Choose a family social problem (e.g. chronic illness, family violence, substance abuse, child maltreatment, etc.) and write a literature review about the problem.
First, narrow your paper down to a few features of the problem (e.g. a few ways that children are affected by a parent who is chronically or mentally ill). Locate empirically-based research studies that inform us about this particular social problem, but do not focus on treatment or interventions. What are the latest findings?
Review and use at least 10 studies.
Write a paper 10-12 pages in length, using proper APA style formatting and citations, including headings and subheadings to organize the content of the paper. This page total includes only the body of the paper (not a title page, reference pages, or any appendices).
The paper should include the following:
Introduction
Tell the reader why this is a problem, why we should discuss it or do anything about it. In other words, what is the purpose of writing this paper? Why is it important? This may include demographic information telling how serious the problem is for people. Also, consider and address the costs to society resulting from this problem.
Literature Review
In the main part of your paper, present, integrate, and discuss your findings. Describe what is known about the problem. Consider including some of the following information: – Who is at greatest risk for the problem? – What are important risk/protective factors? – What are the costs/consequences for individuals, families, and society?
Apply a social work perspective to the problem. – Is this primarily a micro, meso, or macro problem, or some combination? Why? – How does the person-in-environment and/or life course perspective help us understand or frame the problem more clearly? Draw upon your textbooks as well as supplemental literature to support your argument.
Conclusion
What are your final conclusions? What were the basic findings from your review? What are the implications for the field of social work in terms of practice, future research, and policy?
To assist you in writing this paper, the class will attend an Informational Session at the UNLV Lied Library on September 12, 2018 at 5:30 pm. At that time you will meet the Social Work Librarian and learn about the resources that are available to assist you in your studies.
A few other pointers for successful papers:
Your writing should be formal in nature, so do not use first-person (except as noted in the Self-Reflection Paper) and avoid lay-language, informal language, or colloquialisms.
Always cite your sources. If what you are writing is not original to you, cite to the source. Otherwise, you are plagiarizing, which is unethical and can result in a failing grade.
Do not just use spell check, but carefully review your writing for grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes. You may even have someone else read over your paper for you, or read it aloud to yourself to see if it sounds right. Writing well matters.
Do not put in extra spaces in your paper. Papers are to be double-spaced with no extra spaces between paragraphs.
APA formatting includes using 12pt Times New Roman as your font. Using a different font to make the paper shorter or longer is not acceptable.
