Research Methods: Serving the Thesis Legacy through a Social Justice Commitment

ABSTRACT

This reflection celebrates the ways in which the research methods courses (as they have historically served as the gateway to the thesis) have supported the justice ethic, including the antiracism commitment, within the Smith College School for Social Work. Discussion of the theoretical underpinnings of justice as a core value in social work education traces the evolution of distributive justice, relational justice, and strengths-based justice. Specific examples of how the research methods sequence has applied justice-based education within the curriculum are detailed, along with a presentation of qualitative and quantitative data supporting these efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• research methods
• social justice
• thesis

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Debra Hull

Debra Hull, PhD, is an adjunct professor in the research methods sequence at Smith College School for Social Work and a professor of psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University.