Research Knowledge Assessment: A Study of MSW Students' Acquisition and Retention of Research Knowledge. (3rd July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Secret, Mary; Abell, Melissa L.; Ward, Christopher J.; Charles, Jennifer L. K.; Perkins, Nathan H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of social work education. Volume 53:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 480
• Page End: 494
• Publication Date: 2017-07-03
• Subjects: Social work education -- Periodicals; Social work education -- United States -- Periodicals; 361.305
• DOI: 10.1080/10437797.2016.1266977
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-7797

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In response to the need for meaningful data about student learning in research courses, we developed and implemented the Research Knowledge Assessment instrument to measure MSW student acquisition, application, and retention of research knowledge over a 3-year period across the research curriculum. Initial findings indicated that students entered the foundation research methods course with little research knowledge, gained some knowledge during the course but not at an acceptable level, and lost 22% of the gain by the beginning of the concentration research course. The greatest knowledge acquisition was in sampling and the least in theory and question development. Knowledge acquisition was associated with not having a BSW and not having adjunct faculty as a research instructor.