SWRK 230 Quantitative Methods for the Helping Professions [GEQR]

Students will develop quantitative reasoning skills in the context of assessing two communities using data from the U.S. Census. This course critically examines how the Census is collected and its impact on the assumptions we make based on the data.

Credit 3 hrs May not be repeated for additional credit
Grade Mode Normal (A-F) Course Rotation Fall

Prerequisites -
Restriction by Major -
Restriction by Class - Undergraduate standing

Rationale for Quantitative Reasoning - A critical skill for social workers and other human service professionals is to engage in research-informed decision-making and practice. Research-informed practice is frequently used to select and integrate evidence-supported interventions; thus, it is essential for human service professionals to know how to use quantitative techniques to make reasoned and informed decisions based on data. For example, the U.S. Census is a free resource widely cited for various purposes, including measuring health disparities and reporting the poverty rate. Furthermore, decisions regarding funding and allocation of resources are made based on these numbers. With the widespread use of this data to inform important policies and programs, it is important to understand 1) How are the variables defined? and 2) Who was included in the sample? Using the U.S. Census, students will learn how to critically evaluate a source of data, use those data to analyze and compare two communities, interpret and draw inferences from the results, and communicate those results. Emphasis is placed on examining the potential for bias and critically analyzing our assumptions based on the data and the social, economic, and environmental justice implications of those assumptions and possible biases.

Equivalent Course(s) -
Course History -
Approved for GEQR 4/2023, effective Fall 2023; New Course 2/2022, effective Fall 2022

social work

Winter 2025 Course Sections

Fall 2024 Course Sections