| Effective Term: | 2025/02 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Education, Arts & Community |
| Unit Title: | Social Work Research |
| Unit ID: | BSWUG4004 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 090501 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit requires students to develop research as a resource for social work practice. It introduces students to research paradigms, methodologies, methods and strategies that are necessary to undertake research and evaluation in a practice or an academic context. Students will learn to examine the nature of evidence by evaluating existing research and/or evidence and unpack the ways in which it has been produced and for what purpose and how it informs their practice. Furthermore, students will learn techniques, such as designing a research project, recognising ethical dilemmas in undertaking research, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | |  | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Appraise the major research traditions relevant to Social Work |
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| K2. | Understand the interrelationships between epistemology, ontology, theoretical perspectives, methodology and methods; |
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| K3. | Critically appraise research methodologies and their application in social work research; |
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| K4. | Determine and differentiate between ethical issues pertinent to research in Social Work contexts and; |
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| K5. | Design research proposal by applying knowledge of the research processes, including, methodologies/methods and ethical considerations. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Independent research, time management and planning skills; |
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| S2. | Skills in evaluating various techniques for gathering and analysing data, including qualitative and quantitative approaches; |
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| S3. | Identify potential ethical issues relating to participant engagement, data collection, data analysis and dissemination of findings; |
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| S4. | Investigate, evaluate, analyse and synthesise concepts and issues pertaining to research for Social Work contexts; |
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| S5. | Written and verbal communication skills for the appropriate dissemination of research to a range of audiences and; |
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| S6. | Competence in accessing and utilising databases and evidence to research practice issues. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Determine the most appropriate research methods for inquiry in a given Social Work context; |
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| A2. | Critically evaluate the usefulness and validity of research data for Social Work practice |
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| A3. | Develop skills in conducting a literature search, and writing up a literature review investigating a given topic in Social Work research |
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| A4. | Develop competence and creativity in developing the design and articulating a proposal for a Social Work research project |
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| A5. | Develop competence in completing an appropriate ethics application for research involving humans |
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| Unit Content: |
This unit requires students to develop research as a resource for social work practice. It introduces students to research paradigms, methodologies, methods and strategies that are necessary to undertake research and evaluation in a practice or an academic context. Students will learn to examine the nature of evidence by evaluating existing research and/or evidence and unpack the ways in which it has been produced and for what purpose and how it informs their practice. Furthermore, students will learn techniques, such as designing a research project, recognising ethical dilemmas in undertaking research, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings.
Topics may include:
What is Research? What is Research: Varied contexts and purposes of research in social work. Different ways of knowing/Philosophy of Research What is evidence and how is it framed in social work practice and research? Ethical codes and principles that underpin research including, National Human Medical Research Council guidelines and the Australian Association of Social Work Code of Ethics (2020). What are literature Reviews?
Social Work Research Methodologies Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies Emancipatory Research Evidence based Practice (EBP) Service Users and Research Practice Research Anti Oppressive Research Practices Evidenced Based practice
Developing a Research Proposal Components of the Research Design Process: research question, research methodology, Concepts/Variables, Developing a standpoint, ethical consideration etc. Developing a Research Proposal |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K4, S3, S4, S5, A2, A5 | Critical learning exercises will explore key concepts and ethical considerations of research covered in the unit using a range of written and/or oral activities. Hurdle Assessment: Complete the Research Integrity Module. Upon completion print the certificate of completion. | Learning Portfolio | 15%-30% | | 2. | K3, S1, S4, S6, A2, A3 | Students can choose any social work topic and critically evaluate the evidence informing practice, identify a gap in the literature, and develop a clear statement of the problem that needs further investigation. | Literature Review | 30%-45% | | 3. | K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S5, A1, A4, A5 | Students are required to design a research proposal that includes aims/objectives. research questions, concepts/variables, methodologies, methods and ethical considerations. | Research Proposal | 35%-50% |
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