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June
2008
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Literature
Review
| Group
(task force) Paper
LITERATURE
REVIEW
A
6-8 page literature review on a social problem of your choosing is due
in early July, in the 10th class meeting of the first summer term. SEE:
SSW Calendar.
The
problem may be either the topic of the group assignment or one that reflects
your own interest. The discussion should consider a policy or policies
directed at the problem and note gaps or weaknesses in the policy. Please
feel free to consult with your professor about possible policies directed
at the problem.
The literature review should consider at least 10 references, at least
half of which must come from books or peer-reviewed journals. No more
than half of the citations may be web based and, please note, Wikipedia
is not an acceptable source.
Purpose
Not
to be confused with a book review or annotated bibliography, a literature
review is an essay that surveys scholarly articles, books and other sources
(e.g., dissertations, conference proceedings) relevant to a particular
issue, area of research, or theory, providing a description, summary,
and critical evaluation of each work. The purpose is to offer an overview
of significant literature published on the topic.
| Similar
to primary research, development of a literature review requires 4
stages: |
| Problem
formulation |
Which
topic or field is being examined and what are its component issues? |
Literature search
|
finding
materials relevant to the subject being explored |
| Data
evaluation |
determining
which literature makes a significant contribution to the understanding
of the topic |
| Analysis & interpretation |
discussing the findings and conclusions of pertinent literature |
These
are elements of the literature review:
| |
An
overview of the subject, issue or theory under consideration, along
with the objectives of the literature review; |
| |
Division
of works under review into categories (e.g. those in support of
a particular position, those against, and those offering alternative
theses entirely); |
| |
Explanation
of how each work is similar to and how it varies from the others; |
| |
Conclusions
as to which pieces are best considered in their argument, are most
convincing of their opinions, and make the greatest contribution to
the understanding and development of their area of research. |
go
to SSW 160/161 Literature Review resources
GROUP
(TASK FORCE) PAPER
A
group project to consider a specific social policy and analyze it using
the Blau and Abramovitz framework will be presented in class in the 10th
week of the summer (mid-August). In addition to the analysis, the group
should propose changes that will have the effect of addressing gaps or
weaknesses in the selected policy.
| Components
of the project include... |
 |
| |
A
brief summary of the policy |
| |
A
discussion of the problem(s) the policy is intended to address |
| |
The
policy analysis itself, comprised of an examination of the policy
according to the five dimensions of the framework |
| |
Proposals
to improve the policy |
On
Reserve: HV 95 .B595 2007
The Dynamics of Social Welfare Policy |
General
Information on the Assignment
A
task force is a time-limited, goal-oriented group doing work of a policy
/ administrative nature. The objective of the task force assignment is
to allow students to experience part of the clinical social worker’s
role as a member of an agency, team, committee or task force that works
productively toward the improvement of policy and service delivery on
behalf of clients.
The
task force process entails the following steps:
| 1. |
Formation
of a task force with the assignment of conducting a systematic analysis
of a selected social policy using the analysis framework |
| 2. |
An
option for the task force to meet with the instructor as a group
for assistance in defining the scope of the analysis, identifying
possible resources, resolving group conflicts, and planning/organizing
the written report |
| 3. |
Conducting
the necessary independent research |
| 4. |
Actively
participating as a member of the task force in the formation of realistic
and feasible policy recommendations |
Guidelines
for Organizing into Task Forces
For
complete information see the course syllabus on your SSW
160/161 Moodle site.
| This
project works best when groups form based on ... |
Common
interests or goals |
If
some group members strive to produce a superlative product, while
others are committed merely to satisfying minimum course requirements,
the group is courting difficulties. |
Common
work styles |
Group
members should respect differences on such issues as fulfilling individual
tasks and responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and working steadily
vs. working in intense spurts of energy. Group members should clarify
the working styles and the styles of potential collaboration as part
of the process of forming work groups. |
Complementary
talents |
Group
members should possess complementary skills, talents, and areas of
expertise, rather than uniform competencies that may leave the group
with crucial gaps. |
See
the course syllabus in Moodle for
logistical suggestions and more on the assignment.
Go
to Group (Task Force) Paper Resources
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