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SAN JOSÉ STATE UNIVERSITY School of Social Work

Research Sequence
ScWk 242
Spring 2008
Written Assignment #4
(Due at the beginning of class __/__/__)

Please write in no more than 17 pages total:

*** The title page, abstract, appendices, and references ARE NOT included in the page
limit

1) Your REVISED introduction (3 points) including the appropriate components.

Note that you should have moved your hypothesis and/or research question
formulated in the first assignment to the end of the literature review. Remember
that a research statement, a hypothesis, and a research question are 3 different
concepts. Make sure you know the difference among these.

2) Your REVISED literature review (5 points) including the appropriate

components: background, theory, “body” sections, and hypothesis(es) and/or
research question(s) which were moved from the introduction to the end of the
literature review.

3) Your REVISED methods (7 points) which includes:

a. Research Design – Identifying and describing the specific design or method

for the quantitative and/or qualitative components of your study, i.e., cross-
sectional survey research, classical experimental design, phenomenology,
ethnography, etc.

b. Sample – Identifying and describing:

i. Sampling frame, specific sampling method with procedures (i.e.,

simple random sampling, convenience sampling, etc.), and your
anticipated sample size

ii. Demographic description, in general, of your prospective

participants

c. Study Site – Identifying and describing where your study will take place

d. Variables and Measurement, and/or Themes - Including:

i. Operational definition for all quantifiable variables (including controls)

and/or description of qualitative themes consistent with your study’s
model

ii. Description of quantitative and/or qualitative instruments, for example,

a detailed description of the survey and example items for a
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quantitative measure, and/or the questions asked in an interview.
Also include a discussion about the reliability and validity of these
instruments.

iii. Description of procedures for establishing the credibility,

trustworthiness, and verification for qualitative data.

iv. Also refer to the appendix where sample items and/or copies of your
instruments will be placed as part of the paper.

e. Human Subjects Considerations – Describing how you will obtain

informed consent, ensure participants’ confidentiality or anonymity, protect
them from harm, and submit your proposal to an IRB for review and
approval.

f. Procedures and Data Collection Techniques – Describing the procedures

of your study, and if you are conducting an intervention, program, or
treatment, a description of your curriculum.

g. Study Design Limitations – Describing the potential limitations of your

method

**New for SW 242: Proposed Analysis and Implications for Social Work
from a Transcultural Perspective **

4) Proposed Analysis (5 points) – Describing how you will analyze the data
in your proposed study. The proposed analysis is a sub-section in the
Methods section and includes:

a. Quantitative -- Describing your list of variables in your model

(including control variables), and how you will conduct :appropriate
analyses at each of the three levels: univariate, bivariate, and
multivariate. For example, you would identify what statistical tests you
would conduct (i.e., chi-square test of association, independent samples
t test, one way ANOVA, multiple regression with dummy coding, etc.) at
each level, and which variables they involve. You should also identify
which test(s) ultimately answer your research hypothesis(es) for the
quantitative portion of your proposal.

b. Qualitative – Describing the analysis of the demographic variables

relevant to your study at the univariate level. You should also describe
your proposed analysis of qualitative data, e.g., how you will use coding,
thematic analysis, and/or content analysis procedures.

5) Anticipated Findings and Implications for Social Work from a

Transcultural Perspective (3 points) -- State what you expect your
findings to be, and explain the implications of your proposed study for social
work from a transcultural perspective. Consider the Elements of the
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Transcultural Perspective that is a part of the mission of the School of
Social Work at San Jose State University, including: 1) cultural knowledge,
2) cultural competence, 3) power, privilege, oppression, and structural
contexts, 4) positionality and self-reflexivity, and 5) respectful partnership.
Explain how your proposed study, and your anticipated findings addresse at
least one of the five components in the transculural model.

6) Additional Proposal Components (2 points)

a. Abstract should be 250 words or fewer and should summarize the entire
proposal. Include the following information: research question and/or
hypothesis, research design, sampling procedures and estimated sample
size, study site, data collection methods, anticipated findings and
implications for social work. References are not included in the abstract.

b. Minimum 15 references. Although a majority of references are cited in the

literature review, the introduction and methods section can contain
references as well.

c. Appendices. Appendices are required for the assignment. This section

contains your demographic questions (i.e., developed from Assignment #3),
interview questions, if applicable (i.e., developed from Assignment #1),
other items and questions, copies of your instruments, and/or other detailed
documentation relevant to your study.

d. APA. APA style should be used consistently throughout the paper.

Tips and Suggestions:

 This assignment is intended as the opportunity to improve your research

proposal from ScWk 240, incorporating feedback and new information
learned in ScWk 242.

 Write, review, and edit this paper carefully! Remember that this assignment
serves as the official evaluation for writing competency in the MSW Program
if you still need to fulfill this requirement.

 Please read these instructions and double check that you have included each
subsection of the methods in your paper. A reader should be able to replicate your
study from the information you give in your methods. The methodology is similar to
a cookbook recipe: include all the ingredients and the instructions of how to make
your dish.

 Please read your syllabus and other class materials for more information and tips
about how to write your methods section.

 Refer to your reader and textbook literature review examples written in academic
style.
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Grading: 30% of your final grade and official assessment of writing, if applicable

This assignment is REQUIRED. This assignment is the draft of your complete

research proposal. Please see the attached grading rubric for Written Assignment #4.
This assignment is the official evaluation of your writing competency, if applicable.

Paper Components:

Please submit all assignments in APA format. Written Assignment #4 is the rewrite of
your introduction, literature review, and methods proposed in ScWk 240. You now
have the components for a complete research proposal:

Title Page [not part of page count]

Abstract [separate page - 250 words or fewer – not part of page count]

Introduction [recommended 1 to 2 pages]

Literature Review [recommended 5 to 6 pages]

Methods [recommended 6 to 7 pages]

Anticipated Findings and Implications for Social Work from a Transcultural

Perspective [recommended 1 page]

References [separate page – 15 minimum – not part of page count]

Appendices [separate pages – not part of page count]

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Paper Format Example:

Following is a working outline with APA heading levels based on the previous
hypothetical example regarding MSW Student Life Satisfaction. Please consult with
your professor for additional instructions and assistance.

Introduction

Relevance to Social Work

Literature Review

Background of MSW Students and Life Satisfaction

Developmental Theory and MSW Student Life Satisfaction

Age and Life Satisfaction

Family Life and Life Satisfaction

Socioeconomic Status and Life Satisfaction

Hypotheses and Research Question

Method

Research Design

Sample

Study Site

Variables and Measurement, and/or Themes

Reliability and Validity and/or Credibility and Verification of Qualitative Data

Human Subjects Considerations

Procedures and Data Collection Techniques

Study Design Limitations

Proposed Analysis

Anticipated Findings and Implications for Social Work from a Transcultural Perspective
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Student Name: ______________________________________ ScWk 242 Section #: _______

Date of Evaluation: _____ / _____ / _____

Score: _____ / 30 points

Writing Assignment #4
Official Writing Assessment Rubric and Score Sheet

Revised Introduction (3 points) Score for this Section _______

Excellent to Average or Poor to

Very Good Marginal Very Poor
(3) (2) (1)
Revised Paper contains a developed Paper attempts to introduce a Paper does not have a developed
Problem and introduction to a problem and problem and identify a research introduction and does not have a clear
Research has a clear research statement, but is somewhat research statement.
Statement statement. vague, or identifies too many or
mixed foci and ideas.

Paper contains a vague Paper lacks a description of the

Paper contains a clear description of the context of the context of the proposed study and
Revised description of the context of proposed study and argument does not have a developed argument
Context of the proposed study and a well as to the study’s relevance to as to the study’s relevance to social
the Study and developed argument as to the social work is present but work.
Relevance to study’s relevance to social somewhat general.
Social Work work.

Revised Literature Review (5 points) Score for Section________

Excellent to Average or Poor to

Very Good Marginal Very Poor
(5 to 4) (3) (2 to 1)
Revised Literature review contains a Literature review contains a vague or Literature review does not have a
Literature relevant and developed general background subsection for developed background subsection
Review background subsection for the the population and issue or problem for the population and issue or
population and issue or identified in the introduction. problem identified in the
Background problem identified in the introduction.
introduction.
Revised Literature review has a theory Literature review has a theory Literature review does not have a
Literature subsection and identifies a subsection attempts to identify a theory subsection, and does not
Review theory relevant to the theory relevant to the population and identify a theory, or the theory is
population and issue or issue or problem identified in the irrelevant to the population and
Theory problem identified in the introduction. However, the issue or problem identified in the
introduction. It also contains a subsection is somewhat vague or introduction. The subsection is
clear and concise description incomplete regarding how this theory vague or incomplete regarding how
of this theory and an pertains specifically to the variables this theory pertains specifically to
explanation of how it pertains and/or themes identified in the the variables and/or themes
specifically to the variables introduction and research statement. identified in the introduction and
and/or themes identified in the research statement.
introduction and research
statement.
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Revised Literature Review Continued

Excellent to Average or Poor to

Very Good Marginal Very Poor
Revised Major “body” subsections of Major “body” subsections of the Major “body” subsections of the
Literature the literature review are well literature review are somewhat literature review are non-existent,
Review: organized according to the organized according to the paper’s or poorly organized and
paper’s model. Each model. Each subsection attempts to inconsistent with the paper’s
“Body” subsection explains with explain with evidence the connection model. Subsections are vague
Sections evidence (i.e., an integrated between each independent and and lack explanation and evidence
review of relevant literature) dependent variable consistent with the regarding the connection between
the connection between each hypothesis and/or how each theme each independent and dependent
independent and dependent relates to the research question. Yet, variable consistent with the
variable consistent with the paper lacks some evidence and/or hypothesis and/or how each theme
hypothesis and/or how each somewhat weak presentation of relates to the research question.
theme relates to the research argument.
question.
This part of the literature review
includes a somewhat vague or
incomplete discussion of the current
status of the specific topic in the This part of the literature review is
This part of the literature professional knowledge base, vague and incomplete, with limited
review also includes in its limitations of previous studies related discussion of the current status of
integrated discussion the to the specific topic, and how the the specific topic in the
current status of the specific proposed study will make a professional knowledge base,
topic in the professional contribution. limitations of previous studies
knowledge base, limitations related to the specific topic, and
of previous studies related to how the proposed study will make
the specific topic, and how a contribution.
the proposed study will make
a contribution.

Revised The literature review contains The literature review contains The literature review contains
Literature clearly and correctly worded somewhat clearly and correctly poorly worded research
Review: research question(s) and/or worded research question(s) and/or question(s) and/or hypothesis(es)
hypothesis(es) consistent hypothesis(es) fairly consistent with inconsistent with the proposal’s
Research with the proposal’s focus. the proposal’s focus. focus, or lacks a research question
Question(s) or hypothesis.
and/or
Hypothesis(e
s)

Revised Methods (7 points) Score for Section_______

Excellent to Average or Poor to

Very Good Marginal Very Poor
(7 to 6) (5 to 4) (3 to 1)
Revised Methods section contains a Methods section contains a general Methods section does not contain
Methods: specific design or method for design or method for the quantitative a specific design or method for the
the quantitative and/or and/or qualitative components of the quantitative and/or qualitative
Design qualitative components of the study, or is somewhat incomplete in components of the study, or its
study. identifying and describing the design. description is vague.
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Revised Methods Continued

Revised Methods section contains a Methods section attempts to Methods section does not contain a
Methods: specific sampling frame, describe the sampling frame, description of sampling frame,
sampling method, anticipated sampling method, anticipated sampling method, anticipated
Sample sample size, and a general sample size, and a general sample size, and a general
demographic description of demographic description of demographic description of
prospective study participants. prospective study participants. prospective study participants, or
However, an element above is multiple elements above are missing
missing or is somewhat vague. or are vague.

Revised Methods section clearly Methods section identifies and Methods section does not identify or
Methods: identifies and describes the describes the potential study describe the potential study site(s).
Study Site potential study site(s). site(s), but is somewhat vague.

Revised Methods section includes Methods section includes most Methods section lacks many or most
Methods: operational definitions for all operational definitions for the operational definitions for the
quantifiable variables quantifiable variables (including quantifiable variables (including
Variables and (including controls) and/or controls) and/or description of controls) and/or description of
Measurement description of qualitative qualitative themes related to the qualitative themes related to the
, and/or themes consistent with the paper’s model. paper’s model.
Themes paper’s model.

It also includes a description of It also includes, somewhat, a It also lacks a description of

quantitative and/or qualitative description of quantitative and/or quantitative and/or qualitative
instruments, for example, a qualitative instruments, for instruments, for example, there is a
detailed description of the example, a description of the vague or no description of the survey
survey and example items for survey and example items for a and example items for a quantitative
a quantitative measure, and/or quantitative measure, and/or the measure, and/or the questions
Reliability the questions asked in an questions asked in an interview. asked in an interview.
and Validity interview.
and/or And, it somewhat discusses the And, it lacks a discussion about the
Credibility And, it includes a discussion reliability and validity of these reliability and validity of these
and about the reliability and validity instruments, and/or procedures for instruments, and/or procedures for
Verification of of these instruments, and/or establishing the credibility, establishing the credibility,
Qualitative procedures for establishing the trustworthiness, and verification for trustworthiness, and verification for
data credibility, trustworthiness, and qualitative data. qualitative data.
verification for qualitative data.

Revised Methods section describes Methods section vaguely describes Methods section poorly describes, or
Methods: how informed consent is how informed consent is obtained, does not describe, how informed
obtained, how participants’ how participants’ confidentiality or consent is obtained, how
Human confidentiality or anonymity is anonymity is ensured, and how participants’ confidentiality or
Subjects ensured, and how participants participants are protected from anonymity is ensured, and how
Consideration are protected from harm. harm. participants are protected from harm.
s
It also includes a statement that the
It also includes a statement proposal will be submitted to an It also lacks a statement that the
that the proposal will be IRB for review and approval. proposal will be submitted to an IRB
submitted to an IRB for review for review and approval.
and approval.
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Revised Methods Continued

Excellent to Average or Poor to

Very Good Marginal Very Poor
Revised Methods section describes the Methods section somewhat Methods section poorly describes, or
Methods: procedures of the study, and if describes the procedures of the does not describe, the procedures of the
conducting an intervention, study, and if conducting an study, and if conducting an intervention,
Procedures program, or treatment, a clear intervention, program, or program, or treatment, lacks a clear
and Data description of the curriculum. treatment, a description of the description of the curriculum.
Collection curriculum.
Techniques
Revised Methods section describes the Methods section somewhat Methods section poorly describes, or
Methods: potential limitations of the describes the potential does not describe, the potential
method. limitations of the method. limitations of the method.
Study Design
Limitations

Proposed Analysis (5 points) Score for Section________

Excellent to Average or Poor to

Very Good Marginal Very Poor
(5 to 4) (3) (2 to 1)
N Proposed Methods section describes Methods section somewhat Methods section poorly describes, or
Analysis appropriate analysis of describes appropriate analysis lacks description of appropriate analysis
E proposed variables at all of proposed variables at all of proposed variables at all three levels
Statistics to three levels (univariate, three levels (univariate, (univariate, bivariate, and multivariate).
W be used in bivariate, and multivariate). bivariate, and multivariate).
analysis
N Qualitative Methods section describes Methods section somewhat Methods section poorly describes
data appropriate analysis of describes appropriate analysis appropriate analysis of qualitative data
E analysis qualitative data (process of of qualitative data (process of (process of coding, thematic analysis,
plan coding, thematic analysis, coding, thematic analysis, and/or content analysis procedures), if
W and/or content analysis and/or content analysis applicable.
procedures), if applicable. procedures), if applicable.

Anticipated Findings and Implications for Social Work

from a Transcultural Perspective (3 points) Score for Section _________

Excellent to Average or Poor to

Very Good Marginal Very Poor
(3) (2) (1)
N Anticipated Paper describes Paper somewhat describes Paper poorly describes anticipated
Findings and anticipated findings of anticipated findings of the findings of the proposed study and the
E Implications the proposed study and proposed study and the ways ways in which these findings have
for Social the ways in which these in which these findings have implications for social work from a
W Work from a findings have implications for social work transcultural perspective. Implications
Transcultural implications for social from a transcultural for at least one of the five components
Perspective work from a transcultural perspective. Implications for at in the transcultural model are poorly
perspective. Implications least one of the five described
for at least one of the components in the
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five components in the transcultural model are
transcultural model are somewhat described.
described.

Additional Proposal Components (2 points) Score for Section _______

Excellent to Average or Poor to

Very Good Marginal Very Poor
(2) (1) (Less than 1)
Overall Proposal: Paper uses APA style Minor errors in APA style. Multiple errors in APA style.
consistently throughout.
References, Paper contains 12-14 Paper contains fewer than 12
Citations, Use of Paper contains minimum references, with between 2 references, multiple APA style errors in
APA Style, 15 references, with fewer and 4 APA style errors in references and citations, and has one or
inclusion of than 2 APA style errors in references or citations. more unattributed citation(s).
Appendices, and references or citations.
Abstract Appendices include some, or no
Appendices include demographic items, qualitative
* References and demographic items, Appendices include most questions (if applicable), and other items
citations can be qualitative questions (if demographic items, qualitative and instruments related to the project.
used in the applicable), and other questions (if applicable), and
introduction, items and instruments other items and instruments Abstract poorly summarizes the
literature review, related to the project. related to the project. elements of the proposed study in 250
and methods words or fewer.
sections of the Abstract somewhat
proposal Abstract summarizes the summarizes the main
main elements of the elements of the proposed
proposed study in 250 study in 250 words or fewer
words or fewer

Writing Components (5 points) Score for Section_______

Excellent to Average or Poor to

Very Good Marginal Very Poor
(5 to 4) (3) (2 to 1)
Overall Quality All or almost all paragraphs Most paragraphs contain a Many paragraphs are written without
of Writing are written with a clear topic clear topic sentence, are clear topic sentences, are poorly
Including: sentence, are well developed, and contain some developed, and lack supportive
• Paragraph developed, and contain supportive information within information related to the topic in
Structure and supportive information the topic in context. context.
Continuity clearly related to the topic in
context.

• Transitions Transitions from one idea to the next

From Idea to Transitions from one idea to Transitions from one idea to are awkward, illogical, or mixed, i.e.
Idea the next are clearly logical the next are somewhat logical often jumping back and forth or
and presented in an orderly and orderly. scattered throughout paper.
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fashion.

Many sentences are incomplete,

unclear, or poorly written.
• Sentence All sentences or all but one Almost all sentences are
Structure and sentence are complete and complete, with 2 to 3 vague or
Clarity written in clear, logical, and run-ons.
concise fashion.
Paper contains inappropriate or
inaccurate use of words, and
• Vocabulary/ Paper contains appropriate vocabulary underdeveloped.
Appropriate and sophisticated choice Paper contains generally
Use of Words and use of words appropriate and proper use of
throughout paper. words, but a few errors in Paper does not follow general
usage or vocabulary simplistic. directions.
• Assignment
Directions Paper follows all general
directions. Paper follows almost all
general directions.
Punctuation, Paper is written with proper Paper is written mostly with Paper is written with poor grammar,
Grammar, and grammar, i.e. mistakes in proper grammar, i.e. mistakes i.e. multiple mistakes in verb tense,
Spelling verb tense, subject in verb tense, subject subject predicate agreement, and use
predicate agreement, and predicate agreement, and use of pronouns more than 4 throughout
use of pronouns fewer than of pronouns between 2 and 4 paper.
2 throughout paper. throughout paper.

Paper has more than 4 spelling

Paper has fewer than 2 Paper has between 2 and 4 mistakes.
spelling mistakes. spelling mistakes.
Paper has more than 4 punctuation
Paper has fewer than 2 Paper has between 2 and 4 mistakes.
punctuation mistakes. punctuation mistakes.

Grand Total:

Grade (please circle one): Pass No Pass