Thursday Workshops and Special Sessions

This workshop focuses on learning how to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze data and disseminate results specific to social work related research. GIS is an underutilized tool in the field of social work that offers policy makers, researchers, administrators, and workers a lens through which to view the data they work with every day. Using GIS we are able to overlay demographic data (e.g., poverty, population density, and household size), social work data (e.g., client numbers, service availability, and housing needs) and geographic boundaries (e.g. state and county borders, ZIP Codes, neighborhoods) creating a layered approach to decision support, program evaluation, and research. Maps created with GIS are powerful decision-making tools, helpful when seeking funding, evaluating where programs have the greatest impact, and monitoring the quality of services. (Download abstract)

Economic evaluation is a research and decision making tool that can add scientific, potentially transparent, and well-structured information to the social work resource allocation process. To date, relatively little formal economic evaluation has been done within social work research. The term economic evaluation is generally used to refer to cost- effectiveness or cost-benefit analysis when articles appear in the peer- reviewed literature. The results can be interpreted pragmatically as “which alternative program gives the most bang for the buck.” However, in spite of the relatively simple colloquialism, the terminology in economic evaluation can be confusing to social workers, and social work researchers sometimes confuse the terms. Cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses can be powerful tools, but to be used correctly, effectively, and efficiently, the strengths and weaknesses of these tools must be understood. (Download abstract)

This workshop will provide an introduction to implementation research, which is the study of methods to promote delivery of evidence-based practices.  Implementation research is growing in such practice settings as health, mental health, and child welfare.   Participants will become familiar with the types of research questions, theories, methods, designs, and ethical principles that guide the field. Case examples will focus on applications of implementation science for social work.  Participants will become familiar with research priorities pertinent to implementation science as identified by federal and private funding agencies.

The purpose of this workshop is to familiarize participants with the intervention research process. From early intervention development, through testing intervention effects, to disseminating findings, the intervention research process will be outlined and explored with participants. The workshop aims to unveil the often hidden or “behind the scenes” tasks and decisions made in intervention research. How do ideas for interventions develop? When is the right time to engage in intervention research? What types of teams are used to design and implement intervention studies? What common questions are asked in testing interventions? What design options are considered and what are the benefits and drawbacks of each? How are such studies funded? These questions will be answered and discussed with participants using examples from the presenters’ own work. Participants will be encouraged to apply this process to their own research areas, identifying critical next steps to moving their intervention research forward. (Download abstract)

Thursday, January 14, 2016, 8:00am-10:00am
Special Session I
Developing Successful Minority Social Work Scholars
Ruth McRoy (Boston College), Rowena Fong (University of Texas at Austin), Yolanda Padilla (University of Texas at Austin), Renee M. Cunningham-Williams (Washington University in St. Louis), Joan Levy Zlotnik (National Association of Social Workers), Carol M. Lewis (University of Texas at Austin)

This interactive session is designed for deans and directors, faculty, doctoral students, and others interested in building a pool of successful minority researchers in social work. It will include a discussion of 1)specific strategies for mentoring and training future scholars, 2)building research infrastructure and capacity to enhance their success, 3)building  transdisciplinary and cross-university connections to increase the likelihood of successful grant collaborations,  4) enhancing community agency/university research partnerships and 5) applying translational research strategies in communities participating in research.  In addition, the panel will discuss strategies to stimulate funding support for social work research as well as tools for addressing administrative challenges in grant submission and the implementation process.  Grand challenges for social work emphasize developing and supporting faculty at all levels.  Faculty of color have particular obstacles that call for more discussion. Examples of successful minority scholars will be provided.

Thursday, January 14, 2016, 8:00am-10:00am
Special Session II
SBIR/STTR Funding Mechanisms: Exemplars – What is it, what are the research priorities, and what types of social work research are supported by this funding
Joseph Himle (University of Michigan), Patrick Bordnick (University of Houston), John Newman (National Institutes of Health)

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs at the National Institutes of Health “are one of the largest sources of early-stage capital for innovative small companies in the United States.” These programs allow small businesses and academic researchers to engage in federal research and development projects that have potential for commercialization. The program funds early stage small businesses that align with NIH’s mission to “improve health and save lives.”  Academic researchers can participate in either the SBIR or STTR programs but the STTR program requires that the small business concern formally collaborate with a research institution and the principal investigator of the grant can be the academic researcher.  The SBIR/STTR program involves three phases with Phase II awards up to $1,000,000 over two years.  Several social work researchers have participated in the SBIR/STTR program.  Funded social work-led projects have included the design, development and testing of electronic devices for use with certain mental health conditions and projects involving the development of computer-based interventions for substance use disorders.  The SBIR/STTR program is highly attractive to social work researchers seeking technology-supported solutions for health and mental health conditions.  SBIR/STTR program officials can assist social work academicians as they seek out small businesses to join with them on their research projects.  The proposed panel presentation and discussion, organized by representatives of the SSWR Research Directors Special Interest Group, is designed to explore opportunities for funding through the SBIR/STTR program at NIH. It will include discussion about SBIR/STTR funding areas, strategies for proposal submission, and experience by SBIR/STTR funded researchers.  The overall objectives of this proposed session are to increase awareness about this funding opportunity and learn about its priorities and potential for ongoing support for social work research.

Thursday, January 14, 2016, 8:00am-10:00am
Special Session III
Social Media for Social Work Researchers: What, Why and How?
Brandy R. Maynard (Saint Louis University), Christopher P. Salas-Wright (University of Texas at Austin), Paul Sacco (University of Maryland)

The use of social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, has grown rapidly over the past decade and is changing the way we communicate, interact, and obtain and share information. Social media also has significant implications for the ways in which researchers and academics communicate, collaborate, and learn, as well as ways in which publishers and researchers measure impact. Indeed, researchers have a great deal to gain by using social media for various aspects of their work. Social media offers a range of tools to facilitate the dissemination, use and discovery of information, increase the visibility and impact of one’s work, connect with other academics and engage with the public, curate online material for research and teaching, and create and manage one’s online presence.  Despite the increase in use of social media by the general public, and more recently by researchers and academics, there are still many researchers who do not actively use social media in their work. There may be numerous reasons for this, including a lack of awareness of the potential benefits, types and uses of social media for research, or concerns about the potential pitfalls of using social media or technology. This workshop is designed to provide an introduction to the what, why and how of using social media for research and scholarship to help social work researchers take advantage of the uses and benefits of social media in their work.

There is a need to increase the relevance and use of social work science and research to inform social policy.  This interactive workshop will demystify the policy-making process and build social work faculty and researchers’ capacity to facilitate the translation of social work research so that it is relevant and used in the policy arena.  Participants will increase their understanding of: (1) how the public policy-making process works, in practice, at the U.S. Congressional level; (2) where the opportunities exist for injecting research expertise into this process; and (3) how researchers can frame their expertise in ways that policymakers can understand, respond to and incorporate into public policymaking.

Thursday, January 14, 2016, 10:15am-12:15pm
Special Session VI
Writing a publishable paper – from idea to submission
Donna Harrington (University of Maryland), Jordan, DeVylder (University of Maryland)

This workshop is designed to help social work doctoral students and early career scholars to develop peer reviewed publications.  We will discuss the entire publication process from identifying ideas for possible papers through writing, selecting a journal and submitting the manuscript, responding to reviewers’ comments, revising the paper, and finalizing the publication during the page proof and copyright permission stage.  This workshop will also help participants identify ways to turn class and other projects into potential publications.  Finally, we will discuss ways to identify potential writing mentors and co-authors, as well as how to discuss co-authorship expectations with colleagues and faculty.  We will share practical tips and suggestions for each stage of the process.

NEWLY ADDED SESSION AS OF FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015

Thursday, January 14, 2016, 10:15am-12:15pm
Special Session VII
Priorities and Capacity Building in Sexual & Gender Minority Research
Karen Parker (National Institutes of Health), Elliot Kennedy (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), Chris Haffer (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), Tyler Hatch (Administration for Children and Families)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-commissioned Institute of Medicine report on the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people identified research recommendations and a need for more and better data and information focused on sexual and gender minorities (SGM).  Responding to this call, agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have a number of efforts currently underway to better identify sexual and gender minorities through improved data collection and to increase research among these populations. Initiatives include the following: 1) NIH Strategic Plan to Advance Research on the Health and Well-being of Sexual and Gender Minorities; 2) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth report; 3) Administration for Children and Families’ (ACF) Human Services for Low-Income and At-Risk LGBT Populations research recommendations; and 4) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Virtual Research Data Center. This workshop is designed to provide attendees with an overview of several activities initiated by HHS to advance the health and well-being of SGM populations and to provide information on opportunities in priority research areas.