Transcript Overview of Scholarship Methods pptx (837kb)

Brown Bag Session:
Overview of
Scholarship Methods
Randy Basham Ph.D.
March 5th, 2012
University of Texas at Arlington
School of Social Work
Center for Research and Community Outreach
Randall E. Basham Ph.D.© Pending 2012
Brown Bag Presentation
O Part 1: Scholarship and Research in
Social Work
Scholarship and Research in Social Work
(Reviewing an earlier in house definition)
O As a professional practice discipline, social work
maintains an interest in an exceptionally wide
range of human conditions and social
phenomena, as well as in interventions and
policies to aid individuals, families, groups,
organizations, and communities. Scholarship to
support the profession’s need to know is
similarly broad. The profession values the
development and application of theory, ethical
frameworks, models for policy analysis, and
other conceptual scholarship.
Scholarship and Research in Social Work
(Reviewing an earlier in house definition)
O Social work researchers explore subjects of interest
using methods that include: case analyses of human
systems of all sizes; single system designs; surveys of
populations or samples thereof; secondary analyses
of administrative data; analyses of public databases;
evaluations of social work interventions; action
research; systematic reviews or meta-analyses of
research; qualitative studies, and quantitative
research. Because social work research takes place
outside of controlled environments, it very rarely
employs a strict scientific method that demands
random assignment, control groups, and blind
assessments.
In the words of research methods experts
Allen Ruben and Earl Babbie (2005)
O Most social work researchers do not fit the traditional
stereotypes of academic researchers. They aim not
to produce knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but to
provide the practical knowledge that social workers
need to solve everyday practice problems. Ultimately,
they aim to give the field the information it needs to
alleviate human suffering and promote social welfare.
Thus, social work research seeks to accomplish the
same humanistic goals as social work practice; and
like practice, social work research is a
compassionate, problem solving, and practical
endeavor. (2005, p. 4-5)
Reference: Rubin, A. & Babbie, E.R. (2005). Research
methods for social work, 5th edition. Belmont, CA:
Brooks/Cole.
Scholarship Rigor in Social Work
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Social work as a discipline is concerned with both the academic rigor of
scholarship and its professional application. Relevant indicators of
academic rigor may include: successful peer review of papers, funding
proposals, or manuscripts; publication in highly regarded outlets for
scholarship in social work and related or allied disciplines; citation of
published work by other scholars, and other indicators of rigor for which
a case can be made. Relevant indicators of the professional
application of scholarship may include: development and use of
theories, models, or findings in the delivery of social services or the
training of social workers or allied practitioners; development of
interdisciplinary or inter-professional applications for scholarship; use
of scholarship in influencing or carrying out social policy, or formal
acceptance or recognition of scholarly contributions by practice groups
and organizations. Candidates for promotion in the School of Social
Work are expected to make the case for the academic rigor and
professional application of the work presented for review and
evaluation.
Scholarship Rigor in Social Work
O For example, candidates for promotion and tenure may defend
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the impact and rigor of their work by demonstrating:
•That published scholarship is disseminated in highly
regarded publication sources within the profession, or relevant
external sources associated with the diverse interest areas of
the profession
•That published scholarship is being cited and used by other
scholars in the profession and allied professions,
•That published or unpublished scholarship or research
efforts have been disseminated and adopted through large
scale regional, national, or international service delivery
entities
•That either scholarship, research applications, or curricular
efforts have been adopted and utilized by social service
organizations, professional training associations, educational
institutions, or governments.
Brown Bag Presentation
O Part 2: Overview of Scholarship
Methods
Assessing Strengths and
Weaknesses
O Education Barriers –Needed training, mentoring and skill
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development
Information Barriers –Calls for papers, awareness of outlets
and procedures (guidelines)
Technical Barriers-Computing and authoring upgrades and
software
Personal Barriers- Overextending, social and personal
commitments and others
Economic Barriers –Supports and funding for scholarship,
research and dissemination
Workload Barriers-Differential supports in departments, credit
sharing
Cognitive Barriers-Thinking serially, deadline pressures,
creativity demands, energy
Journals (Traditional)
O Selecting Appropriate Journals- In the center,
or on the periphery
O Rankings and Citation Indexing (Including
Google Scholar)- Academic importance
O Acceptance Rate Documentation- Indicators
of journal rigor
O Waiting time to publication- Don’t believe the
publishers posted estimates.
Books
O Prospectus and contracting- knowing an
acquisitions editor, cultivating publishers
O Co-authored, multi-authored, contracts
royalties, equity issues, reliability of
partner(s)
O Edited, call for chapter proposals,
contracting, reviewing, verifying permissions,
style issues
O Book Chapters- responding to a call, versus
invited
Digital or Multimedia
O Online Journals and other sources- faster
dissemination and global access, variable
quality
O CD Rom-software, curriculum development
or support, teaching resources
O Video and Audio, production expenses,
marketing issues, distribution and copyright
Conference Dissemination
O Presentations-PowerPoint talks
O Papers- Presentation limitation and preparation
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Symposia- senior leader, topically focused
presentations
O Posters- Brief paper or digital display of work to
generate discussion or interest
O Roundtables/ Panels- Group of equal experts
with a moderator
O Proceedings: published –may be weighted
similarly to a chapter, though often peer
reviewed
Brief Articles
O Encyclopedia entries- opportunities to define
your field
O Book reviews- a service, but keeps your
name in the market
Alternate Publications
O Grants- Federal grant applications treated as
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publications
Manuscripts-Produced from funded projects
Technical reports- Summaries annual or
final treated as publications
Scales and Instruments
Patents (Applies to a process)
Non Peer Reviewed Works
O Articles- Required of officers for newsletters
and professional magazines
O Editorials- Voluntary or required
O Program manuals, etc.- Agency based works
with limited dissemination
The cutting room floorO When it doesn’t get published (occurs
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frequently enough)
When it doesn't get cited
Alternatives to citation
The shelf life of published scholarship
The publication immortality of scholars
Discussion
O Keeping it all in perspective!
O Planning your publishing career.