Unit name | Dissertation / Work-Based Project |
---|---|
Unit code | SPOLM0027 |
Credit points | 60 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
Unit director | Professor. Macdonald |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
N/A |
Co-requisites |
N/A |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This Unit gives professionals in children and families social work an opportunity to contribute to the development of evidence-based practice, and to be part of a developing field of enquiry. The Dissertation, a piece of work, of up to 12,000 words, is the culmination of the student's progress through the programme and the opportunity to build on the learning about research methods previously undertaken, and to apply appropriate practical, methodological and intellectual skills to an extended piece of research, service development or evaluation, or other equivalent practice-focused study. It allows the student to select a field of inquiry relevant to social work and to carry out independent study over a sustained period. Student learning will be supported by regular individual supervision sessions with an assigned member of academic staff, though the expectation is that the dissertation is primarily an individual piece of work. The Unit aims to:
On successful completion of the Unit, students should be able to:
A Dissertation of 10,000 to 15,000 words.
Students will research a relevant area of literature and undertake either an empirical or theoretical study or practice-based project that addresses a topic or issue within the broad field of social work with children and families. They will be expected to demonstrate subject matter expertise in that topic through the research work undertaken.
Blaxter, L, Hughes, C & Tight, M (2006) How to Research (3rd ed), Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
Corby, B. (2006) Applying Research in Social Work Practice. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Denscombe M. (2010), The Good Research Guide for Small Scale Social Research Projects. Maidenhead: Open University Press. 4th Edition.
Oliver P (2010) Understanding the Research Process, London: Sage
Robson, C. (2002) Real World Research. Oxford: Blackwell.
Shaw, I, et al.(eds) (2010) The SAGE Handbook of Social Work Research. London : Sage Publications.