SOWK 625: SINGLE CASE RESEARCH STUDY

PLO 4:
EPAS 2015 This assignments fulfills mastery for Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and
Research-informed Practice 

Advanced generalist social workers use quantitative and/or qualitative research methods to evaluate their practice
and/or agency outcomes. They apply the principles of logic, scientific inquiry, and culturally informed and ethical
approaches to enhance social work practice. Advanced generalist social workers use evidence to inform practice.
They are able to translate research findings into effective practice. Advanced generalist social workers: 

• Use the evidence-based process to identify and apply effective advanced practice intervention for all
clients.
• Use research methods to evaluate practice effectiveness and/or agency outcomes.
• Use the scientific inquiry process to enhance social work practice.

INTRODUCTION

The Social Work Code of Ethics states that social workers’ primary responsibility to clients is to promote well-being.
However, it is often difficult to assess if interventions are helpful, harmful or having no affect at all. Therefore, it will
be necessary at times to conduct single-subject case studies in the field. This assignment will prepare students to
conduct this type of research in the future.

Assignment Summary: Design and implement a single-subject research project. This assignment is intended to be
completed by the student with the “client” being the student. It is necessary to carry out this study to complete this
assignment, so you should start working on this assignment very early in the term. However, the outcome of the
intervention does not need to show that the intervention was beneficial.

The paper should include the organization and all the sections described below. It should be written in APA format
using paragraphs and citations. DO NOT simply answer the questions in bullet form. Make sure to USE THE
HEADINGS LISTING IN BOLD BELOW.

PAPER OUTLINE

Study Introduction:
Describe the client briefly. (Even though the client is the student, use a name or “client” in the paper to avoid using
“I”). What are the relevant client demographics and characteristics? (1 paragraph)

What is the specific problem or behavior that the client is looking to change? Describe the target behavior. Make sure
this behavior is measurable in some way. Try to pick a behavior that occurs relatively frequently (at least every day)
so an extended baseline period is not needed. Why is this behavior a problem for the client? How would client well-
being be improved if the intervention is successful? (1 paragraph)

What is the client goal? Be specific and remember to state something that will be measurable. Here are some
examples:
“Client will reduce smoking from one pack a day to three cigarette only”
“Client will increase the number of face-to-face interactions he has in a week with the goal of at least 7 interactions
per week.”
“Client will walk to work 3 times per week.”
Why were this target and goal chosen? (1 paragraph)
Hypothesis and Variables:
State your hypothesis in 1 sentence.
Example: Writing positive thoughts in a journal every day will decrease negative thoughts and increase overall
happiness.
Describe your dependent and independent variables by providing operational definitions.

Intervention:
Specify the intervention that will directly address the target behavior and client goals. Make sure that the intervention
is linked clearly to the specified target. Detail the reason why this intervention was selected in terms of previous
research and in comparison to other available alternative interventions for the specified target. Why is the
intervention you selected the one most likely to meet client needs? Review previous empirical research concisely and
critically. Be sure to use at least 4 articles from peer-reviewed journals on the target and potential intervention. (1
page)

Measurement:
How will you measure your target? Describe your measurement package, including reasons for selecting the
measures. Specify when, where, how, and by whom measurement information was collected. Summarize what is
known about the reliability and validity of each measure. Specify how the measure is scored and what different
scores mean, if such information is available. You may also use an individualized rating scale. If you do, describe the
scale. (1 paragraph)

Study Design:
Specify the design of this single-case study. Specify length of the phases and the rationale for phase lengths. Your
design must have at least 2 phases. Make sure to use the terminology you learned in this class. Some examples are
baseline, intervention, phase, condition, unit of measurement, data point, count, etc. Describe how and when the
intervention will be implemented and by whom. How does your study deal with potential measurement error?
**Study must have at least 10 data points. It is suggested that you take at least 10 days to 2 weeks to complete your
study. (2 paragraphs)

(Note that you will need to complete your study before completing the following sections)

Graph Result:
Make a chart of your study results. Use the chart to create a graph that shows the results of your study. The chart and
graph must be included in this paper. You may NOT complete the graph by hand. You must use a program on Excel,
Word or another software to create the graph. Copy and paste the chart and graph into the paper. Make sure the x and
y axes, phases, data points and levels of measurement are clearly labeled.

Evaluation:
Interpret the results of your study. Did the target(s) deteriorate, remain unchanged, or improve? If the target(s)
improved, was the improvement sufficient (i.e., was the goal achieved)? What are the bases for your conclusions?
What other factors could have influenced the outcome of this study? (1-2 paragraphs)

Discussion
Did your study go as planned? Why or why not? What were some impediments? What might you change if you were
implementing this study again? What follow up would be needed, if this was an actual client, to meet the intended
goals for the future? If behavior deteriorated, what other intervention could be implemented? What are your thoughts
on conducting this type of research? How will you implement it in your future work with clients? (1 paragraph)

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Here are some resources that might be helpful:

● Outcome-informed evidence-based practice Text website: https://ormebook.com/
● How to Make a Single-Case Graph Using Google Docs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6Biv0IWZ9s
● Video Tutorial for Making a Line Graph in Excel 2007 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAjAgVBzkIM
● How to Make a Line Graph in Excel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn7Sd5Uu42A