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HE Unit Template
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Social Work Research
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MSWPG7211 - Social Work Research
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20250100
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Course
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Unit
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2.3
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Social Work, Community & Human Services
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Institute of Education, Arts & Community
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Social Work, Community & Human Services
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Postgraduate - Coursework
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15
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.125
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090501
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Social Work
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090501 - Social Work
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/mswpg7211">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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9
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Masters Degree
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0
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<p>This unit requires students to develop research as a resource for social work practice. It introduces students to research paradigms, methodologies, methods and strategies that are necessary to undertake research and evaluation in a practice or an academic context. Students will learn to examine the nature of evidence by evaluating existing research and/or evidence and unpack the ways in which it has been produced and for what purpose and how it informs their practice. Furthermore, students will learn techniques, such as designing a research project, recognising ethical dilemmas in undertaking research, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings.</p>
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<p>This unit requires students to develop research as a resource for social work practice. It introduces students to research paradigms, methodologies, methods and strategies that are necessary to undertake research and evaluation in a practice or an academic context. Students will learn to examine the nature of evidence by evaluating existing research and/or evidence and unpack the ways in which it has been produced and for what purpose and how it informs their practice. Furthermore, students will learn techniques, such as designing a research project, recognising ethical dilemmas in undertaking research, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings. <br>
Topics may include: What is Research? What is Research: Varied contexts and purposes of research in social work. Different ways of knowing/Philosophy of Research What is evidence and how is it framed in social work practice and research? Ethical codes and principles that underpin research including, National Human Medical Research Council guidelines and the Australian Association of Social Work Code of Ethics (2020). What are literature Reviews? Social Work Research Methodologies Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies Emancipatory Research Evidence based Practice (EBP) Service Users and Research Practice Research Anti Oppressive Research Practices Evidenced Based practice Developing a Research Proposal Components of the Research Design Process: research question, research methodology, Concepts/Variables, Developing a standpoint, ethical consideration etc. Developing a Research Proposal</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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Year
2027
Current Year
2026
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MSWPG7211 - Social Work Research
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MSWPG7211 - Social Work Research
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Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>This unit requires students to develop research as a resource for social work practice. It introduces students to research paradigms, methodologies, methods and strategies that are necessary to undertake research and evaluation in a practice or an academic context. Students will learn to examine the nature of evidence by evaluating existing research and/or evidence and unpack the ways in which it has been produced and for what purpose and how it informs their practice. Furthermore, students will learn techniques, such as designing a research project, recognising ethical dilemmas in undertaking research, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings.</p>
Unit content
<p>This unit requires students to develop research as a resource for social work practice. It introduces students to research paradigms, methodologies, methods and strategies that are necessary to undertake research and evaluation in a practice or an academic context. Students will learn to examine the nature of evidence by evaluating existing research and/or evidence and unpack the ways in which it has been produced and for what purpose and how it informs their practice. Furthermore, students will learn techniques, such as designing a research project, recognising ethical dilemmas in undertaking research, data collection and analysis, and dissemination of research findings. <br> Topics may include: What is Research? What is Research: Varied contexts and purposes of research in social work. Different ways of knowing/Philosophy of Research What is evidence and how is it framed in social work practice and research? Ethical codes and principles that underpin research including, National Human Medical Research Council guidelines and the Australian Association of Social Work Code of Ethics (2020). What are literature Reviews? Social Work Research Methodologies Qualitative and Quantitative methodologies Emancipatory Research Evidence based Practice (EBP) Service Users and Research Practice Research Anti Oppressive Research Practices Evidenced Based practice Developing a Research Proposal Components of the Research Design Process: research question, research methodology, Concepts/Variables, Developing a standpoint, ethical consideration etc. Developing a Research Proposal</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090501 - Social Work
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/mswpg7211">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
None
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Appraise the major research traditions relevant to Social Work</p>
K2
<p>Understand the interrelationships between epistemology, ontology, theoretical perspectives, methodology and methods;</p>
K3
<p>Critically appraise research methodologies and their application in social work research;</p>
K4
<p>Determine and differentiate between ethical issues pertinent to research in Social Work contexts and;</p>
K5
<p>Design research proposal by applying knowledge of the research processes, including, methodologies/methods and ethical considerations.</p>
S1
<p>Independent research, time management and planning skills;</p>
S2
<p>Skills in evaluating various techniques for gathering and analysing data, including qualitative and quantitative approaches;</p>
S3
<p>Identify potential ethical issues relating to participant engagement, data collection, data analysis and dissemination of findings;</p>
S4
<p>Investigate, evaluate, analyse and synthesise concepts and issues pertaining to research for Social Work contexts;</p>
S5
<p>Written and verbal communication skills for the appropriate dissemination of research to a range of audiences and;</p>
S6
<p>Competence in accessing and utilising databases and evidence to research practice issues.</p>
A1
<p>Determine the most appropriate research methods for inquiry in a given Social Work context;</p>
A2
<p>Critically evaluate the usefulness and validity of research data for Social Work practice</p>
A3
<p>Develop skills in conducting a literature search, and writing up a literature review investigating a given topic in Social Work research</p>
A4
<p>Develop competence and creativity in developing the design and articulating a proposal for a Social Work research project</p>
A5
<p>Develop competence in completing an appropriate ethics application for research involving humans</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Critical learning exercises will explore key concepts and ethical considerations of research covered in the unit using a range of written and/or oral activities. Hurdle Assessment: Complete the Research Integrity Module. Upon completion print the certificate of completion.</p>
<p>Learning Portfolio</p>
<p>15%-25%</p>
K1, K2, K4, S3, S4, S5, A2, A5
2
<p>Students can choose any social work topic and critically evaluate the evidence informing practice, identify a gap in the literature, and develop a clear statement of the problem that needs further investigation.</p>
<p>Literature Review</p>
<p>25%-35%</p>
K3, S1, S4, S6, A2, A3
3
<p>Students are required to design a research proposal that includes aims/objectives. research questions, concepts/variables, methodologies, methods and ethical considerations.</p>
<p>Research Proposal</p>
<p>45%-55%</p>
K3, K4, K5, S1, S2, S3, S5, A1, A4, A5
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Education, Arts & Community
Discipline:
Social Work, Community & Human Services
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
090501 - Social Work
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/mswpg7211">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: MSWPG7211 - U2.3