Unit rationale, description and aim
Social workers are often required to critique and apply research results and use research and evaluation skills within their work. Social workers undertake literature reviews, collect and analyze data, and present research findings for a wide range of purposes such as grant applications, planning for the improvement in quality and/or delivery of services, needs assessment, cost-benefit analysis, policy analysis and advocacy. It is important for students to learn about the significance and practical application of research skills to everyday professional lives of social workers.
This unit will provide students with theoretical and practical understanding of the research process and an understanding of research as a core component of social work practice. Students will be introduced to research concepts and skills necessary for undertaking research, including critiquing and reviewing literature, designing and planning research, and considering ethical issues. Through experiential classroom learning, students will develop skills in step-by-step approach to undertaking ethical research utilising both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. This unit aims to develop basic skills in students to evaluate, design and conduct social work research which are essential components of social work practice.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Articulate the role of research as a core componen...
Learning Outcome 01
Differentiate research methodologies and approache...
Learning Outcome 02
Identify and respond appropriately to ethical issu...
Learning Outcome 03
Critique current literature and write a literature...
Learning Outcome 04
Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate approa...
Learning Outcome 05
Construct a research or evaluation proposal
Learning Outcome 06
Content
Topics will include:
Role of research in social work
- Evidence based practice
- AASW Professional Attributes
Research approaches
- Research paradigms
- Theoretical approaches
- Evaluation research
- Quantitative and Qualitative research
The research process
- identifying research problems
- conducting literature reviews
- data analysis
- principles of research design
- research methods (data collection, analysis and interpretation)
- dissemination
- Writing a proposal
Ethical considerations in the research process
- codes of ethics and research
- research with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy is to align assessments very closely to the learning outcomes. quizzes are designed to test knowledge of key research concepts through the semester (LO1, LO2, LO3).
The next two assessments directly assess the research skills of writing a literature review and a research proposal (LO4 and LO6).They are authentic research tasks and outcomes that increase in complexity and difficulty. These assessments give students an opportunity to articulate the role of research as a core component of social work practice (LO1) (when discussing the significance of the research topic), to differentiate research methodologies and approaches used in social work research (LO2) (when critiquing literature and when providing a rationale for the choice of methodology proposed and to identify and respond appropriately to ethical issues in social work research (LO3) (when discussing the ethical issues in the proposal and literature review). These tasks also assess students’ understanding of appropriate approaches and ethical considerations in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (LO5) and is related to embedding of Indigenous knowings in the curricula.
Overview of assessments
Quizzes: Enable students to demonstrate an unders...
Quizzes: Enable students to demonstrate an understanding of primary concepts in social work research and the role of research in social work.
20%
Literature Review: Enables students to critique c...
Literature Review: Enables students to critique current literature and write a literature review and to demonstrate skills in understanding, reviewing and synthesising research reports into an argument for conducting proposed research.
40%
Research Proposal: Enables students to construct ...
Research Proposal: Enables students to construct a research or evaluation proposal and to demonstrate skills in designing an appropriate research project.
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Teaching and learning strategies for this unit will include online lectures, computer lab sessions, and small group discussions and Canvas online activities. This combination of activities supports practice of research skills within collaborative peer structures and using technology in designing and conducting research. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively in class discussions, demonstrating respect for the individual as an independent learner. Teacher-centred lecture content will be provided as online presentations using audio/visual elements with rich engaging media allowing students flexible access to asynchronous activities and self-marking quizzes. This will free up face-to-face time for interactive learning in the form of group discussions, simulations, group activities and the use of computer data analysis software.
Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024)
This Unit has been mapped to the ACU Graduate Capabilities and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024) . The following table sets out the broad relationship between the Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and the Graduate Attributes and the Practice Standards (ASWEAS, 2024).
Relating to
Can articulate the ethics underpinning their approach to decisions and actions
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO5
Relating to
Practice in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to support
their priorities and aspirations
Relevant learning outcomeLO5
Relating to
Are aware of the diversity among, and differences between, Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander cultures throughout Australia
Relevant learning outcomeLO5
Relating to
Respect the knowledge and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples, and privilege their voices
Relevant learning outcomeLO5
Relating to
Can recognise and draw upon the cultural knowledge, experience, and wisdom
provided by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to guide approaches to
practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO5
Relating to
Adopt appropriate cultural and communication protocols
Relevant learning outcomeLO5
Relating to
Support action to enable people to live a life free of abuse, neglect, exploitation and
violence
Relevant learning outcomeLO1
Relating to
Conduct their approach to practice respectfully and inclusively with regard to culture
and diversity
Relevant learning outcomeLO6
Relating to
Apply an intersectional lens in their approach to complexities around culture and
diversity
Relevant learning outcomeLO3
Relating to
Adapt and modify their practice on the basis of a critical awareness of how their
personal values, cultures and beliefs impact on their interactions with people
Relevant learning outcomeLO3
Relating to
Practise within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical
understanding of contemporary social work theory and research
Relevant learning outcomeLO2, LO3, LO4, LO6
Relating to
Practise within the limits of their professional scope, knowledge and skills and, where
necessary, direct people to alternative sources of professional advice
Relevant learning outcomeLO3
Relating to
Recognise, and use responsibly, the power and authority they have when exercising
professional judgement affecting people
Relevant learning outcomeLO3
Relating to
Critically assess the quality and veracity of all relevant information to support their
decisions
Relevant learning outcomeLO3, LO4
Relating to
Articulate and promote the unique scope and contribution of social work to the
people they serve, including within interdisciplinary settings
Relevant learning outcomeLO1
Relating to
Be active learners, open to new and emerging knowledge, research and evidence
informing their practice
Relevant learning outcomeLO1