Courses & Units

Social Work Research Practice HGW608

Online

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	HGW608
Credit points	12.5
College/School	College of Arts, Law and Education School of Social Sciences
Discipline	Social Work
Coordinator	Doctor Campbell Tickner
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Postgraduate

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	24/2/2025	25/3/2025	14/4/2025	1/6/2025

* 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 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

Develop collaborative projects and research that align with the values and cultural protocols of diverse populations, paying particular attention to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s ways of knowing, being and doing.
Plan ethically responsible and methodologically sound social work research that tackles locally meaningful and world relevant global challenges by referring to scholarly literature, codes of conduct for research and cultural protocols.

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	$2,124.00	$996.00	$1,164.00	$2,440.00

Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

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

HGW503, HGW512, HGW513, HGW516, and HGW527

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	Collaborative Project Design (15%)\|Rationale for a research project (35%)\|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 Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed.). Taylor & Francis Group. You can purchase a physical copy of the book from online booksellers such as Booktopia. The UTAS library will also have physical copies (access may be limited in times of high demand) as well as access to the eBook version. Required weekly readings: Week 1: Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 1 Social work research. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 3-38). Taylor & Francis Group. Tilbury, C., Hughes, M., Bigby, C., & Hitchcock, C. (2023). Advancing social work research in Australia: Experience researcher perspectives. Australian Social Work, 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1080.0312407X.2023.2251434 Gibbs, A., & Stirling, B. (2013). ‘It’s about people and their environment’: Student social workers’ definitions of social work research. Social Work Education, 32(3), 317-330. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2012.658365 Week 2:
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 and articles may be helpful and are available through the UTAS library. Please note that the recommended texts listed below are optional; you are not required to purchase these texts for this unit. Overall unit recommended readings: D’Cruz, H., & Jones, M. (2014). Social Work Research in Practice: Ethical and Political Contexts (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications. Flynn, C., & McDermott, F. (2016). Doing Research in Social Work and Social Care: The Journey from Student to Practitioner Researcher. SAGE Publications. Strega, S., & Brown, L. (2015). Research as Resistance: Revisiting Critical, Indigenous, and Anti-Oppressive Approaches (2nd ed.). Canadian Scholars. Walter, M. (2019). Social Research Methods (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. Gray, M., Plath, D., & Webb, S. (2009). Evidence-Based Social Work: A Critical Stance. Taylor & Francis Group. Please note, some additional readings have been provided to support your learning as they relate to weekly specific content and can be found in the library reading lists.

Required

You will need the following text:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed.). Taylor & Francis Group.

You can purchase a physical copy of the book from online booksellers such as Booktopia. The UTAS library will also have physical copies (access may be limited in times of high demand) as well as access to the eBook version.

Required weekly readings:

Week 1:

Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Chapter 1 Social work research. In Research for Social Works: An Introduction to Methods (4th ed., pp. 3-38). Taylor & Francis Group.

Tilbury, C., Hughes, M., Bigby, C., & Hitchcock, C. (2023). Advancing social work research in Australia: Experience researcher perspectives. Australian Social Work, 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1080.0312407X.2023.2251434

Gibbs, A., & Stirling, B. (2013). ‘It’s about people and their environment’: Student social workers’ definitions of social work research. Social Work Education, 32(3), 317-330. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2012.658365

Week 2:

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 and articles may be helpful and are available through the UTAS library. Please note that the recommended texts listed below are optional; you are not required to purchase these texts for this unit.

Overall unit recommended readings:

D’Cruz, H., & Jones, M. (2014). Social Work Research in Practice: Ethical and Political Contexts (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Flynn, C., & McDermott, F. (2016). Doing Research in Social Work and Social Care: The Journey from Student to Practitioner Researcher. SAGE Publications.

Strega, S., & Brown, L. (2015). Research as Resistance: Revisiting Critical, Indigenous, and Anti-Oppressive Approaches (2nd ed.). Canadian Scholars.

Walter, M. (2019). Social Research Methods (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Gray, M., Plath, D., & Webb, S. (2009). Evidence-Based Social Work: A Critical Stance. Taylor & Francis Group.

Please note, some additional readings have been provided to support your learning as they relate to weekly specific content and can be found in the library reading lists.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.