a lot of factors that can contribute to what type of research methods you can use. for example, time constraints, population availability, knowledge of researcher and best practices of the researcher. Just having the basic knowledge of research can allow social workers make better inform decisions on what will and what may work in introducing interventions and any other modality that can help our future clients.

What are my thoughts and feelings about statistics?

My thoughts and feelings on statistics are it relevant, everyone should understand the basic form of stats, if you are in academics stats taking classes should be offer only on the level in which one will use statistic analysis. Due to the amount of things one can learn in a course, in academics they should have a level 100, 200, 300 and 400 level course. The reason I said that is, it’s a lot to learn at one time.

Why do you think you feel the way you do about statistics?

The reason I feel the way I do about learn about statistic in academia are it takes away for what you are learning in your major classes, some concepts are difficult to grasp and the terminology is confusing when trying teach/learn course content.

What can we do as a class (or individuals) to appreciate statistics more fully?

As a class, all the assignments should be basic as streamline to what the objectives for the class. Doing our research proposal is a great assignment but to fully understand what statistic is in regards to doing a research, we should have freedom in what type of statistical analysis we should use. In regards of individual use, I feel this will allow me to put together information and present to whoever in an intellectual way.

What is the purpose of statistics, if any?

The Purpose of Statistics: Statistics teaches people to use a limited sample to make intelligent and accurate conclusions about a greater population. The use of tables, graphs, and charts play a vital role in presenting the data being used to draw these conclusions. I got this definition off the internet and it sums up what I think about statistics.

What are your current biases with your research topic?

My research topic, the Effects of Poverty on Educational Achievement is well documented. My biases on this subject is based on my work experience in the Chicago Public School (CPS). In my first hand experience, the parents are not active in their child education pursuits. Due to the few interaction between me and the parent was not good. The parents was more concerned about their child getting they phone taken from them then their disruptive behavior. Parent involvement is my bias in my research topic.

Why is it important to be aware of your biases when writing a literature review? 

The reasons why it is important to be aware of your biases when writing a literature review are, only selecting articles that fit what you want to say in the review, overlooking vital information that can lead you to the answer of your hypothesis, or falsely stating information. It is important to have scholarly integrity while writing a literature review.

Do you think your biases could affect the conclusions that you arrive at for the literature review?

No, my biases will not effect my conclusion to my literature review because I using this assignment to learn more about the subject itself. I can say a few of my assumptions are right, but going through CPS system myself is the reason why I picked this subject. If I attend to work in CPS I need to have a level of working knowledge on the subject.

Moving forward, what do we need to do to address those biases that we are aware of in our paper?

I will do nothing because to me this is a scholarly exercise that will give me the insight I need to be successful in my field of study.

1. What gains/new insights/perspectives have you made about the uses of research to your future social work practice?
   • I have learned that as a social worker it will be very important to stay a brisk of new and trending research. It is research that helps formulate best practices when dealing with people especially with children.
2. How relevant is research to social work practice?
   • The practice of social workers is directly related to research in the field. It is from research that we determine how effective our practice is or how effective a program may be. Research aids in developing new knowledge, programs, and practices.
3. What could research potentially do?
   • Research has the potential to change the way in which we deal with people. Research can even change the laws that are passed.
4. How should social workers really think about the role of research?
   • Social workers should take in account research when making decisions but also remembering common sense on some issues.
5. Do social workers have to choose between doing research and for their clients? Are these two issues distinct or are they different sides of the same coin? (HINT: See Ch. 1)
   • I do think that social workers have to choose between the two. Some situations may seem simple according to research, but there will be times when research won’t be enough.
   • To better serve our clients, research allows social workers to determine what treatment work best for their client. What may work for one client may not work for the next in regards to interventions. By understanding methodologies, social workers can redesign interventions, treatments, develop new social reforms and laws that can help our clients.
6. Please elaborate on your ideas. Use a meme/memes to summarize your perspectives. Why did you pick this particular meme?
   • Regardless of the changes in society and all of the problems we see in society, there is much progress being made!
   • I choose this meme because my goal will be to change the life(s) of our youth. If I can help change the life trajectory of one and he do the same in my neighborhood. We could eventually change the trajectory of our society.

This is not my first time taking a research class. Just learning the different types of research, research analysis, and intricate nuances that always researcher to gain insight, knowledge, etc.. in many scholarly disciplines is phenomnal . I was very intimidate the first time I took a research methods class. I struggled, but I learned a lot in the process. So at this moment right now, I feel comfortable with conducting research. I still have to work on conducting efficient ways to gather my information and organization.

Research is a very critical component to the advancement of any discipline especially social work. I consider all the benefits of research, validation of treatment and intervention, shedding light social problems, and the most important benefits is informing. Some of the down sides to research are the formation of bias, research integrity, and a whole host of other issues that can take place when conducting research. My attentions are pure. I want to develop a working knowledge of my interest with in social work.

Based off all the content I viewed thus far in my 512 SWK class, I am confident that I will do well. When there is no working knowledge of how to research and/or subject content, can produce some forms of fears and concerns. I think this class will help me in developing my working knowledge in every subject in social work I’m interested in. Hopefully this is the start on establishing and gaining expertise on topics like: The School to Prison Pipeline, Academic Achievement Gap, Trauma and the list goes on….. Hopefully I can pull all the vital information within this course.

Describe your experience or experiences with research as a subject. How do you feel about research? Do you see any benefits and/or downsides in using research in social work practice? What are your fears and concerns, if any? How do you think this will impact upon your motivations and work for this course?