FDA5132 - Research-informed Practice in Social Contexts

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
propose the importance of research and categorise the merits of research informed practice in children’s and families’ social welfare fields of practice;
express a sound understanding of different research methods to inform practice in the early years/social contexts/educational settings;
categorise and integrate social work studies and relate this to practice within a national and an international context;
design a research proposal;
apply ethical values to a research proposal.

Content:

The module will further develop students’ research awareness, building on previous study within the programme, by developing a research proposal. This will include exploring topical academic or professional commentary in the field of children and families’ social welfare support in relation to fundamental research principles, approaches to research methods and key ethical issues. Students will also evaluate and analyse particular research methods in the context of a research proposal. This module will not only provide a basic understanding of research but will also prepare students for possible Level 6 study and engagement in future research.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will address the following Foundation Degree participants:
• Supporting Children and Families in Social Contexts.

Learning and teaching will include a range of methods such as lectures, seminars, e-working, workshops and tutorials, with emphasis on team experience and peer support, large and small group discussions, problem-solving activities and individual and paired working.

Students may be expected to draw on a range of theoretical/academic, personal and work-based resources. Course documentation, support materials and web-based materials will be available on the VLE as appropriate.

Study skills will continue to be developed. During the course of each session there will be opportunities for tutor/student interaction to meet individual needs and help develop skills, confidence, competence, knowledge and understanding relating to the aims and objectives.

Students will continue to maintain their Personal Development Log during this module and on-going self-evaluation will be part of the students’ identification of needs.

Lectures, seminars, learning activities, workshops and tutorials, e-engagement e.g. e-for a, VLE activities
Contact hours: 20
Intended Group size: Cohort

Flexibly delivered assessment support/ e-support including tutorials
Contact hours: 5
Intended Group size: 6-10

Work-based tasks
Contact hours: 25
Intended Group size: 1
,br> Guided independent study
Hours: 150

Further details relating to assessment
The appraisal is based on scrutiny of field-specific research.

Other relevant matters
This module will be available to students studying the Foundation Degree in Supporting Learning: Sport, Physical Education and Health, in accordance with interdepartmental agreements.

Assessment: