SWK3230 - Social work research - 2017

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Social Work

Coordinator(s)

Dr Catherine Flynn

Unit guides

Offered

Caulfield

  • First semester 2017 (Day)
  • First semester 2017 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit covers the place of research in social work and in the development of social work knowledge; the process and utilisation of social work research, the most commonly used social work research techniques and skills, emphasising how the various quantitative and qualitative methods may be synthesised within the one research project, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Articulate the place of research in social work.
  2. Understand and articulate the most commonly used research techniques in social work and the skills required to implement them.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate existing research literature.
  4. Understand and demonstrate the capacity to use common data analysis techniques.

Assessment

  • Critique of a published research article (750 words) (15%)
  • Identification of social problem, review of literature and development of a research question (1,500 words) (35%)
  • Proposed methodology (2,250 words) (50%)

Workload requirements

12 hours of study per week is expected for this unit. This may incorporate: guided reading, online activities, face-to-face classes, independent study and assignment preparation.

See also Unit timetable information

Chief examiner(s)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Social work

Human services

Prerequisites

Completion of 48 points at first-year level. Social Work units are available only within the context of the Bachelor of Social work degree, or with permission.

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at: