Research Attitudes and Their Correlates Among Undergraduate Social Work Students

ABSTRACT

The purpose of our study was to describe research attitudes of undergraduate social work students and to identify individual characteristics associated with positive research attitudes. Our data were collected in the spring semester of 2016 through an online survey at a midsize state university with 170 study participants. Research attitudes were measured with the Attitudes Toward Research Scale and the Kirk-Rosenblatt Research Inventory. We found that although respondents appreciated the value of research and its application to social work, negative emotions of anxiety and stress persisted. Older age, completion of prior research course work, prior research exposure, knowing what evidence-based practice means, and acceptance into the BSW program were associated with more positive attitudes toward research.

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Notes on contributors

Dragosh Negrea

Dragosh Negrea, MSW, was a student at Western Carolina University when this article was written, and is currently an intake specialist at CODA Inc. Portland Recovery Center in Portland, Oregon. Charlotte Rapp, MSW, was a student at Western Carolina University when this article was written, and is now working at Bassett Medical Center's Psychiatric Inpatient Unit in Cooperstown, New York. Tonya M. Westbrook, MSW, PhD, is Associate Professor, Rebecca Lasher, EdD, MSW, is Assistant Professor and BSW Program Director, and Sur Ah Hahn, MSW, PhD, MA, is Assistant Professor at Western Carolina University. Marc Schure, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Community Health at Montana State University. R. Turner Goins, PhD, is Ambassador Jeanette Hyde Distinguished Professor at Western Carolina University.