Review and integrate the feedback received on your example research elements submitted as Week 3 through Week 7 assignments. Ensure each of your elements is aligned, and make revisions as necessary.

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Development of Research Foundations

In Weeks 1-7 of this course, you developed the foundational research elements required for the initial steps in a research study. Note that these same foundational research elements will also be used as components for a dissertation study.

In this two-part assignment, you will:

  1. Develop a research paper by adding      background and contribution to knowledge sections to your      existing foundational research elements document, and:
  2. Reflect on the SPL model discussions throughout the      first four courses of your program to convey how the SPL model      provides structure for your proposed research.

Part A: Research Foundations Paper (15 points)

Review and integrate the feedback received on your example research elements submitted as Week 3 through Week 7 assignments. Ensure each of your elements is aligned, and make revisions as necessary.

Add a background section and a contribution to knowledge section to your culminating research paper. The background section should provide an overview of the topic, and the contribution to knowledge section should describe your study’s potential contributions to the body of literature. Lay your document out using the following outline:

  • Background
  • Problem Statement
  • Purpose
  • Contribution to Knowledge
  • Research Questions
  • Theoretical or Conceptual      Framework

Part B: Reflecting on the SPL Model (5 points)

Reflect on the SPL model discussions throughout the ACCESS sequence (DOC/700, LDR/711A, and DOC/705r).

Develop a 500- to 700-word addendum to your a research foundations paper that conveys how the SPL model provides structure for your proposed study. Discuss specific moments of learning that occurred during DOC/700, LDR/711A, and DOC/705r that underlie your reflections.

Review your completed document against the information in Rubrics A and B.

What did you learn from your professional interview that helped you clarify your vision and the competencies necessary for your success?

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Competencies in Psychology

As mentioned in the unit studies, you have covered a wide range of competencies essential to your success as a professional in psychology and a graduate learner. For this discussion, reflect on your career exploration in the unit studies and the competencies most relevant to your vision as a psychology practitioner-scholar. In your post, respond to the following questions:

  • What skills and abilities are most critical to your success in your psychology specialization?
  • What did you learn from your professional interview that helped you clarify your vision and the competencies necessary for your success?
  • What relevant information did you gather from the Practitioner Resources tab in the PSY5002 & PSY5005 Research Guide?
  • What additional information do you need to clarify your vision as a professional in the field of psychology?

Psychology Competencies

Throughout the course, you worked toward establishing a vision for your future career in psychology based on your passions, interests, and aspirations in the field. You have also covered a wide range of competencies relevant to your success as a psychology professional and graduate learner.

Workplace competencies are capabilities needed to accomplish tasks that are central to one’s profession. They comprise critical skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Understanding the competencies that are critical to your success is essential for preparing yourself to become a practitioner-scholar in your specialized field. You may know that education in such competencies is fundamental to Capella’s mission and philosophy. The syllabus of each course lists the competencies that learners will acquire and demonstrate in the course. At the levels of programs and specializations, these competencies are generalized as learner outcomes.

Investigate the following resources to identify the competencies needed for the specialization you are most interested in.

Following are the program outcomes for psychology and clinical psychology:

  • Determine the scientific merit of the professional literature.
  • Apply theoretical and research findings from the discipline of psychology to professional and academic activities.
  • Apply ethical principles and standards of psychology to academic and professional activities.
  • Embrace, respect, and respond to individual differences and diversity in the practice of psychology.
  • Communicate psychological concepts effectively using the professional standards of the discipline.

To find the outcomes for a specialization:

Visit the PsychologyJobs.com Web site and browse job openings by category or search with keywords related to your specialization. Make note of the competencies, requirements, and qualifications that employers desire for these positions.

Use these sources to develop a comprehensive list of about 10 competencies you will need for the specialization you are interested in. Be sure to note the sources of your information.

Reminder: Interviewing a Psychology Professional

If you have not already done so, as soon as possible, you should complete your interview with a professional in psychology who works in the specialization you are most interested in. Your questions should be formulated to find out about the nature of work in in the specialization, and what competencies, requirements and qualifications are needed for your success, and clarify appropriate goals and milestones. You will use this information in this unit’s discussion and in your final assignment.

Describe the procedures you intend to use to analyze the data produced from your instruments, and how that would answer the hypotheses (research questions).

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Research Proposal

Develop an original research study proposal and describe it in detail in a 10-12 page (APA style) paper. Include at least 10 scholarly references in your proposal. Use the following outline as a guide when writing your paper. Be sure to include detailed information on all of the topics listed below and use headings to organize your thoughts.

1. Statement of the problem: Introduce the reader to the problem to be studied. Provide sufficient background information such that the reader has a grasp of the situation and its importance.

2. Review of the literature: Provide the reader with a review of most relevant literature, beginning with general information, and narrowing the focus to the specific issues under consideration in the study.

3. Purpose of the study: Identify why the study that you are proposing is needed.

4. Hypotheses or research questions: List them as simple statements. Make sure they are measurable.

5. Definition of terms: Operationally define terms the average reader may not know, or that have a specific meaning in your study.

6. Assumptions: Identify issues you assume to be true in order for your study to be valid.

7. Research methods and procedures

a. Population: Describe the population sample to be studied

b. Procedure: Discuss how the study will be carried out.

c. Instruments: Describe the specific measurements (instruments) to be used to test each hypothesis (research question).

d. Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you intend to use to analyze the data produced from your instruments, and how that would answer the hypotheses (research questions).

e. Discussion: Since you are only proposing (not conducting) a research study, you will not have results; however, you can discuss potential outcomes. Review your hypothesis and discuss how this study will address it. For example, if the results allow you to reject the null hypothesis, what are the implications? What would happen if you fail to reject the null hypothesis? Discuss the implications of your proposed study, the limitations of your study, and future research ideas and directions.

8. Implications: Provide a brief summary of your proposal and a powerful statement as to how your study would advance the field.

9. References: Include at least 10 scholarly sources in your Reference section. Be sure to use APA style throughout your paper.

Submit a Kaltura video of yourself discussing the client from the perspective of feminist theory. Your video should be no longer than 5 minutes. Although this is a professional presentation, it is not a formal presentation as in a speech. Imagine that you are discussing your case with a group of peers in a meeting.

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Assignment: Application of Feminist Theory to a Case Study

This week your theoretical orientation is feminist theory. You will use the same case study that you chose in Week 2. Use the “Dissecting a Theory and Its Application to a Case Study” worksheet to help you dissect the theory. You do not need to submit this handout. It is a tool for you to use to dissect the theory and then you can employ the information in the table to complete your assignment.

To upload your media to this Assignment, use the Kaltura Media option from the mashup tool drop-down menu. Refer to the Kaltura Media Uploader area in the course navigation menu for more information about how to upload media to the course.

By Day 7

Submit a Kaltura video of yourself discussing the client from the perspective of feminist theory. Your video should be no longer than 5 minutes.

  • Although this is a professional presentation, it is not a formal presentation as in a speech. Imagine that you are discussing your case with a group of peers in a meeting. To verbally present a case can be challenging—but it is also a skill for which practice can relieve anxiety and result in improvement. This will give you an opportunity to practice how to deliver material in a professional manner.
  • You can have notes in front of you to help you remember your points.
  • However, your video does need to be professional. In other words, dress professionally, maintain eye contact as if you were speaking in front of your colleagues, and finally be sure to record yourself in a room that is quiet and where no one interrupts you.

Your video presentation should include the following:

  • In 1 to 2 sentences, identify and describe the problem to be worked on in your chosen case study.
  • In 1 to 2 sentences, explain how feminist theory you are utilizing defines and explains the cause of the problem.
  • In 1 to 2 sentences, use feminist theory to describe the role of the social worker to facilitate change in the case study.
  • In the assessment phase, identify 2 assessment questions you will ask to explore what the client’s goals are and how they will get there.
    • Remember, feminist theory should be driving the assessment.
  • Describe two interventions to address the problem and explain how the clients will implement the interventions.
    • Remember, feminist theory should be driving the interventions.
  • In 2 to 3 sentences, discuss how you would evaluate if one of the interventions you identified is effective with the client.
  • Explain how, specifically, you will set the tone throughout your work with the client to reduce the hierarchical relationship and make it more collaborative.
  • Evaluate one strength and one limitation of feminist theory in working with the client.

Be sure to:

  • Identify and correctly reference the case study you have chosen.
  • Speak clearly.

 

Required Readings

Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Chapter 9: Empowerment Approach to Social Work Treatment (pp. 142–165)
Chapter 11: Feminist Theory and Social Work Practice (pp. 191–208)

National Association of Social Workers. (2017). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English

Document: Theory Into Practice: Four Social Work Case Studies (PDF)

Required Media

Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2014). Counseling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.psychotherapy.net.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/stream/waldenu/video?vid=277

This week, watch the “Feminist Therapy” segment by clicking the applicable link under the “Chapters” tab.

Note: You will access this video from the Walden Library databases.

Laureate Education. (2017b). Theories knowledge check, part 2 [Interactive media]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Document: Theories Knowledge Check, Part 2 Transcript (PDF)