Category: Social Work

Teratogens are ubiquitous toxins that affect prenatal development. Cleaning supplies, drugs, and alcohol are among the teratogens that we may encounter in our daily lives. Use the Internet to research scholarly literature and medically reviewed websites, such as the Mayo Clinic and The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), for information about teratogens and their effects on prenatal development. Literature Search Resources page. Assessing Internet Sources The websites listed in the resources for each assignment in this course are examples of reputable sources. When identifying reputable Internet sources, consider the following questions: Who is the author? Is the individual or organization well-known in their field? Who publishes the information? Is the publisher the same as the author? Is the source reliable? Does the source show a bias or intent? Instructions Alcohol and tobacco products are widely known and well-publicized teratogens. For this assignment, select a teratogen other than alcohol or tobacco. Assume the role in the following scenario: You are teaching at a local college and want to provide your students with an example of how a specific teratogen affects a critical trimester of fetal development, considering timing, dosage, duration, and genetics. Prepare a lecture, using relevant and recent references to illustrate and explain the implications of a selected teratogen on prenatal development and consider the impact of this teratogen on the individual, family, and society as well as ways to minimize the exposure. Be sure to consider any individual and cultural factors that may come into play when considering the impact of your teratogen and to write in a way that is appropriate for your target audience of undergraduate students. Deliverable A 23 page paper, suitable for a lecture to undergraduate students, explaining the implications of a selected teratogen on prenatal development that considers timing, dosage, duration, genetics, and the associated consequences and costs to families and society while also considering individual and cultural differences. The writing style should be direct and understandable, and include scholarly references. Organize your lecture using the following headings: Overview: Provide a summary of the teratogen. Identify a specific teratogen and the type or amount of exposure that can harm fetal development. Identify a common product or environmental pollutant that would be a concern for expectant parents (for example, lead-contaminated water). Where is the teratogen commonly (or uncommonly) found? What type, frequency, or amount of exposure is a concern? Where is the teratogen commonly (or uncommonly) found? Developmental Risks: Identify the specific risks to prenatal development. Identify the most critical trimester in prenatal development that the toxin affects (such as heart and lungs). Summarize research that explains how a specific teratogen affects a trimester of prenatal development. Illustrate (explain) how a specific teratogen harms fetal development in a critical trimester. Explain why it is dangerous (for example, drugs cross the blood barrier). For example, if the toxin affects lung development, what are the consequences? Consider the role of health disparities as they relate to developmental risk. Implications of Exposure: Evaluate the potential impact or outcomes to family and society as a result of prenatal teratogen exposure while considering the role of health disparities. What are the short-term and long-term outcomes from the exposure? Other related costs or consequences as the result of exposure? Special education costs? Increased health care costs? Minimize Exposure Analyze recommendations from reputable sources for minimizing prenatal or postnatal exposure to a specific teratogen. Analyze the quality of the research and the conclusions to prevent a specific teratogen exposure. Identify prevention and intervention options. Consider medical, social, and economic prevention strategies. Additional Requirements Length: 23 pages. Written communication: Provide key health information using language and format that is comprehensible to a layperson. Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics. Number of references: A minimum of five scholarly references is required (such as, academic journals); additional references from medically reviewed or professional, reputable websites, such as government sources, the Mayo Clinic, or WebMD, may be included. APA formatting: References and citations should be formatted according to current APA style and format. See Evidence and APA.

You take some time to begin with the S family. You want to ensure that they understand the nature and limitations of the policies and ethics that might impact your work together. At this point, however, Mr. and Mrs. S seem quite ready to share their concerns about the tension and conflict within the family. You too are eager to make the transition from the beginning to the exploring skills.

Directing your first question to the family as a whole rather than to any particular person, you ask, What do you see as the major issues within the family? Each member shares their thoughts. Although the specific nature of the responses varied somewhat, there appeared to be considerable agreement that the strained relationship between the two teenage boys (biological children of the father) and their fathers wife (the boys stepmother) is a major issue. Their relationship appears to involve a great deal of tension, anger, and conflict.

As the social worker, you now want to explore the origin and development of the difficulties in this relationship and further the familys exploration of these issues.

1. Develop three questions and note if it is an open-ended or closed-ended question.
2. Note who you would direct each question to (e.g. Mr. S, Mrs. S, the boys, the other children, or the whole family).
3. Outline your rationale for choosing each question and selecting the person or persons you decided to address.
4. How do you think the various family members would react to each question?

Open ended questions and statements invite expanded expression and leave the client free to express what seems most relevant and important. For example, “Tell me about your relationship with your spouse”, “How do you see your future?”, “Tell me about your visit with your mother.”

Closed ended questions define a topic and restrict the client’s response to a few words or a simple “yes” or “no” answer. For example, “When did you obtain your divorce?”, “What year were you born?”, “Is your health insurance Medicare?”

Instructions

In this assignment, you will design a research study that incorporates anti-oppressive principles and methods. You will demonstrate understanding of how research can be conducted in a way that challenges inherent biases, promotes anti-racist and anti-oppressive strategies, and advances social work purposes. The assignment should include the sections listed below.

Research Proposal

Using the issue from the previous assignment:

• Identify a specific research question related to the marginalized community or population that experiences oppression or social, economic, cultural, or environmental injustice. (C4.GP.A)
• Support your ideas with relevant academic and professional research.
• Discuss how the proposed research project aims to actively involve the selected community or population in the research process and how their voices and perspectives will be prioritized. (C4.GP.B)
• Identify specific participants, stakeholders, community partners, et cetera, that will be involved.

Methodological Approach

• Select and justify the use of a research methodology (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, or other research design) that aligns with anti-oppressive principles. (C4.GP.A)
• Be sure to support your ideas with relevant academic or professional research.
• Discuss how the selected approach will enable exploration of the research question while challenging biases and promoting anti-oppressive strategies. (C4.GP.B)
• Support your ideas with relevant academic or professional research.

Data Collection

• Analyze a proposed data collection strategy using an anti-oppressive research lens, including how it will address intersectionality. (C4.GP.A)
• Support your strategy with relevant academic or professional knowledge.

Ethical Considerations

• Outline the ethical considerations to be addressed in the research, including informed consent, confidentiality, protection of participants from harm, and data protection and storage. (C4.GP.A)
• Support your ideas with relevant academic or professional knowledge.
• Discuss considerations for power dynamics and researcher positionality and bias. (C4.GP.B)
• Support your ideas with relevant academic or professional knowledge.

Data Analysis and Dissemination

• Discuss how to interpret and disseminate the findings in a way that contributes to anti-oppressive social work practice, policy, or programs, including considerations for technology and how to ensure that the research findings are accessible and actionable. (C4.GP.A)
• Support your ideas with relevant academic and professional literature.

Additional Requirements

The assignment you submit is expected to meet the following requirements:

• Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current Evidence and APA standards. Include a cover page and references page. See .
• Font and font size: Use APA approved font and size.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

• Competency 1: Apply research findings to inform and improve practice, policy, and programs. (C4.GP.A)
• Identify a specific research question related to the marginalized community or population that experiences oppression or social, economic, cultural, or environmental injustice. (C4.GP.A)
• Select and justify the use of a research methodology (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, or other research design) that aligns with anti-oppressive principles. (C4.GP.A)
• Analyze a proposed data collection strategy using an anti-oppressive research lens, including how it will address intersectionality. (C4.GP.A)
• Outline the ethical considerations to be addressed in the research, including informed consent, confidentiality, protection of participants from harm, and data protection and storage. (C4.GP.A)
• Discuss how to interpret and disseminate the findings in a way that contributes to anti-oppressive social work practice, policy, or programs, including considerations for technology and how to ensure that the research findings are accessible and actionable. (C4.GP.A)
• Competency 2: Identify ethical, culturally informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive strategies that address inherent biases for use in quantitative and qualitative research methods to advance the purposes of social work. (C4.GP.B)
• Discuss how the proposed research project aims to actively involve the selected community or population in the research process and how their voices and perspectives will be prioritized. (C4.GP.B)
• Discuss how the selected approach will enable exploration of the research question while challenging biases and promoting anti-oppressive strategies. (C4.GP.B)
• Discuss considerations for power dynamics and researcher positionality and bias. (C4.GP.B)
• Competency 3: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.
• Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.