HSW322 - Applied Social Research in Ethical and Political Context

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2: Online^ with significant campus requirements

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Russell Shuttleworth
Cohort rule:

This unit is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work (H330)

Prerequisite:

HSW221 and HSW314 (or appropriate experience in human services organisations as approved by the unit chair)

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Online students only: Online independent and collaborative learning activities will support learning across the trimester.

Please click here to view intensive dates and locations.

NIKERI-CBD students only: Online independent and collaborative learning activities including online practical experiences (workshops).

 

In-person attendance requirements:

Online students only: All online students must attend a compulsory 1 day intensive at the Geelong Waterfront Campus at which core practical learning requirements will be taught.
Click here to view intensive dates and locations.

NIKERI-CBD students only: there are compulsory intensives for all students at the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus. These intensives are arranged by year-level. Please contact the NIKERI Social Work Course Team for more information on 1800 063 383.

Content

The unit aims to develop students' research skills as another social work method or approach, through an understanding of research as applied in evaluation and needs assessment. The unit shows how applied research through evaluation and needs assessment is linked to policies, programs and modes of practice (case work, group work and community work), and can facilitate change through identifying gaps in services and evaluating the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of existing policies, programs and practices. The unit will introduce students to approaches, designs and methods that can be applied through appropriate research to enhance social work practice and to achieve social change.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Articulate how evaluation and needs assessment are linked to social policies, programs and modes of social work practice (case work, group work and community practice).

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO2

Explain how applied social research can facilitate change through identifying gaps in services and evaluating the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of existing policies, programs and practices.

GLO2: Communication
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO3

Critically evaluate needs assessment and program evaluation research.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO4

Critically evaluate the appropriateness of a range of approaches, designs and methods for application to a particular kind of evaluation research (either formative, process or outcome) or needs assessment.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO5

Develop a proposal employing an appropriate research design relevant to addressing a particular social problem and human service delivery.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO6: Self-management

Assessment

Trimester 2:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Outline of research proposal and literature review (evaluation or needs assessment) 1500 words 35%
  • Week 6
Assessment 2: Proposal 2500 words - and appended literature review 55%
  • End-of-unit assessment period
Assessment 3: Online participation   10%
  • Ongoing throughout the trimester

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Hurdle requirement

  • Attendance at a 1 day intensive held during trimester at Waterfront (Geelong) campus.

Click here to view intensive dates and locations.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HSW322 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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