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Article
Measuring the Implicit Curriculum: Initial Development and Results of an MSW Survey
Journal of Social Work Education (2011)
  • Melissa D. Grady, Catholic University of America
  • Mathieu Despard, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Joelle Powers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Sarah Naylor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Abstract

This study presents pilot data using an instrument called the Implicit Factors Survey (IFS) that is designed to measure factors within the implicit curriculum, or the educational environment in which the explicit curriculum is delivered. The implicit factors explored included community, diversity, faculty advising, and support services. Also included in the IFS were field and academic experiences. Sixty-four graduating MSW students completed the survey, and descriptive data and qualitative data were collected for each of the measured areas. Several important findings emerged from the data, including the variability in the quality of classroom instruction that students received and the comfort level that students felt in expressing their political or religious views. Implications for social work education and research are discussed.

Publication Date
Fall 2011
Citation Information
Melissa D. Grady, Mathieu Despard, Joelle Powers and Sarah Naylor. "Measuring the Implicit Curriculum: Initial Development and Results of an MSW Survey" Journal of Social Work Education Vol. 47 Iss. 3 (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/joelle_powers/22/