Social Work Research -- Annotated Bibliography Annotated

Social Work Research -- Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography

Bowie, S.L., & Hancock, H. (2000, Fall) African-Americans and graduate social work education: a study of career choice influences and strategies to reverse enrollment decline. Journal of Social Work Education, 36(3), 429.

These experienced researchers have reported on the influences of black MSW graduate careers. Demographics were taken into consideration in relation to social work program enrollment influences. Black MSW graduates were found to be most influenced by advancing their careers, acquiring new skills, and maintaining a professional status. The author further suggests recruitment strategies for attracting black students to graduate social work programs. The overall motivation for the minority MSW student is important when considering the affect of receiving public assistance on the desire to work with the poor and homeless.

Cozzarelli, C., & Tagler, M.J., & Wilkinson, A.V. (2001). Attitudes toward the poor and attributions for poverty. Journal of Social Issues, 57(2), 207.

The authors of this article collected data from Midwestern college students to assertain differences among various sociodemographic groups on various beliefs relating to poverty. Issues addressed included stereotypes, attributions, ideaologies, and feelings about the poor. Scales used in the study were Protestant Ethic, Belief in a Just World, and Right Wing. Participants had negative views of the lower classes and often blamed the poor individuals for their situations. Sociodemographic differences affected opinions, but gender did not. The influences of sociodemographic differences in non-social work students may be used to help anaylize the desire in MSW and BSW students to work with the poor.

Limb, G.E, & Organista, K.C. (2003, Winter) Comparisons between Caucasian students, students of color, and American Indian students on their views on social work's traditional mission, career motivations, and practice preferences. Journal of Social Work Education, 39(1), 91.

Limb, the primary author of this article, is an assistant professor at Arizona State University, specializes in research relating to American Indian and colored children, as well as outcome predictors and social work education. This study analyzes data collected from MSW students over a nine-year period to determine the motivations and attractions regarding social work. Specifically, the differences between caucasian and colored students were analyzed. The statistics showed that MSW students are motivated by both traditional and non-traditional elements of social work, least interested in private practice and psychotherapy, and that caucasian and colored students express similar professional philosophies. The motivations of social work students is directly realted to my hypothesis.

Perry, R. (2003, Spring-Summer) Who wants to work with the poor and homeless? Journal of Social Work Education, 39(2), 321.

The author of this article, a published researcher with Florida State University, uses data collected from California MSW students over several years to reveal factors which influence the desire to work with the poor and homeless. Sociodemographic variables were influences (but not stable ones) on students' interest, and idealogical beliefs and motivation were very stable influences. This information is directly correlated to the hypothesis of my study that social work students are influenced by previous experience with public assistance.

Sun, A.-P. (2001) Perceptions among social work and non-social work students concerning causes of poverty. Journal of Social Work Education, 37(1), 161.