Teaching Social Work Research Through Practicum: What the Students Learned

Abstract

Social work research is an essential component of a doctoral education. Students' perspectives need to be considered when determining how social work research is taught. Students enrolled in a social work doctoral program conducted a single case study that took a retrospective look at the student experience in a two-semester research practicum at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. A description of the research practicum course was drawn from key contact interviews and course materials. A review of archived records located 17 practicum publications and presentations. Cohort members' reflections on the research practicum course were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The case study informs the future design of doctoral research practicum courses and the socialization of social work educators and researchers.