Research-informed practice and practice-informed research

1.6 Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research (pb a, b)
The organization that accredits social work programs, and allows you to become a licensed social worker after
graduation, is the Council on Social Work Education. It uses what are called EPAS, short for Educational Policy
and Accreditation Standards. This course reflects the following standard:
That a student is competent in terms of the EPAS is determined through assessment of various Practice
Behaviors (PBs). This course reflects the following PBs:
Practice Behavior a) Use practice experience to inform scientific inquiry.
Practice Behavior b) Use research evidence to inform practice.
In this course, five major assignments build toward a final paper, the Signature Assignment: Research
Proposal.
1) Area of Interest, Background, Theory and Literature Review
2) Objectives (Includes Goals and Research Questions or Hypotheses)
3) Research Methods (Includes Sampling Strategy, Potential Risks, Activities involving human subjects)
4) Measurements (Includes Dependent, Independent, and Control Variables, as well as Surveys to be used)
5) Analysis
The paper should be 20 pages long, and consist of the work done throughout the course, formed into one
seamless paper with the above Sections. Paper must be completed using APA 6th edition format, Times New
Roman 12 point font, and be “mechanically” appropriate for graduate work (see rubric). It should also clearly
demonstrate the student’s competence in carrying out the Practice Behaviors.