About 15 Years Ago Before Evidence-Based Practice Became A ✓ Solved

About 15 years ago, before evidence-based practice became a

About 15 years ago, before evidence-based practice became a standard to which to aspire, a professor found an article describing a treatment program for substance-abusing African-American women that incorporated their children and aimed to preserve their families. The program was built around principles of African-centered theory. The professor thought the program appeared well designed and heartily urged students to study the article and possibly find ways to imitate the program ideas, if not the program itself. A few years later, the professor, having continued her education, especially in the area of research, searched for a follow-up on the program, perhaps reporting outcomes and evidence of effectiveness.

No research evidence on the program appears in the scholarly journals. In fact, no evidence that the program continues to exist at this time has been found. The fact that what appeared to be a promising practice approach did not endure or have the opportunity to benefit from evaluation is unfortunate. To prepare for this Discussion, read the Poitier et al. study and then revisit what you have learned about your assigned step of the research process. Consider what would be the most important information to share with your colleagues about that step.

Together the class will create a research plan for evaluating the rite of passage program described in the assigned article. Post an explanation of your assigned step of the research process and how you would complete that step. Here we are just about to begin the final Week in SOCW. It is my hope that you know so much more now about Social Work Practice Research. What you have gained over the past weeks will set you on a strong foundation for evidence-based practice and practice-based research.

As in previous weeks, Week 11 discussion post instructions are included in the weekly course content. There are 10 sections of the research process. I have assigned one to two students to each step of the process for discussion. Please make your initial post on your assigned step ONLY. Your response can be made to a classmate of your choice.

This is not a group assignment.

Paper For Above Instructions

The foundation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in social work lies in a systematic approach to research that not only emphasizes the use of empirical evidence but also enriches the understanding of social issues through a culturally sensitive lens. As we focus on the research methods pertinent to the evaluation of the rite of passage program for African-American women facing substance abuse challenges, I will detail the methodological step assigned to me: research design.

Understanding the Importance of Research Design

Research design serves as the blueprint for conducting research and plays an essential role in ensuring the validity and reliability of the data collected. An effective research design aligns the objectives of the study with the methodology employed, thereby facilitating the accurate assessment of the program's efficacy. Within the context of the rite of passage program described in the Poitier et al. study, choosing the appropriate research design is crucial to obtaining credible results that can inform future practice.

Choosing the Right Research Design

For this evaluation, I propose utilizing a mixed-methods research design, which combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitatively, we can use structured surveys pre- and post-intervention to measure changes in outcomes such as substance use, familial relationships, and parental involvement. These metrics will be vital in assessing the program's direct impact. Qualitatively, conducting interviews and focus groups with participants can provide deeper insights into their experiences and perspectives, helping to contextualize the quantitative data.

Implementation of the Research Design

To execute this mixed-methods approach, we will follow several key steps:

1. Define the Population and Sample: The research will target substance-abusing African-American women and their children. Understanding the demographics of our sample population will ensure an accurate representation of the group we intend to help.
2. Recruitment: Engaging with local community centers, health clinics, and social service agencies will be necessary to recruit participants effectively. Collaboration with these entities will facilitate trust and encourage willingness to participate.
3. Develop Instruments: Create validated instruments for collecting quantitative data, such as standardized questionnaires that measure substance use and family dynamics. Alongside this, semi-structured interview guides will be developed for qualitative data collection.

Data Collection and Analysis

For data collection, we will conduct pre-intervention surveys and follow-up assessments three to six months post-intervention. For qualitative interviews, we will conduct thematic analysis to extract key themes and patterns from participants’ responses, providing a rich narrative that complements our quantitative findings.

Data analysis will involve statistical techniques to analyze survey results, assessing the significance of the interventions on measured outcomes. This quantitative analysis will then be integrated with qualitative findings, providing a holistic view of the program’s impact.

Ethical Considerations

As with any research involving human subjects, ethical considerations must be paramount. Informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw at any moment will be explicitly communicated to all participants. Additionally, the research design will be submitted for approval to an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure compliance with ethical standards.

Conclusion

The propose research design for evaluating the rite of passage program aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of its effectiveness. By employing a mixed-methods approach, we can gather both quantitative and qualitative data that will empower us to understand not only whether the program works but also how it impacts the lives of the participants. The lessons learned from this evaluation could serve as a critical guide for future interventions aimed at supporting substance-abusing African-American women and their families.

References

• Poitier, V. L., Niliwaambieni, M., & Rowe, C. L. (n.d.). A Rite of Passage Approach Designed to Preserve the Families of Substance-Abusing African American Women.
• Lehmann, P., & Simmons, L. (2014). Evidence-based practice: A comprehensive approach to intervention. Social Work, 59(3).
• Ferguson, K. M. (2017). The importance of family-centered practice in substance abuse treatment. Journal of Substance Use, 22(4), 401-406.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide
• Chavkin, N. F., & Zuckerman, R. (2015). Examining the intersection of substance abuse and family dynamics. Journal of Family Issues, 36(10), 1382-1403.
• Wong, M., & Simmonds, L. (2019). Culturally responsive methods in social work research. Social Work Research, 43(3), 177-186.
• Sharma, M., & Madan, F. (2018). Impact evaluation of family involvement in substance abuse treatment. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 13(1), 1-10.
• Smith, E. S., & Smith, G. H. (2016). Integrating qualitative and quantitative methods in social work research. Qualitative Social Work, 15(1), 36-54.
• Walker, R., & Harris, K. (2021). Community engagement in social work research: Strategies and lessons learned. Journal of Community Practice, 29(2), 167-184.