Course Objectives: Students Will Develop Skills In Selection

Course Objectives Students Will Develop Skills In 1 Selecting And

Develop a research proposal for an intervention study or program evaluation, including an introduction with problem statement, description of the program, agency environment, factors influencing evaluation, and logic model; a literature review summarizing 8-10 relevant articles with critical analysis; clearly defined study aims and hypotheses; detailed methods outlining study design, sample, measurement, data collection, and analysis plan. The proposal should adhere to an 8-10 page length and demonstrate application of concepts learned in the course.

Paper For Above instruction

The increasing emphasis on evidence-based practice in social work necessitates a robust understanding of program evaluation and research methodologies. Developing a comprehensive research proposal not only facilitates understanding of intervention processes and outcomes but also equips practitioners to critically assess their programs, ultimately enhancing service quality and client outcomes. This paper outlines the essential components involved in constructing an effective research proposal for evaluating a social service program, exemplified through the evaluation of CAMBA.org, a nonprofit organization aiming to improve its service delivery amidst staffing challenges.

The primary goal of this proposed research is to examine whether staffing shortages impede the organization's ability to provide quality customer service. To understand this, the introduction of the proposal will articulate the problem statement, describing the context of staffing issues at CAMBA.org and their possible impact on service quality. It will include a detailed description of the intervention or program under evaluation, emphasizing the theory of change—how staffing levels are hypothesized to influence customer service quality. This theory links staff sufficiency directly to organizational responsiveness, service efficiency, and client satisfaction.

Additionally, the context of the agency will be characterized by an overview of its organizational environment, including receptivity from administration and staff, stakeholder engagement, and organizational culture factors that might influence the evaluation process. The factors influencing evaluation, like organizational readiness and resource availability, will be considered, ensuring that the evaluation design is feasible and relevant. A logic model will visually depict the relationships between resources, activities, outputs, and desired outcomes, providing clarity and guiding the evaluation process.

The literature review will synthesize findings from 8-10 peer-reviewed articles related to staffing issues in social service organizations, their impact on service outcomes, and best practices for program evaluation. Articles will be critically appraised considering their objectives, sample characteristics, research design, variables, measurement instruments, and findings. This review will identify gaps, such as limited research on staffing's direct impact on client satisfaction in nonprofit settings, justifying the need for this study.

The study aims and hypotheses are clearly articulated to test the core assumption that staffing shortages diminish service quality. Specific objectives include measuring client satisfaction, staff workload, and service efficiency, hypothesizing that lower staffing levels correlate with decreased client satisfaction and increased staff burnout.

The methods section elaborates on the study design—likely a cross-sectional survey or quasi-experimental design—targeting clients and staff at CAMBA.org. Eligibility criteria define the inclusion of current clients and staff involved in service delivery during a specific period. Sampling strategies could involve stratified random sampling to ensure representation across different program units, with recruitment facilitated by organizational administrators.

Measurement strategies include defining independent variables such as staffing levels and dependent variables like client satisfaction scores, staff burnout, and perceived service quality. Validated instruments, such as the Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and program-specific fidelity checklists, will assess outcomes. Fidelity will be monitored through adherence checklists to ensure the intervention's consistency.

Data collection procedures will involve training staff to administer surveys, obtain informed consent ethically, and ensure confidentiality. The researcher will oversee data collection timelines and coordinate with organization staff to maximize participation and data quality. The data analysis plan includes descriptive and inferential statistics—such as correlation and regression analyses—to test the relationships between staffing levels and outcomes, adjusting for confounders like client demographics and program type.

Ultimately, this research proposal demonstrates the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical evaluation skills essential for social work practitioners committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision making. By systematically investigating the staffing-service quality link at CAMBA.org, the study intends to generate actionable insights that can inform organizational policies and enhance service delivery.

References

Cabassa, L. J. (2016). Implementation science: Why it matters for the future of social work. Journal of Social Work, 52(S1). doi:10.1080/.2016.

Fraser, M. W., & Galinsky, M. J. (2010). Steps in intervention research: Designing and developing social programs. Research on Social Work Practice, 20(5). doi/pdf/10.1177/

Grinnell, R. M., Gabor, P. A., & Unrau, Y. A. (2016). Program evaluation for social workers: Foundations of evidence-based programs (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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Rodriguez, M. N., Baumann, A. A., & Schwartz, A. L. (2011). Cultural adaptation of an evidence-based intervention: From theory to practice in a Latino/a community context. American Journal of Community Psychology, 47.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Developing an effective evaluation report: Setting the course for effective program evaluation. Atlanta, GA.

Grinnell, G., Gabor, P., & Unrau, Y. (2016). Chapters 1-3. In Program evaluation for social workers: Foundations of evidence-based programs (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Lane, D. (n.d.). Online statistics education: A multimedia course of study. Rice University.

Chan, C., & Holosko, M. J. (2017). The utilization of social media for youth outreach engagement: A case study. Qualitative Social Work: Research And Practice, 16(5).