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SWRK3005

Social Work Research

10 Units 3000 Level Course

Available in 2013

Callaghan Campus Semester 2

Previously offered in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007

Students will develop an understanding of the role that research plays in social work practice and competence in planning a practice-based research study that would inform social work intervention. Students will attain knowledge and skills in qualitative and quantitative methods that may be used in practice-based social research. Ethical issues and critical debates in social work research will also be examined.

Objectives The purpose of this course is to equip social work students with the skills and knowledge required to conduct practice-based research in the social work context. Students will:
1. Understand the role of research in social work practice
2. Be able to critically review the published research.
3. Develop knowledge in quantitative and qualitative research methods and an understanding of when particular methods are most appropriate to answer different types of research questions encountered in social work practice.
4. Gain practical skills in gathering and analysing research data.
5. Develop competence in identifying and appropriately responding to ethical and cultural issues encountered in social work research.
6. Engaged in informed debate on social, political, ethical, technical and practical issues surrounding social work research, particularly in relation to diverse cultural groups.
7. Understand and critique the use of evidence based practice in social work.

Students undertaking the honours stream of the degree will use the learning and tasks in this course as the basis for the individual research thesis completed in the final year of the degree.
Content * The role of research in social work practice.
* Designing a research project.
* Gathering quantitative and qualitative data.
* Analysing quantitative and qualitative data.
* Ethical and political issues in social work
* Critical appraisal of published research.
* Writing a research proposal.
Replacing Course(s) Replacing SWRK4003
Transition Not applicable because current progression and concurrent courses rules mean no student will be adversely affected.
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge Completion of all 2nd year and semester 1 3rd year SWRK courses in the Bachelor of Social Work program.
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Case Study
Experience Based Learning
Self Directed Learning
Student Projects
Workshop
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments Written assignment 2000 words, 50%
Essays / Written Assignments Written assignment 3000 words, 50%
Projects There are ungraded assessment tasks in this course (satisfactory/unsatisfactory). Students must successfully complete these assessment tasks to pass the course. These tasks are undertaken in class time.
Contact Hours Workshop: for 3 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Compulsory Components
Requisite by Enrolment This course is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program.
Students must have completed all SWRK courses in the 2nd year and semester 1 of 3rd year in the BSW schedule in order to enrol in the course.
Timetables 2013 Course Timetables for SWRK3005