Accessibility statement

Research Dissertation - SPY00074M

« Back to module search

  • Department: Social Policy and Social Work
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Martin Webber
  • Credit value: 60 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
  • Notes: This is an independent study module

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Vacation 2020-21 to Autumn Term 2021-22
B Spring Term 2021-22

Module aims

The aims of this independent study module are to enable students to understand how to undertake research which informs social work practice; to be able to write a research-based dissertation; to be able to apply research findings to social work practice.
Relationship to the domains of the PCF
This module aims to contribute to the ability of students to demonstrate that they have reached the qualifying level descriptors in all 9 of the domains of the PCF

Module learning outcomes

Subject content
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
  • Develop a research question of relevance to social work practice
  • Undertake a full, or systematic, literature review, including an appraisal of the quality of research evidence
  • Design a research project or systematic review which is ethical, feasible, robust and of relevance to social work practice
  • An understanding of how a commitment to evidence, understanding and justice informs how social work research is undertaken and understood
  • Their ability to integrate academic and practice based knowledge and understanding over the course of a lengthy and sustained piece of work
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of appropriate research methodologies to answer different research questions of relevance to social work practice
  • Undertake a research project or systematic review of relevance to social work practice
  • Analyse quantitative, qualitative or secondary data (including the findings of other studies)
  • Report their research findings and critically evaluate their implications for social work practice
Academic and graduate skills
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
  • demonstrate the ability to undertake independent research of relevance to social work practice
  • demonstrate an ability to manage their time and resources to undertake a significant piece of independent study and present the findings in a professional manner

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation
Dissertation		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation
Dissertation		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written feedback within four weeks

Indicative reading

  • Alston, M. & Bowles, W. (2012) Research for Social Workers. An Introduction to Methods, 3rd ed, Abingdon: Routledge.
  • Aveyard, H. & Sharp, P. (2009) A Beginners Guide to Evidence-Based Practice in Health and Social Care, Maidenhead: Open University Press McGraw Hill.
  • Carey, M. (2009) The Social Work Dissertation. Using Small-Scale Qualitative Methodology, Maidenhead: Open University Press McGraw Hill.
  • Dodd, Sarah-Jane & Epstein, Irwin (2012) Practice-Based Research in Social Work. A Guide for Reluctant Researchers, Abingdon: Routledge.
  • Newman, Tony et al (2005) Evidence-Based Social Work. A Guide for the Perplexed, Lyme Regis: Russell House Publishing.
  • Thyer, B. (ed.) (2010) The Handbook of Social Work Research Methods, 2nd ed, London: Sage Publications.
  • Webber, M. (2011) Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Mental Health Social Work, 2nd ed, Exeter: Learning Matters.
  • Webber, M. (ed.) (2014) Applying Research Evidence in Social Work Practice. Palgrave


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.