James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2023

WS3513 - Developing Research Proposals

Subject Description

This subject builds on knowledge and skills developed in WS2007: Foundations for Social Work Research and provides a practical guide further to develop your social work research methods skills. The emphasis is on research design, methods, and processes. Students will design a research project and develop a project proposal (including a thorough review of literature) and an ethics application. Students will learn how to develop a strong rationale and argument for the importance for their project. Research is an essential practice skill in social work and this subject provides students with real world skills for field research. Additionally, those students applying for the BSW Honours degree will have a proposal and ethics application ready to support their application to Honours at completion of this subject.

Learning Outcomes

• apply understanding of the research process to design a research proposal
• identify relevant literature to develop a literature review that supports the research proposal
• demonstrate and apply understanding of research skills to prepare an ethics application

Subject Assessment

• Oral > Presentation 1 - (40%) - Individual
• Written > Proposal - (60%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Availabilities