SWM112 Research and Evaluation in Social Work Practice Assessment Task and Structure

Assessment Task: RESEARCH PORTFOLIO (45%)

Alignment with Course Unit Outline (CUO): This assessment aligns with the SWM112 Course Unit Outline , particularly in meeting the unit learning outcomes (ULOs) related to:

• Applying research methodologies to critically evaluate social work
• Demonstrating critical thinking and ethical reasoning in social work
• Engagingwith empirical literature and theoretical frameworks to inform evidence-based
• Understandingthe ethical and socio-political implications of conducting research within social work settings.
  
  

Students are expected to use their field education placement to develop a research portfolio , ensuring that their work is grounded in real-world social work challenges informed by academic literature and ethical guidelines .

Word Limit: 1500 words (excluding and appendices)

Important Writing Guidelines:

• Overall,the assignment should be written as a proposal for future research, therefore generally write in future tense . However, while the Literature Review reports on past research results, so be very careful not to write the Methodology in the past
• Theresearch proposal is to be completed as an individual independent

assignment. When finalised, submit your work and upload the file in DOC or PDF format in Turnitin.

Assessment Structure (a writing template will be provided for download) :

1. Title Page: Title of the research, student name, student number, course, and date of submission.
   
   
   

2. Introduction (8 points) (~200 words)

• Clearlystate the research problem and
• Providebackground on the issue and justify its relevance to social
• Outlinecollaboration with a partner organisation (if applicable).
• Clearlyarticulate the research question and specific
  
  

3. Literature Review (10 points) (~700 words)

• Usingacademic describe the social work concept or theory that you are using as a framework for analysis .

• Identify and critique the key themes and debates in existing literature from your framework of analysis
• Utilise at least five (5) scholarly sources from academic journals, reports, or Extended reading is encouraged.
• Establisha clear and logical connection between synthesised literature and the research
  
  

4. Methodology, Data Collection, and Participant Recruitment (10 points) (400 words)

• Outlineand justify the research design and methodology by explaining sampling methods, data collection techniques among
• Addressorganisational permission and, if necessary, participant recruitment processes, must include permission letter in Appendices
• Criticallyevaluate the scope and limitations of the research.
  
  
  

5. Ethical Considerations (~200 words )

• Demonstrateawareness of ethical responsibilities in research.
• Addressinformed consent, confidentiality, risk assessment, and beneficence.
• Criticallyevaluate ethical dilemmas and socio-political implications of the research.
  
  

6. Academic Writing, APA-7 Referencing, and Authenticity (not counted in word limit)

• Include Reference List and Appendices in your assessment.
• Ensureclarity, structure, and logical flow of ideas.
• Apply APA 7 referencing style consistently.
• Avoidreliance on GenAI-generated content without human critical engagement.