Spring 2026 SOWK 460w Week 05 - Writing about an Ethical Framework

Slide 1
A globe overlaps colorful gears, symbolizing interconnectedness. Text reads: 'Writing about an Ethical Framework, Week 05, Spring 2026, SOWK 460w.' Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LICSW at Heritage University.

Spring 2026 SOWK 460w Week 05 - Writing about an Ethical Framework

title: Spring 2026 SOWK 460w Week 05 - Writing about an Ethical Framework

date: 2026-02-15 17:50:01

location: Heritage University

tags:

  • Heritage University
  • MSW Program
  • SOWK 460w

presentation_video: > Video Embed

description: >

Week five is asynchronous. You will read chapter seven from Royse (2023), which is focused on the range of experimental design methods that can be used to group participants in research. These include experimental, quasi-experimental, and pre-experimental design methods, as well as some random sampling discussion. In my lecture video, we will discuss writing about an ethical framework and how that can be applied to your final paper and research design. I also ask you to read McDonald et al. (2015) and their discussion of how to write about ethical frameworks in social work. At the start of this week, group submitted their proposal and group work plan. Students will have a chance to provide feedback or questions related to other group’s projects.

The agenda for the video includes:

  • Expectations for week five
  • What is an ethical framework
  • Ways we consider ethics within program evaluation
  • How we would write about ethical frameworks

Learning objectives

  • Differentiate between experimental, quasi-experimental, and pre-experimental research designs used in program evaluation.
  • Define what an ethical framework is and explain its role in program evaluation design and reporting.
  • Critically reflect on contributions to program evaluation project.
Slide 2
The slide presents a weekly plan with topics: 'Expectations for week five,' 'What is an ethical framework,' 'Ethics in program evaluation,' 'Writing about ethical frameworks.' Learning objective: define ethical framework in evaluation.

Plan for Week 05

Agenda

  • Expectations for week five
  • What is an ethical framework
  • Ways we consider ethics within program evaluation
  • How we would write about ethical frameworks

Learning Objectives

  • Define what an ethical framework is and explain its role in program evaluation design and reporting.
Slide 3
Week 05 presentation slide features reading assignments: McDonald et al. (2015) on ethical writing, and Royse (2023) on program evaluation. Tasks include reading quiz, video, journal entry, and forum comment. Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LICSW Heritage University SOWK 460w Spring 2026

Week Five Expectations

Read

  • McDonald et al. (2015) Ethical Professional Writing in Social Work and Human Services
  • Royse (2023) Chapter 07 Group Research for Program Evaluation

Do

  • Complete the reading quiz
  • Watch the lecture video
  • Complete your first journal entry
  • Consider making a comment in forums
Slide 4
'Slide features text 'Ethical Framework for Program Evaluation' in blocks, with potential questions about project design considerations. Background is black, highlighting information on data sharing and task management.'

What is an Ethical Framework

In social science literature and research design, an ethical framework is a structured approach to identifying, analyzing, and resolving ethical issues that arise in the research process. It provides principles and guidelines that help researchers navigate moral dilemmas, ensure the integrity of their work, and protect the rights and well-being of participants.

Concepts

There is now a specific section in your paper, but it can also be identified throughout

Might include things such as:

  • Core Ethical Principles
  • Informed Consent
  • Confidentiality and Privacy
  • Risk and Harm Mitigation
  • Cultural Sensitivity and Equity
  • Integrity and Transparency
  • Ethical Oversight and Review

The following is based on what is expected on your final paper. In general:

  • Explain the considerations you made when designing the project.
  • Frame it clearly

Potential questions answered

  • How will you interact with clients, the institution, and subjects?
  • How will you protect the rights and privacy of subjects?
  • With whom will you share data, and why?
  • Did your tasks/timeline ultimately go the way you thought it would?
  • What took longer and why?
  • What was more complicated than you expected, and why?
Slide 5
Text against a black background prompts discussion on ethical considerations in evaluation design and implementation. Topics include participant interaction, rights, privacy, data management, and the influence of ethics on tasks and timelines. Includes course and presenter details: 'SOWK 460w Spring 2026,' 'Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LCSW, Heritage University.'

Directions from Template

Describe the ethical considerations that guided the design and implementation of the evaluation. Address how you interacted with participants and the institution, protected participants’ rights and privacy, and managed data access and sharing. Reflect on how ethical considerations influenced your tasks and timeline.

Slide 6
Star diagram illustrates ethical evaluation steps: assume harm, identify risks, cultivate responsibility, incorporate scrutiny, understand setting, avoid deception. Title: 'Ethical Development of a Program Evaluation'; Creator: Jacob Campbell, Heritage University.

Ethical development of a program evaluation

There are some things that we can do as practitioners to help safeguard against unethical behavior in program evaluation

  1. Assume harm and risk: Always risk…
  2. Identify and address risk: Risks should be documented and explicitly discussed as well as planned to help mitigate. (Think process for IRB.)
  3. Cultivate mutual responsibility: between parties involved in the development/implementation of the program evaluation
  4. Incorporate scrutiny: Work with stakeholders, for blindspots
  5. Understand the setting: Unable to understand the risk to the population unless understand the setting and population
  6. Avoid deception: Openness and transparency
Slide 7
A seven-step plan is displayed on a presentation slide, detailing ethical considerations with actions like reviewing guidelines and reporting to stakeholders. Titled 'Steps to Ensure Ethical Considerations.'1. Plan with participant identification and reporting.2. Identify IRB guidelines.3. Address policies for consent.4. Submit evaluation plan.5. Obtain stakeholder cooperation.6. Ensure consent and privacy.7. Report to stakeholders.Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LCSWHeritage University(Kapp & Anderson, 2010)SOWK 460wSpring 2026

Steps to ensure ethical considerations

The following would be some steps to help ensure that your evaluation is done ethically.

  1. Plan that includes participant identification, sound methodology, and reporting plan
  2. Identify and review IRB guidelines and requirements
  3. Address policies and procedures required for protection of human subjects and informed consent
  4. Submit the evaluation plan and procedures to an agency board for review and approval
  5. Work with stakeholders to obtain cooperation
  6. Ensure informed consent and privacy
  7. Report to relevant stakeholders
Slide 8
**Object**: Text slide **Action**: Lists social service values and principles **Context**: Presentation on social work by Jacob Campbell, Ph.D., LCSW, at Heritage University.Text includes:- Focus on social service values and principles - Social justice - Respect for persons - Professional integrity - Accountability and transparency - Accuracy, judiciousness, and credibility - Reflexivity - Authenticity - Sensitivity - Purpose - PersuasionJacob Campbell, Ph.D., LCSW Heritage University (McDonald et al., 2015) SOWK 460w Spring 2026

Focus on social service values and principles

McDonald et al. (2015) argues that we can infuse ethical frameworks through our discussion of values and principles and how they are engaged. Their paper lays out 10 potential areas that this might happen.

  • Social justice
  • Respect for persons
  • Professional integrity
  • Accountability and transparency
  • Accuracy, judiciousness and credibility
  • Reflexivity
  • Authenticity
  • Sensitivity
  • Purpose
  • Persuasion
Slide 9
The slide contains bibliographic references. 1. Kapp, S. A., & Anderson, G. R. (2010). *Agency-based program evaluation: Lessons from practice*. Sage Publications. [Link: doi.org/10.4135/9781544364896]2. McDonald, D., Boddy, J., O’Callaghan, K., & Chester, P. (2015). *Ethical professional writing in social work and human services*. *Ethics and Social Welfare, 9*(4), 359-374. [Link: doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2015.1009481]Bottom-left corner: Jacob Campbell, Ph.D. LCSW, Heritage University logo. Bottom-right corner: SOWK 460w, Spring 2026.

Reference

Kapp, S. A., & Anderson, G. R. (2010). Agency-based program evaluation: Lessons from practice. Sage Publications. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4135/9781544364896

McDonald, D., Boddy, J., O’Callaghan, K., & Chester, P. (2015). Ethical professional writing in social work and human services. Ethics and Social Welfare, 9(4), 359-374. https://doi.org/10.1080/17496535.2015.1009481