Reference no: EM132335632 , Length: word count:3000

Social Work Research Assignment -

Learning Outcomes -

Knowledge:

• Appraise the major research traditions relevant to Social Work.
• Determine key conceptual frameworks in Social Work research.
• Critically evaluate the interrelationships between epistemology, ontology, theoretical perspectives, methodology and methods.
• Determine and differentiate between ethical issues pertinent to research in Social Work contexts.

Skills:

• Independent research, time management and planning skills.
• Skills in evaluating various techniques for gathering and analysing data, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Capacity to identify potential ethical issues relating to participant engagement, data collection, data analysis and dissemination of findings.
• Capacity to investigate, evaluate, analyse and synthesise concepts and issues pertaining to research for Social Work contexts.
• Written and verbal communication skills for the appropriate dissemination of research to a range of audiences.
• Competence in accessing and utilising A databases and evidence to research practice issues.

Application of knowledge and skills:

• Capability and creativity in evaluating and determining the most appropriate research methods for inquiry in a given Social Work context.
• Capability in critically evaluating the usefulness and validity of research data for Social Work practice.
• Capability in conducting a literature search, and writing up a literature review investigating a given topic in Social Work research.
• Competence and creativity in developing the design and articulating a proposal for a Social Work research project.
• Competence in completing an appropriate ethics application for research involving humans.

Values and Graduate Attributes:

Values:

• Examine the influence of the Social Work Code of Ethics and Practice Standards, and the value base of the social work profession, on social policy development and analysis.
• Explore individual beliefs and attitudes and consider the impact these have in shaping policy debates and potential social work practice in Australia and within the global context.
• Apply principles of self-directed learning in a co-operative education environment which demonstrates respect for themselves and others.

Assessment Task - Research Project Proposal

Students will develop a Research Project Proposal. Please note that although different components are identified separately on the Learning and Assessment task matrix, students are to develop one cohesive document with appendices.

Appendices include questionnaires and interview schedule/questions and other relevant material. The format for the proposal is based on the Elements of the Proposal presented in the reading by author Zina OLeary (please note it has been slightly adapted for the purposes of this assessment task). This reading will be available in class in week 1.

Title (20 words)

Summary/Abstract (150 words)

Aims/objectives (100 words)

Research question (30 words max)

Introduction/background/rationale (200 words)

Literature review (1,000 word marked as literature review component)

Methods (300 words) + interview/questionnaire/survey questions (attached as Appendix) (not counted in word length as length may vary)

Limitations (100 words)

Timeline (100 words can be a visual)

Ethical issues (1,000 words Ethical considerations reflecting pertinent issues identified by the FedUni HREC and in the National Statement on the Ethical Conduct of Research marked as ethics component)

Budget/funding (100 words can be a visual)

Reference List - not counted in word limit

The assessment task will be assessed on the following criteria, weighted as outlined:

Literature Review Component -

Capacity to develop and present a formal literature review which engages with relevant and current academic research in a way that informs readers of key issues in existing research and establishes your credibility as a researcher who will be able to address gaps in knowledge, with weighting as follow:

• Capacity to identify a minimum of 12 current, credible, diverse sources from peer-reviewed research literature
• Capacity to present a coherent and objective overview of the research literature
• Capacity to present literature in a way which outlines gaps in existing research literature and convinces the reader of the relevance of, and need for, your proposed study
• Strict adherence to APA referencing (please note: This refers to the entire reference list for the overall assessment task, not just references presented in the literature review)

Research Proposal Component -

Capacity to develop and present a coherent research proposal which relates logically to the information presented in the literature review, and reflects your emerging skills as a social work researcher who has a solid understanding of the research process. Weighting as follows:

Abstract, objectives and research question

• Capacity to develop a concise and focused summary/abstract.
• Capacity to develop and articulate aims/objectives which are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant/results-focused/realistic, and timebound).
• Capacity to develop a research question which defines your investigation, sets boundaries, provides direction, and acts as a frame of reference for assessing your work.

Rationale and research methods

• Capacity to develop an introduction/background/rationale which gives context to the problem being researched and convinces readers of the significance/worth of your research.
• Capacity to outline research methods (approach/methodology; sampling/recruitment; data collection method(s); methods of analysis; and an interview schedule/questionnaire/survey.

Limitations, timeline, budget

• Capacity to identify limitations inherent in your research design.
• Capacity to develop a realistically achievable timeline and budget.

Overall presentation of work

• Capacity to develop and present a coherent, professionally presented, well-written piece of work.

Ethics Component -

Capacity to identify potential ethical issues relating to aspects of the research process such as participant engagement, data collection, data analysis and dissemination of findings, and show an understanding of issues outlined by the Fed Uni Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct of Research (NSECR).

• Identify and describe three potential ethical issues that may emerge within the research process.
• Discuss how these ethical issues relate to issues outlined by the Fed Uni HREC and in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct of Research, and how they will be addressed in ethical ways which reflect the standards outlined by the HREC and in the NSECR.

The assessment task should be presented in ONE DOCUMENT. The questionnaire/interview schedule should be attached as an appendix (NOT as a separate attachment. Students who submit separate attachments will be required to re-submit as one document).

Word length: 3,000 words (Lit review of 1,000 words; Research Proposal of 1,000 words, Ethical components of 1,000 words).

Attachment:- Social Work Research Assignment File.rar