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Researching Social Work Practice 1 (SCWK90069)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
September
Dr William Abur
Overview
Availability | September |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The aim of the subject is to familiarise students with a range of approaches useful for researching social work practice. In this subject “practice” is defined broadly to encompass policy and organisational practice as well as practice with individuals, groups and communities.
Social work research methods are used in all aspects of social work practice from describing and attempting to understand the issues with which, and the people with whom we work, to establishing the effectiveness of what we do. There is increasingly an emphasis on evidence-based practice, which necessitates an ability to evaluate and use research evidence to inform practice. Social workers move in increasing numbers and earlier in their careers into roles requiring them to initiate as well as participate in practice based research. The organisations in which social workers work are increasingly promoting a culture of practice research in an attempt to plan and evaluate service delivery in a reflective and thoughtful way.
The lectures and seminars will present a range of practice research issues, broadly mirroring the research process in the field. They will also offer examples and identify opportunities for practice research and the challenges confronting practitioners in undertaking it.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Describe and discuss the diverse methodologies that inform social work practice research in a diverse range of contexts;
- Identify recent developments in social work research;
- Articulate ethical issues involved in social work research; and
- Describe the processes for engaging service users or consumers in social work research.
Skills
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Critically analyse research literature as a basis for evidence-based practice;
- Communicate the results of social work practice research in ways relevant to both academic and practice contexts;
- Discuss areas of research relevance to social work; and
- Formulate research questions arising from social work practice situations including those concerning social policy and program development.
Application of Knowledge and Skills
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Utilise and analyse methodological pluralism in relation to social work practice research;
- Apply knowledge and skills to evaluate and implement research findings in the fields of social work practice, including child and family health and mental health; and
- Apply foundational skills in developing and implementing a research design through appropriate data collection and analysis methods.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- critically analyse texts and practices
- link theory to practice
- competently communicate in ways relevant to both academic and practice contexts
- undertake independent research
Last updated: 9 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 9 February 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Written essay
| Mid teaching period | 40% |
Individual research proposal (poster) and 10 minute oral presentation
| End of the teaching period | 60% |
Hurdle - attendance at minimum 50% of seminars Hurdle requirement: Attendance at a minimum 50% of tutorials is a hurdle requirement. | N/A |
Last updated: 9 February 2024
Dates & times
- September
Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours (8 x 1 hour lecture, 8 x 2 hour seminars) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 September 2024 to 3 November 2024 Last self-enrol date 13 September 2024 Census date 20 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 25 October 2024 Assessment period ends 22 November 2024 September contact information
Dr William Abur
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 9 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Prescribed readings will be available on LMS.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Social Work - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 9 February 2024