Use the Tab and Up, Down arrow keys to select menu items.
The course provides an introduction to quantitative research activities in a variety of contexts and provides students with a comparative framework for understanding and evaluating quantitative research methods and outcomes. The course is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to undertake research projects in social service agencies, and in global contexts. In particular, students will explore survey research, experimental designs, single case designs, and evaluation research approaches as quantitative research methods.
The development of a research culture in social work is an important challenge for educators, managers, practitioners and students of social work. The creative tension between research, theory and practice is a necessary aspect of social work training, and contributes significantly to the development of a social work research culture. Standards of social work research and practice grow and develop in conjunction with field development. Research informs practice, practice hopefully informs teaching as the various functions within the social work enterprise become part of a cyclical response to competent practice. This course aims to provide a basis from which students can begin to develop a research culture within their practice. By introducing a range of quantitative research methods and enabling students to experience manageable research assignments, students will become increasingly familiar with the business of research and how it fits within a theory/practice/research framework. Within the course, there is a particular focus on survey design, administration, and the development of survey research frameworks. Course Aims1. To establish a practice research culture by promoting an integrated understanding of the links between social work theory, practice and research.2. To facilitate a beginning level of competence in students as research producers in a range of research methods.3. To provide an overview of quantitative research methodologies.4. To promote an action-based process of learning whereby students can directly experience a range of research activities that build toward completion of a research proposal.
At the end of the course students should be able to: Confidently identify a range of quantitative research methods Possess basic research skills Understand theoretical frameworks driving the research enterpriseDevelop a research proposal on an identified topicDesign a questionnaire for use in social science researchIdentify skills they have developed as emerging social science researchers
Any 30 points of Human Services at 200 level including HSRV204. Students without this prerequisite but with at least 60 points at 200 level or above in appropriate courses may enter the course with the permission of the Programme Coordinator.
SOWK305; SOWK310
Nikki Evans
Bryman, A; Social research methods ; 3rd; New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.
De Vaus, D.A; Surveys in Social Research ; 5th; Crows Nest, NSW. Australia. Allen & Unwin, 2002.
Learn Assignment Sheet Cover Cover Sheet for Late Submission or Waiver of Penalty Academic Integrity Guidance for Staff and Students Referencing for Social Work & Humans Services Using EndNote for referencing Writing guides for Social Work & Human Services Library Guides
Domestic fee $732.00
International fee $2,975.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .