Due 12/10 8 p.m est

2 pages not including title and ref page min 3 APA

Original work

Many weeks in this course follow a similar pattern. You begin the week by studying a statistical test. Next, you complete Assignment 1, applying that test using datasets that are provided in the context of a research question that you pose. As you master the skills related to the test, including how to run the test in SPSS, you engage with your peers in the Collaboration Lab. The final activity in most weeks, including this week, is an Article Critique, in which you search the Walden Library for research that applies the test you studied that week.

The practice of quantitative research not only involves statistical calculations and formulas but also involves the understanding of statistical techniques related to real-world applications. You might not become a quantitative researcher nor use statistical methods in your profession but as a consumer, citizen, and scholar-practitioner, it will be important for you to become a critical consumer of research, which will empower you to read, interpret, and evaluate the strength of claims made in scholarly material and daily news.

For this Assignment, you will critically evaluate a scholarly article related to moderation.

To prepare

• Review the Article Critique Assignment Guide in the Walden Library, listed in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Search the Walden Library for a quantitative article that applies moderation testing.

The Assignment

Write a 2 page critique of the research you found in the Walden Library that includes responses to the following prompts:

• Why did the authors use moderation in their multiple regression model?
• Do you think moderation is the most appropriate choice? Why or why not?
• Did the authors display the results in a figure or table?
• Does the results table stand alone? In other words, are you able to interpret the study from it? Why or why not?

During recent meetings with your sexual assault survivor group, you have noticed some potentially counter-productive behaviors from some of the members. One member always wants to sit next to you. When you speak, she nods her head and, at times, she repeats your very words. Two members always sit together and have side conversations. You have not said anything yet to them, but you feel it is distracting to the others. When you ask them to participate, they both provide little input and often just shrug their shoulders. One member talks at length during every session, forcing you to interrupt her by asking others to contribute to the discussion. You need to set boundaries with this person or she will continue to dominate the entire session.

Behaviors in group settings often are manifestations of the roles members play based on their personality. While groups have many benefits for clients, including validation, support, comfort, and education, they also can highlight some personalities and behaviors that might be challenging for you to manage as the group leader. How might you respond to these behaviors and roles? How might you redirect these behaviors and reposition the member roles for the benefit of the group?

For this Discussion, review this week’s Learning Resources. Search the Walden Library for an article dealing with group roles in social work practice. Then, consider the group member role that might be most challenging to you as a group leader and why. Finally, think about skills you might use for overcoming the challenges that member role presents.

Post a 300 word description of the group member role that might be most challenging to you as a group leader and explain why. Then, explain a skill you might use for overcoming that challenge.

Support your posts and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Using the Role Play Script Template provided in the week 5 resources, provide a description of the role-play and a draft of your script. 

Submit the Role Play Script, which should include:

Your role play script should include:

• A description of the fictional agency setting and types of services provided at this agency.
• A description of the client system (depending on the client level you selected—micro, mezzo or macro).
• An explanation of the presenting concern
• A description of the client session scene
• Identification of possible practice skills you may use for working with this client system
• A draft script which outlines a scene that includes:
  • Greeting the client (for the first time)
  • Demonstrating effective attending skills
  • Discussing agency services and client expectations
  • Deciding if the agency and worker can help
  • Offering agency and worker services to the client
  • Orienting the client to the helping process, including:
    • A discussion of confidentiality
    • A discussion of social work intern’s role

references:

Kirst-Ashman, K. K., &  Hull, G. H., Jr. (2018). Understanding generalist practice (8th  ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

• Chapter 4, "Skills for Working with Organizations and Communities” (pp. 138-174)
• Chapter 5, "Engagement and Assessment in Generalist Practice" (pp. 175-222)

 Knee, R. T., & Folsom, J. (2012). Bridging the crevasse between direct practice social work and management by increasing the transferability of core skills. Administration in Social Work, 36(4), 390–408. 

According to the Council on Social Work Education, Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice:

Social workers understand that human rights and social justice, as well as social welfare and services, are mediated by policy and its implementation at the federal, state, and local levels. Social workers understand the history and current structures of social policies and services, the role of policy in service delivery, and the role of practice in policy development. Social workers understand their role in policy development and implementation within their practice settings at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels and they actively engage in policy practice to effect change within those settings. Social workers recognize and understand the historical, social, cultural, economic, organizational, environmental, and global influences that affect social policy. They are also knowledgeable about policy formulation, analysis, implementation, and evaluation. Social workers:

• Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services;
• Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services;
• Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

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

To prepare: Working with your field instructor, identify, evaluate, and discuss policies established by the local, state, and federal government (within the last five years) that affect the day to day operations of the field placement agency (Georgia Department of Family and Children Services).

The Assignment (1-2 pages):

• Describe the policies and their impact on the field agency.
• Propose specific recommendations regarding how you, as a social work intern, and the agency can advocate for policies pertaining to advancing social justice for the agency and the clients it serves.

Discussion 1: Reflecting on Bias

Researcher bias is a critical concern for the field of qualitative research. Qualitative researchers may allow their subjective view(s) to cloud or distort an accurate response from an interviewee or to inadvertently drive a participant to a predetermined conclusion, thus negatively impacting the findings. Therefore, it is critical for qualitative researchers to understand, identify, and address any biases they might have regarding the topic of investigation. It would be impossible to remove all bias because you are a human being. Rather, one mitigates bias as best as one can. Mitigating bias can be demonstrated via using an interview protocol, member checking, data saturation, and other strategies to limit the use of one personal lens during the data collection process of your study.

To prepare for this Discussion, consider what you have read about bias, as well as your experiences as an independent scholar and doctoral researcher thus far. Reflect on any preconceived biases you might have that would impact your ability to remain objective.

By Day 3

Post an evaluation of ethical considerations for independent scholars within the doctoral research process. In your evaluation, do the following:

· Briefly describe your problem statement and the topic you have chosen for your individual Doctoral Study.

· Analyze any potential biases, assumptions, and attitudes that may impact your Doctoral Study, including how you identified these issues.

· Explain potential strategies for addressing and limiting the negative impact of your own biases, assumptions, and attitudes on your study. Be sure to provide scholarly examples to support your explanation.

Be sure to support your work with a minimum of two specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and one or more additional scholarly sources.

Refer to the Week 8 Discussion 1 Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this rubric to assess your work.