THE SOCIETY FOR SOCIAL WORK AND RESEARCH
Online Submission
with Pre-Conference Institutes Sponsored by:
The Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research
is pleased to announce that its
Thirteenth Annual Conference
"Research that Promotes Sustainability and (re)Builds Strengths"
will convene at the
New Orleans Marriott
New Orleans, LA
January 15, 2009 - January 18, 2009
Submission Deadline:
April 30, 2008
The Conference Planning Committee of the Society for Society Work and Research (SSWR) invites submissions for presentations within all content areas of social work, social welfare services, and social policy. Relevant focus areas include, but are not limited to: aging, adoption, child maltreatment, mental health/mental disorders, health disparities, health promotion and disease prevention, disability, suicide, child and adolescent health and behavioral health, sexual orientation, family conflict, domestic violence, substance abuse and addiction, international social work, violence, delinquency, crime, academic failure, school dropout, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease, unemployment, poverty, welfare, managed care, social development, measurement, research designs, community and policy-based interventions.
The theme for the 2008 conference is “Research that Promotes Sustainability and (Re)Builds Strengths.” While most agree that “research matters”, understanding the impact of research to under gird sustainability and develop capacity in individuals, families, and communities undergoing harsh and difficult challenges lags behind. In addition, as social work research moves forward to better understand the interactions between individuals and their environments, many questions remain. As detailed in the cluster areas below, submissions that include a focus across all areas of social work research from epidemiology, translational, and dissemination research are strongly encouraged. Submissions for presentations may include individual paper and poster presentations, organized paper symposia, round-table discussions, and workshops.
Topic Clusters
Adolescent and Youth Development. This cluster seeks abstracts focusing on adolescent problem behaviors (e.g., violence, delinquency, health and mental health, substance abuse, academic achievement) and youth development. Studies addressing the prevalence of specific behaviors, the distribution of risk factors, shifts in risk factors, the distribution of problems over time, protective factors and resiliency and effective prevention and intervention programs.
Aging Services and Gerontology. Studies investigating aging and end-of-life issues (e.g., productive aging, palliative care, caregiving, interventions).
Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Research focusing on adult alcohol and substance abuse are included in this cluster. Studies addressing the epidemiology of substance using behaviors, related factors, and effective interventions.
Child Welfare. Abstracts in this cluster focus on the complexities of the child welfare system. Areas such as: child maltreatment, foster care, adoption, child and family interventions, transitioning out of the child welfare system. Interactions between child welfare and other service sectors (e.g., juvenile justice, health, mental health) are encouraged.
Disaster/Hazard. This cluster seeks studies addressing disaster planning. Research on disaster preparedness and mitigation in addition to studies investigating disaster response and recovery are included in this cluster
Gender/Ethnicity/Sexual Orientation. This cluster includes studies that focus on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and transgendered.
Health and Disability. The health and disability cluster seeks studies addressing areas of health and illness (e.g., STD, obesity, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS), disabilities, prevention, interventions, health promotion and education. This cluster also seeks studies focusing on understanding issues related to health disparities. Studies that articulate how social work research can address key biological, behavioral, social environment, physical environment, and policy factors to promote health and well-being and reduce health disparities.
Mental Health. Studies addressing mental health services, serious mental illness, diagnosis, assessment, co-morbidity, systems of care, mental health treatment, and evidence-based interventions are included in the cluster.
Poverty and Crime. Studies investigating various aspects of communities/neighborhoods, issues of poverty, welfare reform, homelessness and housing, and criminal behaviors and criminal justice system responses are requested for this cluster.
Research Design and Measurement. SSWR seeks to advance the development of new measures, research designs, and statistical analyses. For example, mixed-methods approaches that integrate qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Innovative studies and methodological analyses are welcomed that address measurement, statistical, methodological and practical challenges to social work research.
Research on Social Work Education. This cluster focuses on evaluation research, educational and training research, educational outcomes, faculty development, research infrastructure at schools of social work, and scholarly productivity.
Social Policy and Organizations. SSWR seeks abstracts that investigate organizational theory, development, and practice. This cluster also includes abstracts focusing on social policy research to guide policy and decision making.
Social Work Practice. Research focusing on social work practice and skills (e.g., ethical issues, evidence based practice, international social work).
School Social Work. Studies that focus on social work practice in a school setting.
2009 Clusters and Topics
Submission Instructions
The conference will focus on original research that has implications for practice or policy. Research abstracts are encouraged in all substantive areas, using scientifically sound qualitative and/or quantitative methodology. The research may take place in any country and at the micro, macro, or policy level. You are invited to submit abstracts for presentations of one of three types of original research: (1) Oral paper presentation; (2) Symposium (organized by the applicant) of three or more papers on the same topic to be presented in the same session; (3) Poster presentation; If applying for a paper or poster presentation, please submit an abstract of 500 words or less.
If applying for a symposium, please submit an abstract (500 words or less) for each symposium paper, along with an overall abstract (500 words or less) for the symposium session that describes the symposium theme and its importance. Preference will be given to symposia that demonstrate cohesiveness across presentations. Symposia will be accepted or rejected in total, i.e., abstracts will not be accepted independently.
Abstracts should be submitted in a structured format and include the following:
Background and Purpose: description of the problem, study objectives, research question(s) and/or hypothesis (es).
Methods: study design, including a description of participants and sampling methods, data collection procedures, measures, and appropriate analytic/statistical approach.
Results: specific results in summary form.
Conclusions and Implications: description of the main outcome(s) of the study and implications for practice, policy, or further research.
Note: Image(s) and table(s) are not permitted.
Please see the following links for examples of three (3) model abstracts. These examples are included to provide guidance to authors; however, there may be instances in which another format is preferable.
Oral Papers (individual papers and papers within a symposium) and Posters:
Standardized criteria will be used to evaluate abstract submissions. These criteria include innovation and relevance, approach/methodology, and contribution to social work practice, policy, or further research. Please see Abstract Ratings for Reviewer Rating Form for Oral papers, Symposia, and Posters.
Only abstracts reporting completed findings will be reviewed. We urge that studies with "findings pending" be submitted for future review after the study is complete.
The conference will also include workshop and roundtable sessions which will serve a continuing education function to help participants keep up to date with recent advances in methodology and other matters.Abstracts on workshop sessions should be no more than 500 words in length and include a description of the content and how it will be covered (pedagogical techniques, etc.). Note: Image(s) and table(s) are not permitted in the abstract.
Please see the following links for examples of two (2) model abstracts. These examples are included to provide guidance to authors; however, there may be instances in which another format is preferable.
Peer reviews will be used to select submissions based upon technical merit and importance of findings. Research abstracts are encouraged in all substantive areas and using any scientifically sound qualitative and/or quantitative methodology. There is a limit of three (3) first-authored abstract submissions per person. This limit, which applies to all presentation formats, does not apply to other levels of authorship.
Please note that all abstracts are to be submitted online using the SSWR online abstract management system, which will be accessible beginning March 2008.
Abstracts exceeding 500 words (including references) will be returned without review. To encourage wide participation at the conference, there is a limit of three (3) first-authored abstract submissions per person. This limit, which applies to all presentation formats, does not apply to other levels of authorship.
Please submit your abstract one of the following five ways. Simply click on the link to begin the submission process for that format.
DEADLINE FOR ONLINE SUBMISSION is 11:59pm PDT on April 30, 2008
We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!
Note: You DO NOT need to be a SSWR member to submit an abstract. However, if your abstract is accepted for presentation you MUST become a member and you MUST register for the conference.
- Oral Presentation: Click Here to submit a Oral Presentation
- Poster Presentation: Click Here to submit a Poster Presentation
- Symposium: Click Here to submit a Symposium
- Workshop: Click Here to submit a Workshop
- Roundtable: Click Here to submit a Roundtable
Making Corrections
The functions that are available to you at any phase in the submittal process are shown as links on the Control Panel. These links let you easily return and make corrections at any step along the way. If, for example, you realize after entering a presenter that you made a mistake in the title, just click on the Title link and edit the title. To make sure the changes are saved, click the Submit button at the bottom of the corrected page. DO NOT use your Internet browser BACK button. You may lose the previously entered information. Use the links in the Control Panel.
Retrieve & Modify or Withdraw an Existing Submission
To retrieve and view or modify an existing submission:
- Use the login below
- Enter the Application ID number and password in the login boxes, click View.
- Use the Control Panel to view or modify the desired part of the submission. Then, click the Submit button to send your changes.
To withdraw an existing submission:
- Select Withdraw from the Control Panel.
- Under the Comments section, type in your reason for withdrawing your submission.
- Click "Withdrawal". The link "Withdraw" will change to "Re-Submit" in the Control Panel and can be used to re-submit your session.
If you run into any problems, please email your questions or comments using the hyperlink to "Report a Technical Problem" that appears in the Control Panel. Technical support may also be obtained by calling (401) 334-0220 between 8:30 a.m and 6:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday.
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