Researching Social Work Practice 2 (SCWK90058)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
February
Rachel Blance-Palmer
Overview
| Availability | February |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject builds on the theoretical and skill base of SCWK90069 Researching Social Work Practice 1, with students learning to apply the research method of a scoping review. Students will be encouraged to select a field of social work practice of interest, and to explore, organise and develop an overview of the existing published evidence base. This subject will introduce students to each phase of the research method, including establishing a research question, identifying relevant studies, selecting appropriate studies and collating summarizing and reporting the results of the review of literature. The subject concludes with a focus on preparing research findings for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Explain the value of evidence based and evidence informed practice in social work;
- Define the stages, purpose, strengths and limitations of a scoping review for social work practice research; and
- Explain differences in sources of literature and their value for evidence syntheses.
Skills
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Derive a suitable research question and search strategy for a scoping review from a narrative problem formulation;
- Critically evaluate, summarise and synthesise available evidence using a variety of methods and strategies; and
- Contextualise the findings from a scoping review within social work practice and policy.
Application of Knowledge and Skills
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Independently complete a scoping review of existing literature including a comprehensive literature search using different databases, platforms and search engines; and
- Write an academic article in compliance with guidelines for peer reviewed articles.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- critically analyse texts and practices;
- understand recent developments in social work contexts of practice;
- link theory to practice;
- competently communicate in ways relevant to both academic and practice contexts;
- undertake independent research.
Last updated: 4 March 2025