SWM5112 - Research for social work practice - 2018

In all fields of contemporary social work, practitioners need the skills to effectively consume, produce and apply research knowledge, to ensure that actions are based on appropriate and critiqued evidence. Research is a powerful intervention tool through which change can be achieved with individuals, groups and communities. This unit is offered as part of the core requirements of the professional association, the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Social work research is seen to be informed by a clear value base and driven to deliver socially constructive outcomes. The unit will explore research processes, presenting a structured approach to the implementation of a research proposal. There will be particular emphasis on research in practice, program evaluation, and program development, as well as the ethical underpinnings of all research. The overall aim of this unit is to encourage students to become critically reflective, research minded practitioners, who contribute in an ongoing way to the knowledge base of the profession. Students will engage in a range of learning activities, including interactive lectures, workshops, cross-disciplinary masterclasses and integrated online learning. Students will focus on learning the language and terminology of research, within a reflective practice framework.

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

1. Appraise the contribution of research to the wider social work skill and knowledge base and to socially constructive outcomes.
2. Locate and appraise existing research literature, to guide research and practice.
3. Examine common approaches evident in social work research, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of these to make appropriate methodological choices.
4. Identify the ethical issues relevant to the conduct of human research and devise appropriate strategies to manage these concerns.
5. Utilise professional ethical principles to balance the rights and protection of potentially vulnerable research participants.
6. Design a social work practice research project that is methodologically rigorous, feasible and ethical.
7. Demonstrate the ability to choose appropriate data analysis strategies.
8. Draw on a critically reflexive approach to ensure rigour and transparency in research.

• Preparatory research overview (500 words) 10%
• Literature review (2500 - 3000 words) 25%
• Research proposal (3500 - 4000 words) 35%
• Reflective evaluation of learning and presentation (500 words) 20%
• In-class exam (1000 words ) 10%

• This unit is taught intensively, via day and distance education, over a 9 week period, beginning in Semester 2 Orientation week
• As a double weighted unit, a total of 288 hours of study is expected to be completed over the semester; this will include in-class or online seminars, tutorial activities, reflective journal, weekly readings, and assignment preparation
• One (1) day of on-campus attendance will be required for distance education students.

See also Unit timetable information

Social work