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This course reviews the fundamentals of social research, including: ethical considerations; sampling and measurement; data analysis and, dissemination and distribution of research knowledge related to the human services. The execution of a group research project is required as the major course assessment.
The development of research skills by students is an important component of a social work degree. This course aims to build on the skills gained in earlier methods courses and provide an opportunity for students to begin to consolidate a research culture within their current or future employment. By providing the platform to complete manageable research assignments, this course allows students to become increasingly familiar with the business of research and how it fits within a theory/practice/research framework.
Demonstrated understanding of the research processDemonstrated engagement with research participantsDemonstrated understanding of key ethical principles for social researchAbility to articulate the relationship between practice, theory and researchIncreased confidence to undertake practice research.Course GoalsTo consolidate a practice research culture by promoting an integrated understanding of the links between social work theory, practice and research.To facilitate a beginning level of student competence as research producers.To promote an action-based process of learning whereby students can directly experience a range of research activities.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Biculturally competent and confident
Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.
Engaged with the community
Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
Any 120 points at 300 level from the Schedule C of the BSW(Hons).
SOWK526; SOWK670
Jane Maidment
Bryman, Alan; Social research methods ; 4th ed; Oxford University Press, 2012.
Fouchae, Christa; Practice research partnerships in social work : making a difference ; Policy Press, 2015.
Gaudet, Stephanie , Robert, Dominique; A journey through qualitative research : from design to reporting ; Sage, 2018.
Guest, Greg , MacQueen, Kathleen M., Namey, Emily E; Applied thematic analysis ; Sage Publications, 2012.
Liamputtong, Pranee; Qualitative research methods ; 4th ed; Oxford University Press, 2013.
Rubin, Allen , Babbie, Earl R; Essential research methods for social work ; Fourth edition; Cengage Learning, 2016.
Shaw, Ian , Holland, Sally; Doing qualitative research in social work ; SAGE Publications, 2014.
A selection of journals is available in the UC library and you should make use of these when undertaking your literature review, considering your methodology and writing your report.Note: Throughout the course recommended readings and resources will be uploaded to the course LEARN site.
American Psychological Association (APA) referencing guidelines. These can be found on the UC library website. APA referencing guidelines and University of Canterbury Human Ethics Committee website, to access the Human Ethics application. Human ethics
Domestic fee $785.00
International fee $3,500.00
* 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 .