SWH401 Social Research for Social Change
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | SWH401 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | SWB100 or HHB100 |
| Equivalent(s): | SWB401 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | The Commonwealth supported place student contribution amount for this unit depends upon the course of study. Find out more |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,024 |
| International unit fee | $4,224 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | SWH401 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | SWB100 or HHB100 |
| Equivalent: | SWB401 |
| Coordinator: | Michelle Newcomb | michelle.newcomb@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Social service organisations are increasingly interested in methods for evaluating and authenticating program outcomes. Furthermore, professionals in these organisations need processes and procedures to analyse and address practice problems and contribute to the evaluation and development of models for service delivery. This unit equips you with knowledge and skills to investigate models of service and practice questions and to develop recommendations for change. A range of particular methods for developing, evaluating and improving models of social service and social care delivery will be examined including reflective practice, participatory action research, service evaluation and quality assurance processes, and the use of empirical research to inform practice. You will be able to apply methods learnt to a range of service delivery and practice contexts.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the key features of selected research methodologies relevant to social work, social care and human service practice, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
- Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of various strategies for practice oriented research enhancing students career development and employability.
- Strategically select and apply research methodologies to specific professional practice and service development, that are responsive to diverse cultural perspectives and sustainability.
- Apply professional research writing skills to real-world issues and communicate a research argument, and contribute to academic and professional discourse.
Content
- Introduction and overview of unit;
- The role of research and inquiry processes in practice and service development;
- Developing an assessment plan;
- Module 1: Reflective practice - the foundation of practice oriented research
- Module 2: Empirical research
- Module 3: Participatory action research and research co design
- Module 4: Service evaluation and other organisational inquiry processes
Relates to learning outcomes
Learning outcomes link to:
AASW Education and Accreditation Standards (2020): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.4, 6.1, 6.4, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.3
AASW Practice Standards (2013): 4.3, 44
ACWA Core Competencies: 1.2, 1.6, 3.1, 3.2
Learning Approaches
The unit is presented as a series of four modules, each consisting of three sessions where you will learn about, discuss and apply the approaches. There is also an introductory session that will help you develop a framework for your learning in this unit, including the development of your assessment plan. Scenarios and examples will be drawn from a range of practice and service contexts. Approaches include videos, scenario analysis, on-line and group work exercises including various Canvas functionalities. A high level of independent study as well as student participation will be facilitated.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will be both summative and formative. Exercises for the portfolio tasks are commenced in the face to face sessions each week. You have the opportunity to develop their responses and seek feedback. Formative feedback on the first portfolio will assist you with the second.
Assessment
Overview
Throughout the semester you will be required to document your learning through the use of a portfolio. This portfolio should contain a record of your engagement in the learning activities of the unit. Each week a specific research task will be undertaken within class. You will have the opportunity to make a start on the task within the workshop each week with support from your peers and guidance from the lecturer. There will then be opportunity for you to finalise these tasks and incorporate them within a portfolio. Detailed instructions and assessment criteria are provided separately. Both portfolios are eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Portfolio
Modules 1 and 2 involve four short tutorial exercise scenarios or tasks. Your role is social work or human services researcher. The purpose is to apply research methodologies relevant to critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of practice oriented research. You are required to strategically select and apply research methods to real-world issues and communicate a research argument, that contributes to academic and professional discourse. The research approach must be responsive to diverse cultural perspectives and sustainability. Emphasis will be placed on using professional social work research and writing skills required in a practice setting. The product is documented artifacts for your portfolio and will be viewed by a hypothetical social work research supervisor.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Portfolio
Extending on Modules 1and 2 learnings, Modules 3 and 4 involve four short tutorial exercise scenarios or tasks. Your role is social work or human services researcher. The purpose is to describe the key features of selected research methodologies relevant to social work, social care and human service practice; including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. You will identify and use research methods relevant to specific professional practice and service settings and construct an academic written research argument on contribution to professional research in practice. The product is documented artifacts for your portfolio and will be viewed by a hypothetical social work research supervisor.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Alston, M. (2018). Research for Social Workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003117094
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.SW04 Bachelor of Social Work
- Construct and implement strategies for engaging in critical thinking and decision-making, utilising advanced research knowledge and skills to inform culturally safe practice, and promote social justice from diverse perspectives. [Practice, Knowledge, Values and Disposition]
Relates to: Portfolio, Portfolio - Critically examine tenets of diversity and diverse perspectives in social work, and advocate for a socially just society and the promotion of human dignity that reflect different social, political, cultural and historical circumstances, on the beliefs, values and aspirations of various groups, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. [Values and Disposition, Knowledge, Practice]
Relates to: Portfolio, Portfolio
SW05 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
- Formulate and implement strategies using advanced knowledge and research skills to analyse, consolidate and synthesise social and practice evidence to generate solutions and to inform professional practice and decision-making
Relates to: Portfolio, Portfolio - Develop advanced knowledge, skills and values, to inform culturally safe communication and effective intra- and inter-professional collaboration and with a wide range of audiences and contexts, including accessing, evaluating and utlising digital health information.
Relates to: Portfolio, Portfolio - Construct and implement strategies for practising collaboratively and independently, focused on socially progressive, anti-oppressive, culturally safe and ethical practice, integral to the standards of professional social work practice
Relates to: Portfolio, Portfolio