Discussion: formulating research questions | SOCW 6301 – Social Work Practice Research I | Walden University

Research problems can come from a variety of  places. A topic can come up during a discussion with a colleague that  motivates you to want to learn more about it. You may have a question  for which you cannot find an answer, so you decide to conduct a research  study in hopes of finding an answer. You may identify a particular gap  in knowledge and be inclined to investigate that gap and close it with  the results of a research study.

For this  Discussion, consider how crafting a good research question is the  cornerstone for designing robust studies that yield useable data. Review  the Sessions episode on the Talia Johnson case. Locate two articles  authored by the researcher David Lisak on the topics of the undetected  rapist and predatory nature.

By Day 3

Post two potential research  questions related to the Sessions episode. Consider potential ethical or  political issues related to the feasibility of investigating the  questions. Evaluate each question in terms of how it might:

1. Contribute to development of new knowledge for social work
2. Lead to more effective practice interventions
3. Lead to social change
4. Be useful to other researchers

Finally, explain the criteria you used to  decide which sources of information should be included. Please use the  resources to support your answer.

By Day 5

Respond to a colleague whose  post has not yet been addressed by offering comments regarding the  importance of his or her research problems and related research  questions. Be sure to comment on whether the phenomenon related to the  research question is measurable. Then, offer suggestions as to how the  information might be attained. Please use the resources to support your  po