Introductory description

This module aims to enhance research mindedness in social work students, to encourage and enable independent study at an advanced level. It will: explore the relevance of well-conducted research for social workers; examines different research methodologies and methods; develop skills required to critically analyse research; and consider ethical and practical issues associated with social work research, particularly with regard to vulnerable and oppressed groups. Throughout, it explores the relevance of research for social work policy and practice and enables students to evaluate research relevant to social work policy and practice. It also provides students with the research knowledge and analytical skills required for their dissertation.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Module launch – what is evidence? Evidence-based practice or evidence informed practice?
What is ‘research’ 1 – qualitative methods.
What is ‘research’ 2 – quantitative methods.
What is practice intuition, or practice knowledge?
Service-user generated approaches: action/participatory and emancipatory research.
Ethics, informed consent and values in social work research.
Critical appraisal and thematic analysis.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Identify the different forms of evidence which inform social work practice, and how to find them.
• Demonstrate knowledge of research methodology which can be applied to social work practice.
• Critically analyse evidence to summarise its utility in social work practice.
• Evaluate how micro and macro interventions in social work practice can be assessed.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

TBD

Subject specific skills

Apprentices will be able to identify the different forms of evidence which inform social work practice, and how to find them. Demonstrate knowledge of research methodology which can be applied to social work practice.
Critically analyse evidence to summarise its utility in social work practice. Evaluate how micro and macro interventions in social work practice can be assessed.

Transferable skills

These include appropriate listening and communication skills, self-awareness, emotional intelligence/empathy, problem solving, time management/organisational skills.