Unit Outline

This unit serves as the capstone experience for the Social Work Research Pathway, enabling students to undertake an independent and substantial research projects that builds on their prior study of research methods and design. Under the guidance of academic supervisors, students will develop and produce an 8,000-10,000-word significant piece of work on a topic of their choosing, demonstrating capacity for critical inquiry, advanced research skills, and academic communication. The unit will strengthen students’ ability to meaningfully contribute to social work knowledge and practice while preparing them for future research opportunities, including postgraduate research studies.

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	Demonstrates advanced understanding of research methods by designing and conducting and independent research project relevant to social work
2	Critically engages with relevant research literature to situate research project within existing knowledge and theoretical frameworks
3	Demonstrates understanding of ethical considerations in social work research by addressing issues of power, positionality, and responsibility
4	Develops and articulates a well-structured significant piece of work that demonstrates critical analysis, methodological rigour, and academic writing proficiency
5	Reflects on how social work research informs and strengthens the profession’s commitment to ethical, sustainable, socially just, and decolonised practice

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	HGW423, HGW427, HGW428
Concurrent Pre-requisite	HGW429

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In response to the feedback from previous student cohort, changes have been made which may include adjustments to assessments and alignment of some of the timelines. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2026, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the 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:	Presentation of Thesis Plan and Research Findings	Week 1	0 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Thesis (Research Pathway) (100% of total mark)	Week 7	100 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Presentation of Thesis Plan and Research Findings

Task Description:

You will present your progress of your research, including your preliminary research findings, and the completion plan for your thesis write up. You will have 10 minutes to present and a further 10 minutes for facilitated discussion.

Task Length:

20 minutes

Due Date:

Week 1

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Develops and clearly articulates thesis plan and achievable timeline for submission of thesis	LO1, LO2, LO4
2	Presents preliminary research findings, discussing and analysing data drawing clearly upon the findings presented	LO2, LO3, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Thesis (Research Pathway) (100% of total mark)

Task Description:

You will be required to produce a significant piece of work in the form of an 8,000-10,000-word thesis on a topic of your choosing that is relevant to social work. Your thesis can be presented traditional in chapters or as a hybrid (including a structured journal article within the body of your thesis).

Task Length:

8,000-10,000 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

100 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Develops an original research question relevant to social work	LO1
2	Critically examines relevant literature and theoretical perspectives to provide a rationale for the research	LO2
3	Articulates and justifies the methodology and methods used and critically discusses the strengths and limitations	LO1, LO4
4	Presents research findings with clear connections to the relevant literature and research question.	LO2, LO4
5	Discusses ethical considerations and implications of the research for social work and provide well-reasoned conclusions	LO3, LO5
6	Communicate your ideas effectively in writing, adhering to professional, cultural and academic contexts and standards	LO1, LO4

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.