Postgraduate - UnitSWM5190 - Social work research

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Offered	Caulfield First semester 2012 (Off-campus)
Coordinator(s)	Associate Professor Chris Trotter

Synopsis

Topics include the purpose of research and its place in social work; research ethics including intellectual property issues; research designs including qualitative, quantitative, exploratory and experimental methods; developing research questions and hypotheses; sampling and data analysis including statistical analysis and writing research reports.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, candidates should have developed an understanding of:

1. ethical issues relating to research with humans;
2. issues relating to the place and role of different types of research in Social Work;
3. the principles underlying qualitative and quantitative research;
4. research design, research questions and data collection methods;
5. a range of statistical techniques and when it is appropriate to use them.

Students are also required to demonstrate their ability to develop a research proposal.

Assessment

One or two assignments totalling 9000 words including a research proposal: 100%

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Chris Trotter