Courses & Units

Social Work Research Practice HGW423

Introduction

Social Work Research Practice examines research methodologies that are utilised by social workers in working towards a more just, humane and inclusive society. Themes of decolonisation, collaboration and sustainability create a focus for designing research processes that are participative and ethical, and informed by diverse knowledges, including First Nations knowledges. You will use existing research-evidence from a range of sources to identify a research project you could implement. Using critical analysis and critical reflection, you will be equipped with knowledge, skills and techniques in research development appropriate and consistent with a social change agenda and the ethical base of social work theory and practice.

Summary

Unit name	Social Work Research Practice
Unit code	HGW423
Credit points	12.5
College/School	College of Arts, Law and Education School of Social Sciences
Discipline	Social Work
Coordinator	Professor Milena Heinsch
Delivered By	University of Tasmania

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1		Off-Campus	International	Domestic Domestic

Key

: On-campus
: Off-Campus
: International students
: Domestic students

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	26/2/2024	22/3/2024	15/4/2024	2/6/2024

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

Design projects and research that respect and take into account the diversity of values and cultural protocols of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Propose ethical, methodologically sound and responsible social work research with diverse populations that tackles locally meaningful and world relevant global challenges.
Plan collaborative and cooperative social work projects and research that can improve people’s lives.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution ^1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution ^1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution ^2,3	Domestic Full Fee ⁴
090501	$2,040.00	$957.00	$1,118.00	$2,324.00

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

HGW302, HGW303, HGW308, HGW312, HGW327

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	Each week, over a 10-week period, you will complete an hour of online learning activities (including lectures, videos, podcasts and other activities). You will also have approximately one hour of reading to complete each week. In total, you will need to allow 8-10 hours per week to complete all of the learning and assessments for this unit, including independent study. Optional webinars will be held throughout the semester.
Assessment	Two Online quizzes (20%)\|Rationale for a research project (30%)\|Research proposal (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable \| View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	You will need the following text: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed.). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin. You can purchase the book from online booksellers such as Booktopia. The UTAS library will have copies (access may be limited in times of high demand). I do recommend you purchase this book - most of the weekly readings are chapters from this book and you will also find the other chapters invaluable for your assessment tasks (and future social work practice). It is relatively inexpensive – some booksellers have it at a reduced price and/or the e-book version. Required weekly readings: WEEK 1: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 1 Social work research. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 3-38). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin. WEEK 2: Bennett. B. (2015). ‘Stop deploying your White privilege on me!’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement with the Australian Association of Social Workers. Australian Social Work, 68(1), 19-31. Walter M., & Suina, M. (2019). Indigenous data, indigenous methodologies and indigenous data sovereignty. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 22(3), 233-243. WEEK 3: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 2 Choosing your topic area. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 39-52). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin. WEEK 4: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 4 Steps in the research process. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 81-109). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin. WEEK 5: Banks, S. (2019). Chapter 4 Ethics and social research. In M. Walter (Ed.) Social research methods (4th ed., pp. 83-118). Melbourne: Oxford University Press. WEEK 6: Flynn, C., & McDermott, F. (2016). Chapter 5 Research design: Shaping your study. In Doing research in social work and social care (pp. 83-100). London: Sage Publications. WEEK 7: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 7 Surveys and interviews. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 160-197). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin. WEEK 8: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 14 Producing results: Qualitative research’. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 343-366). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin. Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 15 Producing results: Quantitative research. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 367-384). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin. WEEK 9: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 18 Influencing policy and practice. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 453-476). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin. WEEK 10: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 12 Research in post- disaster recovery and other crisis situations. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 297-319). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.
Recommended	You will need to access and reference other research books, journal articles and other resources to successfully complete the assessment tasks in this unit. Information about additional resources will be provided on MyLO. As a starting point, the following research texts may be helpful and are available through the UTas library as an e-book (and most in print). Please note that the recommended texts listed below are optional; you are not required to purchase these texts for this unit: • D’Cruz, H., & Jones, M. (2014). Social work research in practice: Ethical and political contexts (2nd ed.). London: Sage. • Flynn, C., & McDermott, F. (2016). Doing research in social work and social care: The journey from student to practitioner researcher. London: Sage. • Joubert, L. B., & Webber, M. (Eds.). (2020). The Routledge handbook of social work practice research. London: Routledge. • Strega, S., & Brown, L. (Eds.) (2015). Research as resistance: Revisiting critical, Indigenous and anti-oppressive approaches (2nd ed.). Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc. • Walter, M. (Ed.) (2019). Social research methods (4th ed.). South
Links	Booktopia textbook finder

Required

You will need the following text:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed.). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

You can purchase the book from online booksellers such as Booktopia. The UTAS library will have copies (access may be limited in times of high demand). I do recommend you purchase this book - most of the weekly readings are chapters from this book and you will also find the other chapters invaluable for your assessment tasks (and future social work practice). It is relatively inexpensive – some booksellers have it at a reduced price and/or the e-book version.

Required weekly readings:

WEEK 1:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 1 Social work research. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 3-38). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 2:
Bennett. B. (2015). ‘Stop deploying your White privilege on me!’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement with the Australian Association of Social Workers. Australian Social Work, 68(1), 19-31.
Walter M., & Suina, M. (2019). Indigenous data, indigenous methodologies and indigenous data sovereignty. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 22(3), 233-243.

WEEK 3:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 2 Choosing your topic area. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 39-52). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 4:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 4 Steps in the research process. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 81-109). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 5:
Banks, S. (2019). Chapter 4 Ethics and social research. In M. Walter (Ed.) Social research methods (4th ed., pp. 83-118). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

WEEK 6:
Flynn, C., & McDermott, F. (2016). Chapter 5 Research design: Shaping your study. In Doing research in social work and social care (pp. 83-100). London: Sage Publications.

WEEK 7:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 7 Surveys and interviews. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 160-197). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 8:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 14 Producing results: Qualitative research’. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 343-366). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 15 Producing results: Quantitative research. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 367-384). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 9:
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 18 Influencing policy and practice. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 453-476). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

WEEK 10: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 12 Research in post- disaster recovery and other crisis situations. In Research for social workers: An introduction to methods (4th ed., pp. 297-319). Crows Nest NSW: Allen and Unwin.

Recommended

You will need to access and reference other research books, journal articles and other resources to successfully complete the assessment tasks in this unit. Information about additional resources will be provided on MyLO. As a starting point, the following research texts may be helpful and are available through the UTas library as an e-book (and most in print). Please note that the recommended texts listed below are optional; you are not required to purchase these texts for this unit:

• D’Cruz, H., & Jones, M. (2014). Social work research in practice: Ethical and political contexts (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
• Flynn, C., & McDermott, F. (2016). Doing research in social work and social care: The journey from student to practitioner researcher. London: Sage.
• Joubert, L. B., & Webber, M. (Eds.). (2020). The Routledge handbook of social work practice research. London: Routledge.
• Strega, S., & Brown, L. (Eds.) (2015). Research as resistance: Revisiting critical, Indigenous and anti-oppressive approaches (2nd ed.). Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc.
• Walter, M. (Ed.) (2019). Social research methods (4th ed.). South

Links

Booktopia textbook finder

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