Spring 2025 SOWK 460w Week 10 - Writing and Developing Your Methods Section

A presentation at Heritage University in March 2025 by Jacob Campbell and is tagged with BASW Program, Heritage University, SOWK 460w

The image shows a stepwise diagram illustrating a process. Steps labeled 'Research Question,' 'Methodology,' 'Data Collection,' and 'Analysis' connect by a dotted curved line. Text: 'Writing and Developing YOUR METHODS SECTION' and Jacob Campbell, PhD LICSW, Heritage University. Additional text includes: 'Spring 2023' and 'SOWK 460w Week 10.'

Presentation slide listing activities for a workshop. Text reads: 'AGENDA Week 10 for SOWK 460w. Logic Model Peer Review, Research article activity, Discussion and tips regarding writing your methods section, Time to work in your groups.'

A presentation slide features a 'Peer Review Logic Model' table. Columns include stages: Initial, Emerging, Developed, Highly Developed, with criteria like Visual Clarity, Resources. Includes instructions to 'Submit notes in the MyHeritage Forum.'

The slide features a document titled 'Research Article Activity' with a brief introduction to finding articles for a paper. It references the APA Style website. Link: https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/apa-style-research-activity.pdf

Title text asks, 'Why does the methods section matter?' Bullet points state: 'Make the study reproducible,' 'It helps clarify and understand the results,' and 'Establishes the credibility of the research being reported.'

Four colored ovals present tips for a method section: replicate future study needs, adhere to ethical standards, dual purpose of understanding/replication, use visual aids for clarity. Title: 'CONSIDERATION FOR YOUR METHOD SECTION.' (PLOS, n.d.).

A large number '3' labeled 'Examples' introduces the slide. The main text reads 'Review the Methods Section.' Bullet points ask about noticing, learning from, and applying insights from methods sections.

Slide displays text tips for writing methods: 'Use first-person pronouns, Write using past tense, Be precise and concise, Capture changes to protocols, Include ethical framework, Consider active versus passive voice.'

Slide text explains first-person pronoun usage in academic writing. It mentions APA guide recommendations for methods or personal reactions and includes a link: https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/grammar/first-person-pronouns.

Chart illustrating verb tense usage: 'wrote' in past (highlighted), 'write' in present, and 'will write' in future. Text advises consistent verb tense for clarity. 'USE PAST TENSE' is emphasized. Link: [https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/grammar/verb-tense](https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/grammar/verb-tense)

Text advises precision and conciseness in writing methods. Surrounding context includes a target icon on the right. Key phrases: 'Encourage precision and conciseness,' 'BE PRECISE AND CONCISE,' and '(PLOS, n.d.).'

A magnifying glass encircles scales of justice. Text states: 'Transparency between what you planned to do and what you actually implemented. Capture changes to protocols' followed by '(PLOS, n.d.).'

Text reads: 'THE METHODS SECTION IS WHERE YOU CAN DISCUSS HOW YOU HANDLED YOUR EVALUATION ETHICALLY. Tips for Writing Your Methods: INCLUDE ETHICAL FRAMEWORK.' Image shows scales of justice on left.

Slide features text on using active vs. passive voice. Includes 'Complete Worksheet' button, definitions, examples, and links: https://apastyle.apa.org/instructional-aids/active-voice.pdf and https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/grammar/active-passive-voice.

Slide with text listing questions related to data collection decisions, including data source, collection methods, sampling, and instrument reliability, under the heading 'DIRECTION IN THE TEMPLATE.'

Clock illustration displays time, positioned left; text 'GROUP WORK TIME' in bold yellow on the right; teal background framed by yellow lines on top and bottom.

Dr. Jacob Campbell

16 slides

Description

In week 10, we will be doing a variety of activities. First, we will spend some time peer-reviewing your agency logic models. We will be working on writing skills and discussing how to write a methods section for your executive summary. Students will learn some tips and ideas for writing their methods section, and a couple of activities are drawn from the APA-style website to help improve students’ academic writing. Students will read chapter 10 in Royse (2022) and consider how program fidelity and political challenges might arise in program evaluation. Students will also have an opportunity to work together in their groups

The agenda is as follows:

Logic Model Peer Review
Research article activity
Discussion and tips regarding writing your methods section
Time to work in your groups