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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Research Methods in Social Work |
| Unit code |
SPOLM0057 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Turner |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit aims to acquaint students with the principles and ethics of social work research and a critical understanding of the application of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including mixed methods. Students will also develop their skills and critical consumers of the research literature and be able to undertake a systematic search and review of research literature.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Identify and analyse critically the quality and use of research in social work and policy.
- Identify commonly arising errors in research,
- Search the literature and critically appraise and synthesise primary and secondary research.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of research methods, and key concepts and practical and ethical issues in different research designs.
- Pose answerable research questions and design an empirical study using the methods most suited to answering them
Teaching Information
Teaching will be delivered through blended learning involiving a combination of syncronic and asyncronic sessions, including online lectures, study groups and self-directed exercises
Workshops and consultation on developing a research proposal will also take place.
Assessment Information
A summative assessment comprising a 1500 word structured dissertation outline proposal (ILOs 1-5) (100%)
Reading and References
- Babbie, E.R. (2013)
The Practice of Social Research (13th ed.) UK: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. -Bryman, A. (2016)
Social Research Methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Creswell, J. (2014).
Research Design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3
rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. - Gilbert N, Stoneman, P (ed.) (2015)
Researching Social Life. (4
thnd ed.) London: Sage. - Schutt, R.K. (2012)
Investigating the Social World, London: Sage. -Becker, S., Bryman, A. and Ferguson, H. (2012)
Understanding Research for Social Policy and Social Work: Themes, Methods and Approaches, 2
nd edn. Bristol: Policy Press. - Hardwick, L. and Worsley, A. (2011)
Doing Social Work Research, London: Sage. - McLaughlin, H. (2012)
Understanding Social Work Research, 2
nd edn. London: Sage. - Whittaker, A. (2012)
Research Skills for Social Work, London: Sage.
