Researching Social Work Practice 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject builds on the theoretical and skill base of SCWK50001 Researching Social Work Practice, with students learning to apply the research method of a scoping review. Students will be encouraged to select a field of social work practice of interest, and to explore, organise and develop an overview of the existing published evidence base. This subject will introduce students to each phase of the research method, including establishing a research question, identifying relevant studies, selecting appropriate studies and collating summarizing and reporting the results of the review of literature. The subject concludes with a focus on preparing research findings for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

On completion of this subject, students will be able to demonstrate:

• An understanding of the value of evidence based and evidence informed practice in social work; An understanding of the purpose, strengths and limitations of a scoping review

• An ability to critically evaluate existing social work qualitative or quantitative research evidence;

• An ability to conduct a scoping review of social work research evidence from either a qualitative or quantitative perspective;

• An ability to prepare and write a journal article.

1000 word written essay (proposal) (due end of semester 1) 20%

4000 word essay (article format) (due end of semester 2) 80%

Prescribed readings will be available on the LMS.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject, students will be able to:

• critically analyse texts and practices;
• understand recent developments in social work contexts of practice;
• link theory to practice;
• competently communicate in ways relevant to both academic and practice contexts;
• undertake independent research.