SOWK640-26W (D) Whole Year 2026 (Distance)

Practice research for social work

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 15 March 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 23 August 2026

Description

This course covers the fundamentals of social research, including: problem formulation; ethical considerations; sampling and measurement; varieties of research methods; data analysis and, dissemination and distribution of research knowledge related to social work.

Learning Outcomes

  • At the end of the course students should be able to:  
  • Evaluate the application of a range of qualitative and quantitative strategies for research design and methodology for social work research practice
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the key conceptual, cultural and ethical considerations for research in Aotearoa/New Zealand
  • Interpret and discuss basic research findings for social work practice
  • Identify skills they have developed as emerging social work practitioner researchers.

    Objectives:

  • To facilitate a beginning level of competence in understanding and analysing qualitative and quantitative research methods for social work practice
  • To provide an understanding of key contributions to knowledge made by qualitative and quantitative research
  • To introduce students to a quantitative and quantitative methodological framework and research methods and promote an action-based process of learning
  • To critically engage with current research design and methods, and their application in social work settings.
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Biculturally competent and confident

      Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

      Engaged with the community

      Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Associate Dean - Academic.

Restrictions

SOWK621/HSRV421; SOWK617

Co-requisites

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Field Trip A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01-P1 Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00 Noho Marae
23 Feb - 1 Mar
01-P2 Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00 Noho Marae
23 Feb - 1 Mar
Intensive Block Course A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 13:00 - 16:00 Wheki 451
27 Apr - 3 May
Intensive Block Course B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 13:00 - 16:00 Rata 222 & 223 Drawing Office
20 Jul - 26 Jul
Intensive Block Course C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 13:00 - 16:00 Wheki 451
21 Sep - 27 Sep
Intensive Block Course H
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 09:00 - 12:00 Ernest Rutherford 140
21 Sep - 27 Sep
Intensive Block Course N
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 09:00 - 12:00 Otakaro 236 L2 Lecture Theatre
23 Feb - 1 Mar

Timetable Note

Students must attend EVERY activity from each section, block classes are compulsory.

Course Coordinator

Olivia LaMontagne

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Online post 06 Mar 2026 10%
Online Quizz 16 Mar 2026 10%
Online Quizz 27 Apr 2026 10%
Online Quizz 25 May 2026 10%
Literature Review 17 Aug 2026 20%
Written Research Proposal 16 Oct 2026 40%

Textbooks / Resources

Course readings and papers will be provided on LEARN.  It is important to regularly check your SOWK640 AKO|LEARN page for updates.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $2,299.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Health Sciences .

All SOWK640 Occurrences

  • SOWK640-26W (C) Whole Year 2026
  • SOWK640-26W (D) Whole Year 2026 (Distance)