Master of Social Work Research Practicum Reports

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10294/2906

The Master of Social Work program provides an option of completing the requirements with a thesis, or a practicum. The practicum option contains two streams: the field practicum and the research practicum. The full details for the program are provided here: Graduate Studies and Research -- Master of Social Work program.

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Browsing Master of Social Work Research Practicum Reports by Author "Chalmers, Darlene"

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    Becoming trauma informed: a research practicum exploring haven family support staff experiences of trauma informed care
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2021-09) Gagne, Erin; Chalmers, Darlene; Gebhard, Amanda; Fletcher, Kara
    The following report presents the findings from my research practicum with Haven Family Connections, Haven Family Support program in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The purpose of this research practicum was to assist the agency in meeting their identified need for staff capacity-building on vicarious trauma and trauma informed practice. The research practicum was guided by the following question: How can Haven Family Connections, Haven Family Support increase staff knowledge of vicarious trauma and trauma informed practice and improve their capacity in delivery of trauma informed services? A literature review was completed to determine emerging themes and identified key knowledge areas on trauma and trauma informed practice. This review also informed the development of a staff trauma informed practice self-assessment tool. The results of the self-assessment, which asked staff about their knowledge and skills related to trauma and trauma informed practice, informed staff focus groups and provided a baseline for assessing the current knowledge and skills of staff on trauma and trauma informed practice. Data collected from both the staff self-assessment tool and two focus groups were utilized in training recommendations and the development of a staff training guide. The findings revealed areas of strength as well as areas for further development in terms of staff training and practices.
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    Exploring the lived experiences of siblings who grow up with a sibling diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2016-07) Day, Amanda; Johner, Randy; Chalmers, Darlene; Novik, Nuelle
    This research project explores the lived experiences of young adults who are living with a sibling diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by asking one methodological question: What are the lived experiences of young adults who lived with a sibling diagnosed with ASD in Saskatchewan? The research practicum employs a phenomenological approach, which includes semi-structured interviews and participant derived photographs, involving 5 adult siblings in Saskatchewan. A different relationship, but it is not one that is less became the essence shared within the different lived experiences of the study participants. The essence was impacted by two major themes identified throughout the analysis, including challenging and positive experiences. Subthemes that emerged from the challenging theme include the diagnosis and complex and layered. Positive experiences subthemes include reciprocity and bonding. These themes are discussed, along with the implications for social workers and future research.
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    “It’s not about the waffle maker:” trauma-informed social work practice
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2018-04) McAvoy, Michelle; Fletcher, Kara; Chalmers, Darlene
    This report highlights my Master’s in social work practicum experiences in private practice providing trauma-informed therapy to clients who have experienced varying degrees of interpersonal trauma. The purpose of the practicum was to enrich my theoretical understanding of trauma-informed practice and enhance my clinical skills in direct social work practice with clients who have experienced trauma. This report summarizes my experiences as a clinical social worker in a private practice setting. I begin with an overview of my personal and professional experiences and highlight the rationale for my practicum placement. I then discuss my literature review defining the term ‘trauma,’ and discuss cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and attachment theory as foundational theories that guided my clinical work. I outline important aspects of trauma-informed practice and integrate a conceptual framework I used. Throughout this paper, I blend professional and practicum experiences regarding theoretical and practical applications of social work tools to client experiences. I note challenges and ethical considerations of trauma-informed practice and conclude with a brief summary and recommendations for future social work practice.
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    Knowing my child: family-centric parent engagement and ADHD at school
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2021-12) Thiessen, Nicole; Milne, Lise; Chalmers, Darlene
    The intent of this report is to explore family-centric parent engagement from an analytic auto-ethnographical perspective in the school environment with parents that have a child diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Completed under the umbrella of Prairie Spirit School Division (PSSD), the largest rural school division in Saskatchewan, the qualitative research outcomes detailed in this document will examine current literature on family-centric parent engagement and ADHD within schools and provide an analysis of data collected through five qualitative interviews with parents. The themes of parental stigma, relationships, school systems failure, and parent voice emerged as critical considerations regarding family-centric parent engagement in schools with families that have children diagnosed with ADHD. The knowledge gained through examining this lived experience is a critical consideration connecting the concept of parent engagement with alternate ways of engaging families that have a child diagnosed with ADHD. This is an important connection in the field of school social work that will provide best practice recommendations for school counsellors and educators who work with families who have children diagnosed with ADHD. Recommendations provided to PSSD regarding best practice for working with families who have children diagnosed with ADHD are included.
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    A narrative way of being
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2016-05-17) Corbeil, Anjeanette; Halabuza, Donalda; Chalmers, Darlene
    The helping relationship is intricately bound with genuine honour and ethical responsibility. Being invited into another’s story of hardship and uncertainty carries a profound obligation that holds a powerful opportunity for human connection and influence. Narrative therapy offers a respectful, reflective approach to the helping relationship and therapeutic process that celebrates collaborative effort and impact. Genuine curiosity and the art of storytelling spark insight and inspiration as they hold the power to leave a lasting impression. As a social work practice reflection, this discourse includes an outline of my practicum objectives, shares skills and stories discovered and reveals an honest exploration of my personal and professional growth through appreciating a narrative way of being.
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    The Pe-kīwēwin project: research practicum report
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2017-06) Field, Elliot; Albert, Jason; Sinclair, Raven; Chalmers, Darlene
    The Pe-kīwēwin (Coming Home) project is a 5-year long project designed to uncover policies that led to the Indigenous Child Removal System (ICRS) beginning in the 1950’s. The following is a research practicum report detailing my experience as a research practicum student on the Pe-kīwēwin project. My objectives on the project were to learn about Indigenous research methodology, to learn about and conduct archival research, and to review existing literature relating to child welfare and the ICRS. The report includes a discussion of practicum objectives. Literature pertaining to child welfare, transracial adoption, and Indigenous helping is examined. The methodology used to guide both the Pe-kīwēwin project and my research practicum is discussed. The report includes a discussion of research practicum findings, including how I was guided by theory and practice, consistent with social work values. Ethical considerations and personal challenges are explored. The report reviews completed practicum objectives. I examine implications of Indigenous knowledge and research on social work theory and practice. The report concludes with personal recommendations and an overview of my practicum experience.
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    Student stress survey: a pilot study at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2018-03) Pierson, Amanda; Chalmers, Darlene
    This report presents the findings of a master of social work research practicum at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). The research question for this study asks: “What are the stressors for the students at the WCVM, and what practices could potentially mitigate their stress?”. The purpose of this research study is to pilot a survey for the WCVM student population that assesses the student’s objective and subjective stress, causes and symptoms of stress, the student’s current coping mechanisms for stress, and the effectiveness of the current practices in place. The aim is to identify the causes of stress and provide recommendations to the WCVM that may help alleviate stress experienced by veterinary medicine students, interns and residents. The report begins with an introduction explaining the purpose and goals of the research practicum. It follows with a review of the literature, which includes an overview of the search terms, and further explores suicide in veterinary medicine and the contributing factors to suicide risk, the impact of euthanasia on risk factors and on students, contributing factors to stress and burnout in veterinary medicine, gendered differences in reported stress, student stress and coping strategies in veterinary colleges, and student stress examined. The methodology is presented including the survey development, data collection methods, participant recruitment, procedures used, and a data analysis. The findings are discussed, including the themes that emerged from the data analysis and an overview of the survey findings. This paper concludes with recommendations for the WCVM for a future study.
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    Why you have to get in the chute : reflections on the integration of social work services in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine
    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina, 2015-04-02) Wasson, Erin; Chalmers, Darlene
    This report is a reflection on and an analysis of my Master of Social Work (MSW) practicum journey. I provide an overview of my learning experiences with particular attention to my role in the creation of an organizational structure, clinical practice in this setting, my interactions with staff, students, and faculty of the WCVM (Western College of Veterinary Medicine), the integration of social work theory and practice, ethical considerations, and the literature as it pertains to the practicum context.