SOCWORK 414 : Research and Evaluation in Social Practice

Education and Social Work

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An exploration of relevant social work research literature and approaches to data analysis, and the undertaking of a research project. Develops confidence and skills in the application of practice research principles, problem definition, critical review of relevant literature and analysis of existing qualitative data to inform professional practice in social work and social services.

Course Overview

In this course, we will deepen our understandings of methodologies and methods utilized in social research, along with when and why each might be most usefully employed. We will look at some different ways research data can be analyzed. You will turn your research problem into a focussed research question, and using the literature synthesis you drafted in SOCWORK312, you will develop a research proposal in which you will justify the decisions you make. Ethical implications of each step of the research process will be further examined.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: SOCWORK 312 Restriction: SOCWORK 714, 734, 780

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Social Work

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Gain greater knowledge of research paradigms, including philosophical underpinnings, different methodological approaches, application of methods and approaches to analysis. (Capability 1.4, 3.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2 and 8.1)
  2. Understand the strengths, weakness and ethical issues inherent in a variety of methodological approaches. (Capability 1.4, 3.3, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 8.1)
  3. Develop an understanding of all stages of social research design, and justify decisions made for each. (Capability 1.4, 3.2, 3.3, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 8.1)
  4. Feel confident in structuring and writing up a social research proposal. (Capability 1.4, 3.2, 3.3, 4.3, 5.2, 6.1 and 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Research proposal 60% Individual Coursework
Assignments 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Research proposal
Assignments

To pass this course students must submit all assessments and achieve at least 50% for the overall course.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, across the semester you can expect a total of 14 hours of lectures, 15 hours of labs, 2-3 hours of reading and thinking about the content for every credit (i.e., a 15 credit course is between 35-45 hours for the semester). A required  2.5-3.5 hours of work on assignments per week is necessary for success in this course.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Weekly two-hour lectures will be followed by a one-hour tutorial (starting week two). 

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

A digital list with required and optional weekly readings will be available via Canvas. Most readings will be available electronically via the UoA library; others will be available at the UoA library in hard copy.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

None noted

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2023 08:28 p.m.