Two pieces of evidence that demonstrate knowledge, values, skills, and/or cognitive & affective processes in Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice:

- One from your practicum experience (identify learning activity(ies) that best exemplify the competency)

- One from Social Work Research Methods (5536) or Program Evaluation (5550)

A paragraph rationalization for each piece of evidence chosen.  

Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

Social workers understand quantitative and qualitative research methods and their respective roles in advancing a science of social work and in evaluating their practice. Social workers know the principles of logic, scientific inquiry, and culturally informed and ethical approaches to building knowledge. Social workers understand that evidence that informs practice derives from multi-disciplinary sources and multiple ways of knowing. They also understand the processes for translating research findings into effective practice.

Social workers:

• use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research;
• apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings; and
• use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.

Practicum Example:

“Weekly, I will observe other shelters to gauge best practices and effective intervention skills. I will present this to my field supervisor and together we will brainstorm possible advancements in programming evidenced by notes in my practicum journal and supervision notes.”

It has been a huge benefit to be doing my practicum at PRIDE Haven while also working at Synergy’s Domestic Violence Center. I have been able to bring things I’ve learned from each shelter back to the other. PRIDE Haven is in its first year of being open, so my knowledge of shelter infrastructure has been essential to helping improve PRIDE and help it grow and thrive. On the flip side, my ability to focus solely on interacting with clients at PRIDE Haven and the knowledge I’ve gained about the houseless population in KC has helped me grow as a person and as a social worker. I’ve been able to bring a new level of understanding to my clients at the DVC and I have wider net of resources for them

Program Eval Example: 

I don’t think I could narrow my example down to just one assignment, as Program Evaluation has kind of one on-going assignment that builds throughout the semester. This course has done a great job of giving an in-depth look on what it takes to evaluate a program or service and really get down to what is working in a program, what isn’t, and what is necessary to improve it. It has been really insightful to form these questions and apply them to my practicum because it has provided me with a new critical lens to view programs with.