HS633-7-AU-CO:
Using Research and Evidence in Social Work Practice
2023/24
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
21 July 2023
Requisites for this module
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This module explores the research processes used in the collection of an evidence base for social work practice and supports the student to interrogate material and develop their understanding of existing research.
Based on the premise that research and scientific inquiry provide the ground for knowledge production and sustain social work practice, the course introduces students to social science research concepts, tools, and methods and demonstrates their application in social work research, practice, and evaluation. It also builds an understanding and critical appreciation of evidence-based and evidence-informed practice. Students will develop necessary research skills that will allow them to confidently engage with diverse research methodologies and critical issues that can be used to advance practice knowledge, evaluate individual practice, evaluate social programs, as well as to contribute to social work research.
Key areas of learning in this module include: philosophy and principles of scientific inquiry, research design and strategy, quantitative and qualitative approaches, evidenced-based and evidence-informed practice, research ethics, and the dissemination of research findings.
The aims of this module are:
• To enable students to develop a critical and questioning approach to research in social sciences and social work.
• To provide students with an understanding of various research approaches, designs and methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative, and their application in social work research.
• To enable students to demonstrate competence in applying and doing research in a safe and ethical manner
• To enable students to develop a capacity to assess the scope and limitations of research evidence to define and refine practice-based questions
• To provide students with an understanding of the significance of research and evaluation in development of social work practice, and relevant policy.
• To enable students to demonstrate the capacity to reflect on and evaluate their own practice based on social work values.
• To provide students with an insight into the role of effective research in developing professional practice.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
1. Use research literature and evaluate validity and reliability of methods and analytical procedures;
2. Explore research procedures using qualitative and quantitative research design to develop an advanced understanding of various data collection and analysis techniques, and a range of knowledge dissemination strategies;
3. Critically evaluate the scope and limitations of research evidence to define and refine practice-based questions and its capacity to support practical conclusions;
4. Identify a specific research topic and evaluate the research and evidence base in relation to this selected topic; apply theory and critically based reasoning in the formulation of research questions for future research in the proposed area.
Summary of Module Content and Lectures
Key concepts in Social Science and Social work research (WK1)
* Ontology and Epistemology
* Modes of Scientific Reasoning (inductive, dedactive, retroductive)
* Research and Social Work
* Evidence Based and Evidence Informed Practice (guiding concepts, critical debates, integrating research and practice)
Ethical and Social Justice Considerations in Research with Human Subjects (WK2)
* Ethics and Social Work Research
* Codes of conduct and confidentiality
* Research with vulnerable groups
* Evaluating ethical issues, risks and benefits
* Ethics committees and Research Governance Framework
Knowledge and Understanding of the Research Process (WK3)
* Research problem
* Hypothesis
* Literature Review
* Qualitative Research Design
* Quantitative Research Design
* Mixed Methods Research Design
* Examination of applications and differences between different forms of research design
* Critique and Evaluation of Research
Data Collection Strategies and Analysis (WKs 4 & 5)
* Measurement and Data collection Considerations: validity and reliability/trustworthiness and credibility
* Questionnaire and Interview Guide design
* Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis
Ethnographic interviewing
Surveys
Focus Groups
Participatory Observation
Archival Research
Thematic Analysis
Content Analysis
* Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis
Cohort studies, surveys and interviews
standardised Measurement
Statistical Methods of Analysis
Descriptive/Inferential Statistics
* Using Secondary Data
Developing a Research Proposal (WKs 6 & 7)
* The research question, aims and objectives
* Use of literature
* Choosing a methodology
* Sampling
* Data collection
* Data analysis
* Evaluation of research strategies
Summary of Module Assignments
This module culminates in a formal Research Proposal (3000 words), in which each student will propose a research project to be carried out in HS657 and HS659 dissertation modules. To support students in this process, students will be provided with a workbook which scaffolds the final assignment, demonstrating the process for reviewing and using research evidence in social work practice and research.
Workbook Tasks Tasks Description
1. Interest paper
Ask an evidence-informed question and provide a rationale for selecting this question. Students should summarise existing knowledge on a particular aspect of a topic of their choice relevant to social work practice/research.
2. Acquiring research evidence (towards an annotated bibliography)
Students should summarise the search strategy (including inclusion/exclusion criteria, and question refinement)
3. Annotated Bibliography
Students should select at least 5 peer-reviewed journal articles (at least 3 of these sources should be empirical studies where data- quantitative or qualitative - was collected and they should be no older than 2007) that are related to their research interest(s) and complete an annotated bibliography (study design, research question and purpose of study, participants / study sample, main findings, strengths and limitations, how the research is related to their topic, etc.)
4. Design, Methods and Analysis
Students should describe the design of their study and the methods that they will use
5. Ethics Section
Students should describe at least 3 ethical considerations that they have in conducting their study. Then explain how they plan to address these ethical concerns as a researcher
6. Researcher Positionality and Reflective Memo
Students should provide a reflection on the following: What prior connections (social, personal, intellectual) do they have to their research topic, research population, or the setting of their study? What prior experiences have they had that are relevant to their topic or setting? How do they think and feel about these topics, people or settings? What assumptions are they making about them? What do they want to accomplish or learn by doing this study?
7. Final Research Proposal
Students should make use and refine previous tasks in putting together their research proposal (including: background; literature review; research question, aim and objectives; proposed methods of data collection and analysis; ethical considerations; concluding discussion on positionality, and strengths and limitations of the proposed study (focus on validity/reliability)
Overview – the module will combine a number of different teaching approaches, incorporating lectures, group work, computer skills based sessions and student led session to introduce key concepts in social work practice while relating it to everyday practice.
Lectures will be delivered by the module lead and colleagues this could also include contributions from the service users reference group on collaborative and co-productive research.
Seminars and small group discussion sessions will support students searching and appraising the literature and related activities.
Online resources will be made available on Moodle.
Tutorials: It is the student’s responsibility to seek tutorial support as needed.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Extended Research Proposal |
|
100% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Konstantinos Roussos, email: k.roussos@essex.ac.uk.
pgsocwork@essex.ac.uk
No
No
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 27 hours, 21 (77.8%) hours available to students:
6 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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