Are Social Work papers different from papers you will be writing in other courses? Of course not! All papers
require the same basic steps. Perhaps the biggest challenge in writing a paper for your Social Work class is
in identifying evidence (evidence based research) and understanding the arguments.
Social Workers look for answers to influence human behavior. For example, you could be interested in learning
why so many women are victims of Domestic Violence. If you are a Social Worker, you'll want to observe and/or
record the behaviors of women that have been victims of Domestic Violence. You will also want to
observe and/or record the behaviors of women that have not been the victims of Domestic Violence.
What are the differences between the two groups? You‘ll want to gather quantitive (numerical) data,
as opposed to qualitative (feelings;good, bad, nice) data. Your arguments will be formed after you examine
the evidence you have uncovered and checked to make sure your evidence meets the standards of
scientific research.
Before You Begin To Write (Research)
It is always a good idea to pick a topic that interests you. Professors say that students write much better papers
when they can choose a topic that excites them. Often you will be able to choose your own topic, but many
times your topic will be assigned by a professor. After you have the general idea for your topic, do preliminary
research.
First search the Internet for information that might lead you to definitions or to leads on the best researchers in
your field. Read articles from Peer Reviewed journals that you have found using the library’s online databases.
Find some books on the subject in the library catalog and scan the Tables of Contents for information you
will want to use. Take notes and remember you will want to cite sources in your paper.
Now, you will probably discover that you'll need to narrow your topic. Most people have a tendency to select too
broad a topic and end up drowning in information. This step is tough for most students. Remember: you're
not alone! A Librarian or your Professor may be the best resource for you to contact about narrowing your topic.
A Librarian can show you how to narrow your search and give you pointers to sources you may have overlooked.
The Librarian will also tell you talk to your professor before you start writing so that you are both “on the
same page.”
Evaluating materials is more difficult, and more discipline-specific. You'll need to ask yourself the following questions:
- How thorough was the author's research?
- Is the methodology sound?
- Is the argument, pro or con, clearly and convincingly presented?
- What are its strengths?
- What are its weaknesses?
- Does this work make a significant contribution to the field?
If you're asked to review not just a single article or book, but to do a review of the literature, be sure to ask these
comparative questions:
- Do the articles generally agree or are there major differences of opinion?
- If they do not agree, what are the differences?
- Which article makes the most sense to you and presents its case most effectively?
- Again, does this article make a significant contribution to the field, and what is its contribution?
If you are going to perform a survey as part of your research put a lot, repeat, a lot, of thought into the
survey design.
Be sure you have good question(s). Forming a question is tricky, because your question can't be too broad or
too vague. Remember, you are looking for quantative data, data that can be manipulated with math. For
example, the question: "What caused your Spouse Abuse?" will draw a wide variety of responses that you
may not have thought of. These unexpected responses will be impossible to quantify.
How do you focus a question? First, consider your hypothesis. What assumptions do you have about
Spouse Abuse?
Perhaps you hope to argue that Spouse Abuse is caused by drug abuse. Once you're clear about
your hypothesis, you can begin to design the specific questions you need to prove it.
Don't ask too many questions! A few focused questions are better than many generalized ones. Be sure
you choose a random sample size that's large enough to give you a good quantity of responses
(remember not everyone will answer your survey). Give quite a bit of thought to the composition of
your sample group. Is it racially balanced?
Be sure to make note of how you randomized the sample. You did remember to randomize your
sample. Didn’t you?
Remember you will be using human subjects in your research (survey): if you are conducting research where
"human subjects" are involved, you must get approval from the IRB, before you start to collect data. For more
information on this process, consult your professor.
Writing Advice
Educators say that the biggest problem with the student papers is that they are not analytical enough.
Most students merely summarize information from other sources, or review information in superficial ways.
When you sit down to write a paper you should think like a researcher. If you're doing a review of the literature
on a certain topic, you'll want to begin by considering the writers biases. How does the writer feel about
this topic? Take notes! Is he or she trying to prove something or is he/she letting the data speak for itself?
Take notes! In other words, an article on Anarchism written by an avowed anarchist will have a different
point of view than one written by someone who is an advocate of Socialism. Take notes!
Now you can analyze the arguments presented by the author. Use all the tools at your disposal; ask yourself if
the writer's arguments, and methods used, serve to prove or disprove his/her theses. Critique the
theoretical models used by the writer, show their strengths and weaknesses. Ask pointed (not general)
questions of the materials you have read. These questions will often lead you to a position of your own -
and to a great paper topic. Take notes!
