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 services, and social welfare policy.

The theme for the 2012 conference is “Research that Makes a Difference: Advancing Practice and Shaping Public Policy.” As human and social problems become more complex and global, knowledge development commands ever-increasing rigor and a timely translation of research. Research need to move beyond knowledge generation in order to significantly advance practice and shape public policy. The current challenges present opportunities for social work researchers to take a lead by bringing our commitment to social justice and our experience in addressing multidimensional and context-dependent human problems. This annual conference provides the opportunity for social work researchers, educators, practitioners and policy makers to strengthen the scientific knowledge base and impact of social work research in practice and policy. Submissions for presentations may include individual paper and poster presentations, organized paper symposia, round-table discussions, and workshops.

As illustrated in the cluster areas, submissions are encouraged across all areas of social work. These may span various forms of research. Preliminary cluster areas are: Adolescence and Youth Development, Aging Services and Gerontology, Child Welfare, Crime and Criminal Justice, Gender and Ethnicity, Health and Disability, International Social Work and Global Issues, Mental Health, Organizations and Management, Poverty and Social Policy, Research Design and Measurement, Research on Social Work Education, School Social Work, Sexual Orientation, Social Work Practice, Substance Misuse and Addictive Behaviors, and Work, Family, and Family Policy.

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. Only paper and poster abstracts reporting completed findings will be reviewed. We urge that studies with “findings pending” be submitted for future review after the study is complete. Abstracts should not be based on research previously published elsewhere. 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 questions and/or hypotheses. 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.

SSWR seeks to optimize as many people participating in the conference as possible. SSWR, therefore, limits the number of roles that participants can play in the 2012 conference. There is a limit of two (2) presenting-author abstract submissions per person. This limit applies to these presentation formats: oral papers, both individual papers and papers within an organized symposium, posters and workshops. It does not apply to co-authorship. Participants may, however, perform additional roles such as chairing an organized symposium, leading a special interest group, serving as moderator for a session of grouped oral papers, and a panelist in a round table session.

The conference will also include workshop and roundtable sessions serving 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 any abstract.

Peer reviews will be used to select submissions based upon technical merit and importance of findings. Please note that all abstracts are to be submitted online using the SSWR online abstract management system, which will be accessible March 1, 2011.

Sample Abstracts

Oral Papers (individual papers and papers within a symposium) and Posters:

• Example Oral Paper and Posters 1
• Example Oral Paper and Posters 2
• Example Oral Paper and Posters 3

Please see the following links for examples of model Workshop and Roundtable abstracts. These examples are included to provide guidance to authors; however, there may be instances in which another format is preferable.

• Example Roundtable
• Example Workshop

For more information about the SSWR annual conference, please go to the SSWR conference website at http://www.sswr.org/conferences.php.

DEADLINE FOR ONLINE SUBMISSION:
11:59pm PDT, Saturday, April 30, 2011

We look forward to seeing you in Washington!

Note: You DO NOT need to be a SSWR member to submit an abstract. However, if your abstract is accepted for presentation you MUST be a current 2012 member and register for the conference. This includes ALL oral and poster presenters, symposia organizers, paper presenters and discussants, and workshop and roundtable speakers.

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:

• Login above (top left corner of this page)
• 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.