SWRK4007

Social Work Thesis part II

Faculty of Education and Arts School of Humanities and Social Science

10 Units 4000 Level Course

Available in 2013

Callaghan Campus	Semester 2

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

Students will complete an honours research project under the supervision of an academic staff member who is the student's honours research supervisor. The course involves the direct application of the research knowledge and skills developed in the previous 3 years of the social work program specifically SWRK 3005. Building on SWRK 4006 students will complete appropriate data collection and analysis and finalise their research thesis.

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to equip social work students with the skills and knowledge required to undertake practice-based research in the social work context. Students will:
* Carry out independent research in the context of social work practice
* Select and administer quantitative and/or qualitative research methods most appropriate to answer a specific research question in social work practice.
* Gain practical skills in gathering and analysing research data.
* Further develop competence in identifying and appropriately responding to ethical issues encountered in social work research.
* Be able to critically review the benefits and shortfalls of published research and complete a literature review for the purpose of a new research project.
* Develop reach application, project management and time management skills
* Develop writing, editing and drafting skills for the purpose of producing a research thesis.
* Engage in informed debate on social, political, ethical, technical and practical issues surrounding social work research.

Content

* The role of research in social work practice.
* Refining and conducting a research project.
* Gathering quantitative and/or qualitative data.
* Analysing quantitative and/or qualitative data.
* Ethical and political issues in social work
* Critical appraisal of published research.
* Writing a literature review
* Writing a research thesis

Replacing Course(s)

Replacing a free elective in the social work program for those students undertaking the honours stream.

Transition

Not applicable because current progression and concurrent courses rules mean no student will be adversely affected.

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

Completion of SWRK 4006 course in the Bachelor of Social Work program.

Modes of Delivery

Flexible Delivery / Student Centred Learning

Teaching Methods

Individual Supervision
Self Directed Learning
Student Projects

Assessment Items

Essays / Written Assignments	Project: Continuation of a research project, under the supervision of a nominated supervisor, which will take the form of a thesis dissertation pertinent to the field of social work practice. Students will receive a graded pass on the completed research thesis: Research Thesis: 10,000 - 12,000 words, 75%
Presentations - Individual	Research Presentation (20 minutes plus questions) Verbal presentation of the thesis conference style, 25%

Contact Hours

Individual Supervision: for 1 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 3rd year and SWRK 4006 in the BSW schedule in order to enrol in the course. Students require a credit average for course work in previous years of study.

Timetables