What will I learn on this module?
This module aims to build on your learning from the Year 1 “Academic Skills and Critical Reflection” module (SW0422). It aims to support you to move from being able to locate and make an initial critical appraisal of knowledge towards a deeper understanding of knowledge construction by way of understanding the social work research process, and alongside this, further developing your ability to appraise the quality of different forms of evidence. The curriculum will therefore focus on research methodologies and different elements of the research process. This is with a view to supporting your ability to inform your future practice with high quality and up-to-date evidence, and engage in effective life long learning. The assignments will invite you to explore and critically appraise research based knowledge in an area of your interest relevant to social work practice.
How will I learn on this module?
You will learn through lectures, seminar tutors or student-led seminars, peer group and collaborative learning, independent and self-directed study and library based work.
We will identify a range of tasks for you to complete week to week. Sometimes these are learning activities to bring with you for the next seminar, sometimes learning to undertake for the next session. These are focussed tasks aimed to help you to work towards the summative task for this module.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported in a variety of ways during the lectures and seminars. These will include feedback from tutors and peer groups during the lectures and seminars. In addition, the module leader and seminar tutors will respond to questions, preferably via the module’s discussion board at the University’s eLearning Portal so that the whole group can benefit.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• Demonstrate an understanding of key issues in research and knowledge generation, including the ethical obligations of the researcher
• Describe and explore the current state of knowledge about a relevant topic
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Prepare to make decisions through the identification and gathering of information from more than one source and, with support, question the reliability and validity of this information
• Consider how evidence may be used to inform judgement and decisions in practice situations
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Recognise the importance of applying imagination, creativity and curiosity to practice
How will I be assessed?
Summative assessment
1500-word research proposal (research project). The proposal could be for a quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods project. The topic of your project should be suitable both in scale and relevance to a newly qualified social work practitioner and researcher. A suggested structure for the proposal will be outlined.
Formative assessment
Your formative assessment is a verbal presentation of your research proposal to the rest of your seminar group and tutor. You will receive verbal feedback from your peers and your tutor which will help your preparations for your summative assessment.
Pre-requisite(s)
SW0417, SW0418, SW0419, SW0420, SW0421, SW0422
Co-requisite(s)
SW0514, SW0515, SW0516, SW0517
Module abstract
This module builds on learning from the Year 1 ‘Academic Skills and Critical Reflection’ module, towards a deeper understanding of knowledge construction by way of understanding the research process, and alongside this, further developing your ability to appraise the quality of different forms of evidence. The curriculum will therefore focus on research methodologies and different elements of the social work research process. The module tutors and research expert guest lecturers will share with you their experiences of doing research and will help you gain the skills and motivation for you to start to “think as a researcher”. The assignments will invite you to design a research project on a topic of your interest suitable both in scale and relevance to a newly qualified social work practitioner and researcher, with the potential of being realised in your future employment or academic pathways.
Course info
UCAS Code L502
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years full-time
Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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