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

As a result of student feedback, we have amended the first assessment task for this unit.

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:	Rationale for a research project	Week 5	35 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Collaborative Project Design	Week 10	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Research proposal	Week 10	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Rationale for a research project

Task Description:

Rationale for a research project

-

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 5 (28/Mar/2025)

Weight:

35 %

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 2: Collaborative Project Design

Task Description:

Collaborative project design within weekly Q&A sessions

-

Task Length:

Attend at least 3 Q&A sessions

Due Date:

Week 10 (09/May/2025)

Weight:

15 %

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

You will need the following text:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed.). Taylor & Francis Group.

You can purchase a physical copy of the book from online booksellers such as Booktopia. The UTAS library will also have physical copies (access may be limited in times of high demand) as well as access to the eBook version.

Required weekly readings:

Week 1:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 1 Social work research. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 3-38). Taylor & Francis Group.

Tilbury, C., Hughes, M., Bigby, C., & Hitchcock, C. (2023). Advancing social work research in Australia: Experience researcher perspectives. Australian Social Work, 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1080.0312407X.2023.2251434

Gibbs, A., & Stirling, B. (2013). ‘It’s about people and their environment’: Student social workers’ definitions of social work research. Social Work Education, 32(3), 317-330. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2012.658365

Week 2:

Rowe, S., Baldry, E., & Earles, W. (2015). Decolonising social work research: Learning from critical Indigenous approaches. Australian Social Work, 68(3), 296-308. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2015.1024264

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. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2013.840325

Walter, M., & Suina, M. (2019). Indigenous data, Indigenous methodologies and Indigenous data sovereignty. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 22(3), 233-243. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2018.1531228

Week 3:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 2 Choosing your topic area. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 39-52). Taylor & Francis Group.

Week 4:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 3 Developing research questions. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 53-80). Taylor & Francis Group.

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 4 Steps in the research process. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 81-109). Taylor & Francis Group.

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.

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 9 How do I evaluate my program? In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 227-251). Taylor & Francis Group.

Week 7:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 5 Sampling. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 113-132). Taylor & Francis Group.

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 7 Surveys and interviews. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 160-197). Taylor & Francis Group.

Week 8:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 14 Producing results: Qualitative research. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 343-366). Taylor & Francis Group.

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 15 Producing results: Quantitative research. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 367-384). Taylor & Francis Group.

Week 9:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 18 Influencing policy and practice. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 453-476). Taylor & Francis Group.

Week 10:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 12 Research in post- disaster recovery and other crisis situations. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 297-319). Taylor & Francis Group.