Unit Outline

Social Work Research Practice examines research methodologies that are utilised by social workers in working towards a more just, humane and inclusive society. Themes of decolonisation, collaboration and sustainability create a focus for designing research processes that are participative and ethical, and informed by diverse knowledges, including First Nations knowledges. You will use existing research-evidence from a range of sources to identify a research project you could implement. Using critical analysis and critical reflection, you will be equipped with knowledge, skills and techniques in research development appropriate and consistent with a social change agenda and the ethical base of social work theory and practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Design projects and research that respect and take into account the diversity of values and cultural protocols of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
2.	Propose ethical, methodologically sound and responsible social work research with diverse populations that tackles locally meaningful and world relevant global challenges.
3.	Plan collaborative and cooperative social work projects and research that can improve people’s lives.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	HGW302, HGW303, HGW308, HGW312, HGW327

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This unit is subject to regular evaluation through the UTAS online student feedback system, eVALUate. You will also have the opportunity to provide informal feedback during the semester.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Two Online quizzes	Week 2	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Rationale for a research project	Week 5	30 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Research proposal	Week 10	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Two Online quizzes

Task Description:

For each of the two quizzes, you will answer 10 questions in 30 minutes

Week 1 online quiz will open at 9am Monday 26 February and close at 9am Tuesday 12 March
Week 2 online quiz will open at 9am Monday 4 February and close at 9am Tuesday 12 March

Task Length:

30 minutes

Due Date:

Week 2 (12/Mar/2024)

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Specify the purposes, principles and approaches underpinning social work research practice	LO2, LO3
2	Articulate the values, protocols and approaches of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Rationale for a research project

Task Description:

Rationale for a research project

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 5 (05/Apr/2024)

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Build a case for the importance of your topic using evidence from a range of knowledge sources (30%)	LO2, LO3
2	Evaluate current research knowledge about your topic through a review of the published research literature (40%)	LO2
3	Propose a research question/s to address a gap in current knowledge about your topic (10%)	LO3
4	Communicate in writing in accordance with professional and academic standards (20%)	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Research proposal

Task Description:

Research proposal

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 10 (06/May/2024)

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Develop a rationale for a research project (15%)	LO2, LO3
2	Formulate a plan for an ethically and methodologically sound research project (50%)	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Elaborate on how your proposed research project links to the collaborative, decolonising and/or sustainability agendas of social work (15%)	LO1, LO3
4	Communicate in writing in accordance with professional and academic standards (20%)	LO2

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes.

To be eligible to pass this unit, you need to:

• Attempt or submit each assessment task
• Achieve an overall minimum mark of 50% in order to pass this unit. You do not need to pass every assessment task to achieve a pass in the unit.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

You will need the following text:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed.). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

You can purchase the book from online booksellers such as Booktopia. The UTAS library will have copies (access may be limited in times of high demand). I do recommend you purchase this book - most of the weekly readings are chapters from this book and you will also find the other chapters invaluable for your assessment tasks (and future social work practice). It is relatively inexpensive – some booksellers have it at a reduced price and/or the e-book version.

Required weekly readings:

WEEK 1:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 1 Social work research. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 3-38). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 2:
Bennett. B. (2015). ‘Stop deploying your White privilege on me!’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement with the Australian Association of Social Workers. Australian Social Work, 68(1), 19-31.
Walter M., & Suina, M. (2019). Indigenous data, indigenous methodologies and indigenous data sovereignty. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 22(3), 233-243.

WEEK 3:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 2 Choosing your topic area. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 39-52). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 4:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 4 Steps in the research process. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 81-109). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 5:
Banks, S. (2019). Chapter 4 Ethics and social research. In M. Walter (Ed.) Social research methods (4th ed., pp. 83-118). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

WEEK 6:
Flynn, C., & McDermott, F. (2016). Chapter 5 Research design: Shaping your study. In Doing research in social work and social care (pp. 83-100). London: Sage Publications.

WEEK 7:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 7 Surveys and interviews. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 160-197). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 8:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 14 Producing results: Qualitative research’. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 343-366). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 15 Producing results: Quantitative research. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 367-384). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 9:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 18 Influencing policy and practice. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 453-476). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 10: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 12 Research in post- disaster recovery and other crisis situations. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 297-319). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.