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Unit outline_

SCWK2006: Research Skills for Social Change

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Social workers are increasingly required to understand and communicate the research base of their practice, and to become practitioner-researchers in their own right. This unit aims to help students develop an understanding of the ways social workers use research in different practice contexts: assessing community needs, formulating policies, developing new services, evaluating programs, enhancing social work practice, and developing theory. Students are introduced to quantitative and qualitative approaches and methods in social work research, in the context of specific practice fields including mental health, domestic violence, community development, and policy advocacy.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Social Work
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
48 credit points including (SCLG1001 and SCLG1002) or (12cp of SCLG1U01) or 12cp of 1000 level units in Diversity Studies
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Margot Rawsthorne, margot.rawsthorne@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Amanda Howard, amanda.howard@sydney.edu.au
Margot Rawsthorne, margot.rawsthorne@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Online quiz
See canvas site for more details
20% Multiple weeks Equivalent of 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Focus topic Presentation
Presentation on allocated focus topic
25% Multiple weeks 1000 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Assignment Research Plan
See Canvas for more details
25% Week 04
Due date: 17 Mar 2024 at 23:00
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Reflection
Essay
30% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2024 at 23:59
1500wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1

Assessment summary

 

  • Research Plan: Students are required to develop a Research Plan on a topic of their choice using the template provided.
  • Quiz: All questions have been designed to assess understanding of the topics covered in the lectures and readings. The best preparation is to attend all lectures, take notes in lectures,complete required readings, attend all tutorials, take notes in tutorials, review notes closely.
  • Presentation: Students will present on allocated research focus area.
  • Reflection: Students will write a reflective essay on what they have learnt about research over the semester and how it is relevant to their future careers as social workers.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Coherent argument drawing on diverse and extensive range of research methodology literature; excellent engagement with social work literature; demonstrated capacity to apply learning from the unit; APA referencing

Distinction

75 - 84

Argument drawing on diverse range of research methodology literature; some engagement with social work literature; attempt to apply learning from the unit; APA referencing

Credit

65 - 74

Attempt to mount an argument drawing on some research methodology and social work literature; APA referencing

Pass

50 - 64

Overview of ideas covered in this unit; limited use of research methodology and social work literature; APA referencing

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Pre-semester Research as social justice practice and for social change. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Questions: what can we ask and how can we try to answer them through research Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Different ways of answering questions (methodology) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Developing a research plan Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3
The practice of research Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
The practice of research (participation) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
The practice of research (ethics) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
The practice of research (Indigenous knowledges) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
The practice of research (evaluation) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Making sense of data Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3
Making sense of data Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3
Research for social change: maximising research impact Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library Reading List link available on Canvas. See canvas for detailed information on readings.

The required textbook is available as an e-book through the University library.

  • Required textbook: D'Cruz, H. and Jones, M. (2014) Social Work Research in Practice. 2nd edition. London: Sage. 

 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an understanding of the roles of research in social work practice and policy in a variety of contexts
  • LO2. articulate an understanding of, and rationale for, different approaches to social research design, including quantitative and qualitative approaches
  • LO3. demonstrate a basic grasp of research design, including matching research questions with appropriate methodologies
  • LO4. show awareness of ethical, organisational, and political issues in social research.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes have been made to ensure this unit builds on Year 1 social work units

Consultations can be arranged by email with the Unit of Study coordinator or your tutor.

margot.rawsthorne@sydney.edu.au (Unit of Study coordinator)

meaghan.katrak@sydney.edu.au (tutor)

 

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.