SWN020 Practice Research Project
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: | SWN020 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | SWN019 |
| 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 | $2,976 |
| International unit fee | $4,152 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | SWN020 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | SWN019 |
| Coordinator: | Danielle Davidson | danielle.davidson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Research skills are a required competency for Social Workers. Social workers need to have an understanding of relevant social research methods but must also be capable of implementing these methods to produce research outcomes of significance. This is a capstone (final) unit that synthesises the knowledge and skills gained across your degree, in particular your learning in SWN019 Research Skills for Social Work. Within this unit you will design and implement a research project in a rigorous and ethical manner. This research project is a major scholarly endeavour and serves as a critical component of the capstone experience as it assesses the application of your 'whole of course' knowledge, skills and values and aligns with the completion of your final placement and your Professional Learning Plan.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Implement a social work research project utilising appropriate methods in a rigorous and ethical manner;
- Collect and analyse qualitative and / or quantitative research data to construct a coherent set of findings of significance within the social work discipline;
- Demonstrate scholarly communication, digital and technical conventions to justify and interpret theories, methods and findings; and
- Evaluate the significance, strengths and limitations of your research within the context of a relevant body of knowledge.
- Problem-solve challenges associated with conducting research in an iterative, systematic and evidence based way.
Content
The unit will support the completion of your project through the development of knowledge and skills in the following areas:
- consideration of research ethics;
- rigorous data collection and analysis;
- appropriate interpretation of findings;
- presentation of findings using established conventions of scholarly social work research; and
- written and verbal communication skills appropriate to the translation and dissemination of social work research knowledge.
Students will be offered the option of one of three research methodology streams:
1) Critical Reflection
2) Critical Discourse Analysis
3) Systematic Literature Review.
Relates to learning outcomes
AASW Accreditation standards: 3.3.1; 3.3.2; 3.3.3; 3.3.5; 3.3.7.
AASW Practice Standards: 1.1; 1.2; 2.1; 2.2; 4.1; 4.2; 4.3; 4.4; 5.3; 5.4; 7.2; 8.3
The unit facilitates knowledge of the Code of Ethics into social work practice.
Learning Approaches
This unit extends and synthesises knowledge gained and assessments completed in SWN002, SWN003 and SWN019 and your whole of course. You will undertake this research in a supported manner via both relevant academic staff and also peer review. Content will be a mixture of lectures and small group discussion with peers, and facilitated by staff to provide focused guidance on the research process.
Career development and employability:
There is an emphasis on you developing 'real world' research skills including but not limited to:
- Conducting research on your selected topic
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Dissemination of research findings in the format of a journal article
- Showing how you might share your research with the broader social work field after graduation
- Peer networking made available through the on-campus, in-person workshops, and various social media groupings
- In class group discussions offer opportunities to share your work in progress to give and get peer feedback
All these skills are crucial to you acquiring the skills designated as at the AQF9 level and mandated by the AASW. Discussions will occur throughout the unit about future research careers, including developing your own portfolios of research practice evidence.
Embedded support for learning: Student Success staff assist the delivery of this unit to offer support to both individuals and groups, including through Studiosity. Weekly postings of the Student Success offerings are made through the unit's online learning platform. Unit staff also offer students considerable 'pastoral care' and make referrals to the QUT Counselling Services when necessary. There is a formal session facilitated by the library in class time to take you through using library related research tools. The Library Liaison person is on hand to assist with the sourcing of learning materials and show you how to use various data bases after this session.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Formative feedback shall be provided throughout the semester as the research process unfolds. Summative feedback will be provided on the 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) and individual presentation.
Assessment
Overview
This unit relates to AQF9, which requires students to complete a piece of individual research. It is the 'sister' unit of SWN019, where you learn how to construct a research proposal. SWN019 is a prerequisite unit to this unit.
There are three pieces of assessment in this unit: 1) Three Minute Thesis (3MT) (20%); 2) the Individual Presentation (20%); and 3) the Final Report (60%). Both are directly linked to each other. The presentation offers you the opportunity to go over your work in progress for the Final Report.
1. Three Minute Thesis (3MT): Explaining your research in a short time frame, and in a language lay people understand, is an important skill. What if a potential funder or supervisor was in the lift with you – how would you explain and “pitch” your research? This assessment task provides you with the opportunity to explain your research, background, aims and significance.
2. Individual Presentation: The presentation provides you with the opportunity to share the progress you have made on your research project with staff and peers.
3. Research article: Research is one of the five modes of social work practice. The authentic role you will be occupying is as a social work researcher. You will disseminate your research findings in a journal article format, which provides the opportunity for future peer review publication. This is authentic because social work graduates must meet AQF9, which means you are able to conduct cohesive research to an important social issue and disseminate the findings in an accessible format.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Three Minute Thesis
As a social work researcher you are required to give a three minute presentation on your research for a non-specialist audience. You should present your research proposal including the gap in knowledge, research question and aims, theoretical framework, and methodology. The presentation will be delivered in person with the aid of a single Powerpoint slide.
Assessment: Individual Presentation
As a social work researcher you will deliver a verbal presentation detailing the progress you have made on implementing your research project. In this presentation you will outline the significance of your research and its aims, justify the selected theories, demonstrate the application of your chosen method, and discuss preliminary findings. This presentation provides you the opportunity to discuss the way in which you have applied your research project to date, and outline how you have addressed challenges in implementing your chosen method. The presentation will be supported by a PowerPoint slide show or other similar electronic format. Summative feedback will be given on the presentation and the content of the PowerPoint. This oral will be given to peers and members of the teaching team in weekly tutorials where audience members are encouraged to ask questions and provide constructive feedback.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Research Report
As a social work researcher you will disseminate your research findings and contribution to the field of social work in a research paper. The format of this paper is a peer review journal that could be published in a peer reviewed journal, such as Australian Social Work. Your paper will consist of an introduction and background to the research, a literature review highlighting the significance of your research, research questions and aims, methodology, findings, and overall discussion of implications for social work knowledge and or practice.
This is an authentic piece of assessment:
a. Your role is social work researcher
b. Your audiences are the people affected by the issue/s you focus on in your study
c. Your purpose is to conduct an independent piece of research
d. Your product is your research paper.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension
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
The QUT Library Liaison staff are happy to assist students with their data base research.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
D'Cruz, H., & Jones, M. (2014). Social work research in practice. London: Sage.
Recommended text(s)
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Research for social workers: an introduction to methods (4th ed.). Crows Nest, NSW, Allen and Unwin.
Dudley, J. (2010). Research methods for social work: Being producers and consumers of research. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Other
Web based resources:
Students will have access to Databases including Social Work Abstracts, Australian Public Affairs, Family and Society Plus, Social Services Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts.
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.SW81 Master of Social Work - Qualifying
- Critically evaluate and apply critical social work theories, knowledge and skills that reflect the professional standards of the discipline and identify with the values and ethics that guide professional practice, including the recognition of diversity, human rights and promotion of social equality and justice.
Relates to: Individual Presentation, Research Report - Formulate strategies for engaging in critical thinking, decision making, critically reflective and culturally safe practice to create innovative and contextually responsive interventions that work towards emancipatory change.
Relates to: Individual Presentation, Research Report - Apply digital capabilities while accessing and evaluating relevant bodies of knowledge that guide collaborative, intra- and inter-professional practice with diverse populations (individual, groups, communities) to promote and advancing socially just outcomes.
Relates to: Individual Presentation - Communicate respectfully and work effectively with diverse groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, LGBTINBQ+, refugee, disabled and older populations, their families, carers, interprofessional teams and community leaders, to ensure safe and coordinated support for their interests and rights.
Relates to: Individual Presentation, Research Report - Practise professional integrity, and effective written, oral and digital communication to analyse and convey complex information and build productive relationships across diverse stakeholders to promote ethical social work practice.
Relates to: Individual Presentation, Research Report