SSS 756: ASSIGNMENT #4 1 GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENT #4: EVALUATION PROPOSAL PART II* * Papers are to be formatted in APA style. Please include a cover and reference page. Developed by Elisabeth Lean, Ph.D. (CUA/NCSSS_2018) Purpose: Part I (problem formulation paper) of your evaluation proposal undergirds Part II. In this second paper, you will describe your evaluation strategy with respect to how you would go about testing your hypothes(is)/(es), presenting your findings, discussing potential implications for social work practice, and making a solid recommendation for future social work research. Important: There are no minimum requirements regarding the number of references you are to utilize in completing this paper. However, you must include at least one citation per paragraph, where applicable (e.g. N/A with respect to the Research Question and Hypothesis section). You are free to use the resources you cited in your first paper, including the textbook. Unacceptable sources of information include those from general websites such as Wikipedia and About.com. It is expected that if students choose to use electronic media, they evaluate websites in terms of, but not limited to, authorship, content, currentness, etc. Summarize, synthesize, paraphrase, and cite key points/findings. In addition, direct quotes should be used sparingly. Per The Catholic University of America’s Center for Academic Success, there are three instances in which the use of direct quotes is appropriate. See http://success.cua.edu/services/quote-and-paraphrases.cfm for more information. All resources identified in your reference list must be cited in the text of your paper. Lastly, do not write in either first (e.g., I, we, my, our, etc.) or second (e.g., you, your, and yours) person. Format: In essay format (re: include a brief introductory paragraph; i.e., 4 to 5 sentences), address the following: I. Research Question and Hypothesis: 1 paragraph (no more than 3 sentences) Present the final research question and hypothesis that will guide the evaluation of your selected EBP intervention with your identified client system. Specify the independent and dependent variables. Note, your variables must be identical to the variables you identified in Part I of your proposal. II. Methodology: 5–6 pages A. Evaluation Design Identify the SSD you selected. Address why this design is the most appropriate to test the hypothesis stated above. Within the context of your study, describe how you would employ this design. Use the appropriate nomenclature in discussing the structure of your SSD (i.e., phases). Explain three threats pertaining to the design’s internal validity that you deem to be the most applicable and consider within (re: apply to) the context of your study. B. Participation Criteria Address how the client system (re: participant[s]) would be selected from your population. Delineate the criteria that would be used to determine eligibility for participation in your evaluation. Based on the eligibility criteria, explain two threats SSS 756: ASSIGNMENT #4 2 pertaining to the design’s external validity that you deem to be the most applicable and consider within (re: apply to) the context of your study. Conclude with a discussion of the generalizability of your SSD’s potential findings in consideration of your eligibility criteria and the two threats you identified as being the most pertinent to the design’s external validity. C. Dependent Variable—DV: Present the conceptual definition of your DV followed by its operational definitions. In conceptually defining your DV, do not cite and reference definitions from an all-purpose dictionary. Appropriate resources to consider in crafting your conceptual definitions include peer–reviewed journal articles, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–5, research institutes, and other reputable authorities/repositories of information. For the DV, you must provide two operational definitions. Note, each method (i.e., standardized instrument, individualized rating scale, behavioral observation, and client log) can only be used once for the DV. For example, you cannot use two standardized instruments to measure your DV. Doing so will result in the duplicate form of measurement not being counted as a second operational definition of the DV. For each operational definition of your DV, briefly discuss the content, structure, and purpose. In terms of the validity and reliability of the measures, if a standardized instrument is to be used, address the specific type of validity and the specific type of reliability that have been established. With respect to the use of an individualized rating scale, behavioral observation, and/or a client log, identify and explain which specific type of validity and specific type reliability would be established and how this would be done. Independent Variable—IV: Present the conceptual definition of your IV followed by its operational definition. Given that you described your evidence–based practice (EBP) intervention in Part I, provide a short recap (i.e., two to three sentences should suffice). In operationally defining your IV, discuss how the application of your EBP intervention would be measured with respect to its overall length as well as the number, length, timing, etc. of sessions, homework to be completed, etc. D. Data Collection Plan Explain how the data will be collected for both baseline and intervention phases and any other phases pertinent to your SSD. Specifically address (a) from whom; (b) by what means and format; (c) when; and (d) how often data will be collected. Indicate the number of data points that will be included in each phase. Briefly discuss whether any special training/assistance needs to be provided as part of the data collection process (i.e., consider this in regard to the operational definitions for your DV above). E. Human Subjects Concerns Address how you would obtain informed consent from your study participant(s). Summarize what information would be included in your informed consent form. F. Data Analysis Plan For operational definition #1 of the DV, denote how the data would be analyzed (e.g., visual analysis, descriptive statistics, or a specific test of statistical significance). SSS 756: ASSIGNMENT #4 3 Provide a brief rationale with regard to the appropriateness for your selection. Outline, in sequential order, the procedures/steps that would need to be followed in order to test the hypothesis in order to determine: (a) if there was a change in the client system’s outcomes once the intervention was initiated; and (b) if change was observed, was it of a statistical and/or practical significance. For operational definition #2 of the DV, denote how the data would be analyzed (e.g., visual analysis, descriptive statistics, or a specific test of statistical significance). Provide a brief rationale with regard to the appropriateness for your selection. Outline, in sequential order, the procedures/steps that would need to be followed in order to test the hypothesis in order to determine: (a) if there was a change in the client system’s outcomes once the intervention was initiated; and (b) if change was observed, was it of a statistical and/or practical significance. III. Implications for Social Work Practice (0.75 page) Discuss how your evaluation (e.g., problem, intervention, client system, design, etc.) may inform social work practice from both a knowledge–building approach and knowledge– using approach (see p. 23 in Bloom, Fischer, & Orme, 2009). IV. Recommendation for Future SSD (0.5 page) Choose one of the advanced SSDs presented by Bloom et al. (2009) below in which to base your specific recommendation for future evaluation of social work practice. That is, assume you conducted your initial evaluation (e.g., A–B). Consider what might be the next logical design to employ to build upon your original study. Provide a specific example of how this advanced design may be carried out given the context of your study and explain your rationale for your selection. Chapter 14 A–B–A A–B–A–B Chapter 16 A–B1–B2–B3 A–B–C A–B–A–C A–B–A–C–A Chapter 15 Multiple–Baseline: Across Clients Multiple–Baseline: Across Problems Multiple–Baseline: Across Settings Multiple–Target Chapter 17 A–B/C–(B or C) SSS 756: ASSIGNMENT #4 Grading Rubrics Content—75 points  Introduction—5 points  Research Question and Hypothesis—5 points  Methodology—52 points - Evaluation Design—9 points - Participant Criteria—5 points - Variables—14 points - Data Collection Plan—4 points - Human Subjects Concerns—4 points - Data Analysis Plan—16 points  Implications for Social Work Practice—8 points  Recommendation for Future SSD—5 points Academic Expression/Writing Mechanics—15 points  1 point: Did the author refrain from writing in first (e.g., I, we, etc.) and second (e.g., you, your, etc.) person?  1 point: Were unacceptable resources (e.g., from general websites such as Wikipedia and About.com) used?  2 points: Where applicable, was there at least one citation per paragraph?  2 points: Were direct quotes used sparingly?  3 points: Did the author demonstrate clarity of thought, and was the paper well–organized?  3 points: Did the author have limited/no errors with regard to grammar and sentence structure?  3 points: Did the author have limited/no errors with regard to punctuation and spelling? APA Style—10 points (1 point for each bullet)  Were the margins set at 1–inch all–around?  Was there a cover page?  Was there a running head, and was it formatted properly?  Were there page numbers, and were they formatted properly?  Was the text of the paper set to Times New Roman 12?  Was the paper double–spaced? 4 SSS 756: ASSIGNMENT #4  Were headings used?  Were there minimal/no errors with regard to formatting citations?  Were there minimal/no errors with regard to formatting the resources contained in the reference list?  Were all the resources identified in the reference list cited in the text of the paper and vice versa? Submission: Please name your documents (.doc/.docx) as follows: Last Name_A4. PDFs will neither be accepted nor reviewed. Due Date: Your assignments are to be uploaded to BlackBoard by 11:55 p.m. (ET) on Sunday. Emailed submissions, along with any and all submissions received after 11:56 p.m. (ET), will neither be accepted nor reviewed. As such, the grade will be automatically recorded as a zero. No exceptions. 5 Running Head: EVALUATION PROPOSAL OUTLINE Evaluation Proposal Outline Sandra Simon The Catholic University of America SSS 756D – Evaluation of Social Work Practice March 23, 2020 1 EVALUATION PROPOSAL OUTLINE 2 Introduction This research study will look at the use of Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) to help a therapist and client to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic sessions with women in abusive marriages suffering from depression. The scale is useful in assessing the level of depression and other symptoms of anxiety and stress. DASS will evaluate the gap in evaluating the levels of depression in married women experiencing the symptoms. Statement of the Problem Social work practitioners encounter women in toxic marriages in their practice (CITE). Women in abusive marriages are at a high risk of experiencing mental health problems such as depression (CITE). Domestic violence occurs differently, and, in this research, the focus is on the impact of physical and emotional abuse through verbal, mental, or psychological torture. The problem of depression comes from the physical and emotional abuse which most women tend to endure and ignore for various reasons such as fear of what the society will say (Wong, Tiwari, Fong & Bullock, 2016). Domestic violence is a learned behavior the partner acquires and is influenced by factors such as drug abuse, financial problems, and work stress, among others (CITE). The target population is women age 18 to 35 years in abusive marriages exhibiting depression symptoms. Most women between the ages of 18 – 35 years old are newlyweds and face challenges that they are yet to learn how to handle from and abusive partner. Social workers work in different settings, including family and marriage counseling. Married women facing depression usually seek the help of a social worker to help alleviate the depressive symptoms. The DASS is a self-report scale that is proposed to be utilized, is suitable to manage these EVALUATION PROPOSAL OUTLINE 3 depressive symptoms. This intervention establishes the level of depression based on the symptoms the client exhibits and uses the information to choose therapeutic practices to change the client’s thinking and perception, and later re-assess the client’s state using the same scale to assess effectiveness. Evidence-Based Practice Intervention Women in abusive relationships will fill the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), which has questions to identify the severity of negative emotional states of depression on 14 items. The clients will fill in the DASS the first two weeks of therapy and the last week of therapy and the following one week off treatment as a follow-up strategy. The intervention is expected to have a positive impact as it will help the clients to identify the symptoms they might be unaware of and establish strategies to solve problems (Gomez, 2013). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies in managing depression hold that the way to healing is to identify the underlying thoughts and perceptions. For instance, a 25-year-old pregnant woman married for two years will fill in the scale at the beginning of the therapy to determine her level of emotional disturbance, and then a social worker will evaluate and rate Miller based on the results (Mandal, Hooker, Vally & Taft, 2018). The goal is to help Miller lead a happy and fulfilling life. Research Question and Hypothesis The independent variable is the intervention, DASS, which tests the dependent variable, which is depression. The research question is: Does the use of DASS enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic services provided by a social worker to a depressed woman in an abusive marriage? Just use one. EVALUATION PROPOSAL OUTLINE 4 References Gomez, R. (2013). Depression Anxiety Stress Scales: Factor structure and differential item functioning across women and men. Personality and Individual Differences, 54(6), 687691. Mandal, S. K., Hooker, L., Vally, H., & Taft, A. (2018). Partner violence and postnatal mental health: cross-sectional analysis of factors associated with depression and anxiety in new mothers. Australian journal of primary health, 24(5), 434-440. Wong, J. Y., Tiwari, A., Fong, D. Y., & Bullock, L. (2016). A cross-cultural understanding of depression among abused women. Violence against women, 22(11), 1371-1396. 
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