SWM5190

Social work research

Associate Professor C Goddard

12 points -2 hours per week -First semester -Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, candidates should have developed an understanding of ethical issues relating to research with humans; issues relating to the place and role of different types of research in social work; the principles underlying qualitative and quantitative research; research design, research questions and data collection methods; a range of statistical techniques and understand when it is appropriate to use them and demonstrated their ability to develop a research proposal.

Synopsis The subject will cover the following topics: purpose of research and its place in social work; research ethics including intellectual property issues; research designs including qualitative, quantitative, exploratory and experimental methods; developing research questions and hypotheses; sampling and data analysis including statistical analysis and writing research reports.

Assessment Students will be expected to do one or two assignments totalling 9000 words including a research proposal.

Recommended texts

Grinnell R M Social work research and evaluation Peacock, 1994

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