Course coordinator
Dr Amani Kasherwa
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Nursing, Midwifery & Social Wk
This course introduces research as a core practice skill that is important for generating, evaluating and using knowledge in social work and human services practice. Teaching modules concentrate on the social, political, cultural, and ethical context in which research knowledge is generated and used, key research principles and approaches, and skills in designing research and analysing qualitative and quantitative data. Bachelor of Social Work Honours students will need to successfully complete a literature review, ethical clearance critique and design a survey.
Research has a central role in building knowledge for social work practice. It is important in generating new practice knowledge, challenging practice wisdom, informing policy debates, generating theory, testing new interventions, understanding consumer/client/citizen experiences of services and evaluating needs, programs, practices and policies. Research skills are thus an important part of developing a critical stance towards practice and engaging in knowledge generation and use. This course seeks to build core skills in social work research. It is a required course for Bachelor of Social Work Honours students. SWSP3303 develops knowledge and skills that prepare students for their independent research project in the fourth year Honours research courses (SWSP4281, SWSP4282, and SWSP4283).
ASWEAS Required Curriculum Content Areas covered in this course:
The Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) program is accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers.
The Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards (2020) stipulates that accredited social work programs are required to include content that addresses the five core curriculum areas listed below. This course contains content in the following curriculum areas:
1. Constructions of social work purpose, place, and practice: YES
2. Power, oppression, and exploitation: NO
3. The history and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: NO
4. Culture, identity, and discrimination: NO
5. Psychosocial health and wellbeing across the lifecycle: NO
Course requirements
Restrictions
BSocWk(Hons) students only
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Amani Kasherwa
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
All learning activities (lecture and tutorials) are delivered face-to-face on campus.
Please note that tutorials start in week 2 of semester.ﾠ
Aims and outcomes
The Australian Association of Social Workers Practice Standards (2023), Standard 5, requires social workers to be able to "practice within a professional knowledge framework informed by a critical understanding of contemporary social work theory and research." The course aims to develop core skills in using, critiquing, and planning research, to ensure students develop competencies and confidence as both informed users of published research and designers of small scale research projects in social work and human services contexts.ﾠThe objectives are to develop understanding of the logic underpinning research approaches,ﾠthe theory andﾠmethods that can be used to design, implement and analyse research, and the social, political, and ethical context in which research knowledge is generated and used. There is a strong emphasis on a critical understanding of research and theory, inlcudingﾠthe application of research knowledge and skills to practice contexts. The knowledge and skills developed in this course provide the foundation for your independent honours research project in year 4.ﾠ
ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand and apply the fundamental steps in the research process
LO2.
Explain the importance of research to practice
LO3.
Understand the different approaches to knowledge generation
LO4.
Critically evaluate published research
LO5.
Develop research questions and hypotheses
LO6.
Design research to address specific research questions
LO7.
Understand the social, political, cultural and ethical considerations in research
LO8.
Understand the logic behind different approaches to analysing data
LO9.
Critically evaluate the research processes used to examine research questions
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
Mid-Semester Exam
|
40% |
10/09/2024 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Qualitative Research Proposal
|
60% Marked out of 100 |
25/10/2024 1:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Mid-Semester Exam
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
10/09/2024 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05, L07, L08
Task description
Exam mode and content:
The exam will be paper based and students will hand write their answers.
The exam will assess the content covered in weeks 1-7 of the course. Both the lecture material and required readings are assessable.
Exam structure:
The exam is made up of two (2) parts:
- Part A: 25 x multiple choice questions (MCQ) worth 1 mark each (total of 25 marks available)
- Part B: 5 x short answer questions worth 3 marks each (total of 15 marks available)
Hurdle requirements
It is compulsory to submit all assessments in order to pass the course.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
If you are unable to sit the exam due to medical reasons or exceptional circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for a deferred examination. Please note that SAPDs are not sufficient documentation to defer exams. For an explanation of approved reasons for deferring exams and the process for applying, please see https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/deferring-exam .
Criteria & Marking:
UQ Students: Please access the profile from Learn.UQ or mySI-net to access marking criteria held in this profile.
Qualitative Research Proposal
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 60% Marked out of 100
- Due date
25/10/2024 1:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09
Task description
This description is only a summary of the task. For full details, including the marking rubric, please refer to the course Learn UQ (Blackboard) site.
You are a social work researcher who engages in applied research with industry. You've just found out that your grant application for research funding was successful - congratulations!
Before you can start your qualitative research project, you are required to submit a research proposal to the Human Research Ethics Committee for review and approval (you will just submit to Turnitin - this assignment is not actually being reviewed by the Ethics Committee).
Your research proposal must be completed on the standard template. Your research topic and the research proposal template will be provided to you in week 8 (see assessment 2 folder in blackboard). Your proposal will include a literature review, a description of your research design and example interview questions.
Further details of this assessment are available on the course Blackboard site.
Word limit: 2500 words + search strategy matrix template
Hurdle requirements
It is compulsory to submit all assessments in order to pass the course.Submission guidelines
This assessment requires students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard.
The anti-plagiarism software Turnitin is being used at UQ. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the Turnitin software. Work submitted will be subjected to a plagiarism detection process.
Please refer to ITS help if you experience difficulties in submitting your assessment in Blackboard or using Turnitin.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Applying for an extension
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved.
Information about applying for an extension can be found on my.UQ.
Extension guidelines
- Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline.
- Extension requests must state the due date and the due time of the assessment.
- Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request.
- The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than the specified maximum extension length.
- Students on a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests must still adhere to the extensions request policy outlined. Students need to attach the SAP and a note outlining their current situation with the online extension application. A maximum of 7 days will be granted on the basis of an SAP. An extension request beyond 7 days will require additional supporting information as this request will not be considered on the basis of the SAP, but rather additional events (whether they relate to the circumstances of the SAP or not).
Outcome of application
- Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days. Students can see the outcome of their application by logging in to my.UQ.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0.1 - 29.9 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46.9 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.9 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
In order to be eligible to pass this course, all pieces of assessment need to be attempted and submitted.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Referencing style for assignments:
APA 7ﾠreferencing is to be used for assignments.
Word limit penalty for assignments:
The word limit for assignments includes all headings, in-text citations, tables and figures. The reference list is not included in the word limit.ﾠﾠ
A word count that is within +/-10% of the set word limit is acceptable. A word count that is outside 10% ofﾠthe set word limit will be penalised through a reduction of 10% of the total mark available for the assessment.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
As per UQ policy, the lectures will be recorded. Copies of the lecture powerpoint slides and tutorial resources will also be available via blackboard in your learning resources folder.
Please make sure you check the course announcement page and learning resources folders regularly.
Student Email
Students are provided with a UQ email account and must monitor the account whilst enrolled at UQ. Please see the Information Communication Technology Policy and the Personal use of UQ email section in the Acceptable use of ICT Resources guideline for for information regarding the appropriate use of email.
Students must use their UQ email account for all correspondence with academic staff.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Week 1: Welcome & Introduction to Research In the first part of the lecture we provide an overview of the course and the assessment. In the second half of the session we will begin our exploration of the research process and start discussing the importance of research in social work practice. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 |
Lecture |
Week 2: Introducing the Research Process This lecture explores research questions, paradigms and systems of logic. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05, L07 |
Tutorial |
Week 2: Introducing the Research Process In the tutorial we continue our discussions about the research process. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05, L07 |
|
Week 3 |
Lecture |
Week 3: Quantitative Research - Design & Sampling This session introduces you to quantitative research. Specifically, we will be looking at design and sampling in quantitative research Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L06 |
Tutorial |
Week 3: Quantitative Research -Design and Sampling In this tutorial we will undertake activities that are focused on design and sampling in quantitative research Learning outcomes: L01, L06 |
|
Week 4 |
Lecture |
Week 4: Quantitative Research - Data Collection In this session we continue our exploration of quantitative research. We focus on the use of surveys as a data collection tool for quantitative research. Learning outcomes: L01, L06 |
Tutorial |
Week 4: Quantitative Research - Data Collection In the tutorial we continue our discussions about quantitative data collection methods. Learning outcomes: L01, L06 |
|
Week 5 |
Lecture |
Week 5: Quantitative Data Analysis (Part 1) This session introduces quantitative data analysis. We explore a form of analysis known as descriptive statistics. Learning outcomes: L01, L08 |
Tutorial |
Week 5: Quantitative Data Analysis (Part 1) In this tutorial we will do activities that help to enhance your understanding of descriptive statistics, a form of quantitative data analysis. Learning outcomes: L01, L08 |
|
Week 6 |
Lecture |
Week 6: Quantitative Data Analysis (Part 2) In this session we continue our discussion of quantitative data analysis approaches. We will specifically be looking at inferential statistics. We will also consider some critiques of quantitative research. Learning outcomes: L01, L08, L09 |
Tutorial |
Week 6: Quantitative Data Analysis (Part 2) In this tutorial we will do activities to enhance your understanding of inferential statistics, a form of quantitative data analysis. Learning outcomes: L01, L08, L09 |
|
Week 7 |
Lecture |
Week 7: Research Ethics This session explores the key ethical principles that must be considered during the research process for both quantitative and qualitative research. This topic is relevant to both of your assessment tasks. Learning outcomes: L07 |
Tutorial |
Week 7: Research Ethics In this tutorial we will do activities that help you apply research ethics principles in practice. We will also look at an ethics application form. Learning outcomes: L07 |
|
Week 9 |
Lecture |
Week 9: Literature Reviews This session explores the purpose of reviewing the literature and outlines the key steps and skills required to write a critical literature review. Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
Tutorial |
Week 9: Literature Reviews In this tutorial we continue our discussions on literature reviews. Students will complete a practical activity of conducting a Search Strategy of library data bases to prepare for your research proposal (assessment 2). Learning outcomes: L01, L04 |
|
Week 10 |
Lecture |
Week 10: Qualitative Research - Design & Sampling In this session we begin our exploration of qualitative research. Specifically, we will look at design and sampling for qualitative research. This includes a discussion of trustworthiness and rigour. Learning outcomes: L01, L06, L09 |
Tutorial |
Week 10: Qualitative Research - Design & Sampling In this tutorial we continue our discussion of design and sampling in qualitative research. We will specifically draw connections between this topic and your research proposal (assessment 2) by considering how you can design a rigorous and trustworthy study. Learning outcomes: L01, L06, L09 |
|
Week 11 |
Lecture |
Week 11: Qualitative Data Collection In this session we continue our discussions about qualitative research. We will explore the use of interviews as a method of data collection in qualitative research. Learning outcomes: L01, L06 |
Tutorial |
Week 11: Qualitative Data Collection In this tutorial we continue our discussion of interviews as a qualitative data collection method. We will do an activity that will help you to think about the types of interview questions you could include in your research proposal (assessment 2). Learning outcomes: L01, L06 |
|
Week 12 |
Lecture |
Week 12: Qualitative Data Analysis This is our final session on qualitative research. We will explore qualitative approaches to data analysis and consider some critiques of qualitative research. Learning outcomes: L01, L08, L09 |
Tutorial |
Week 12: Qualitative Data Analysis In this tutorial we continue our discussions about qualitative data analysis. We will do an activity that helps you to think about how you would talk about your data analysis approach in your research proposal (assessment 2). Learning outcomes: L01, L08, L09 |
|
Week 13 |
Lecture |
Week 13: Ending the research process & summary In this session we talk about ending the research process. Our lecture concludes with a summary of the course. Learning outcomes: L01, L07 |
Tutorial |
Week 13: Finalising your research proposal This tutorial is an optional drop-in session for you to discuss any final questions that you have about your research proposal (assessment 2). Learning outcomes: L01, L07 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.