Learning Outcomes:
The rationale for asking students to complete a critical literature review is to provide them with the opportunity to critically evaluate literature, enabling them to apply this skill in their professional practice after qualification. To support this skill development process, each Chapter provides learning opportunities that mirror the critical evaluation of literature used to evidence social work practice.
The module content will help students to meet CORU standards, including the following:
Domain 1: Professional autonomy and accountability
Be able to practise safely and effectively within the legal, ethical and practice boundaries of the profession.
Be able to identify the limits of their practice and know when to seek advice and additional expertise or refer to another professional.
Recognise personal responsibility and professional accountability for one’s actions and be able to justify professional decisions made.
Be able to take responsibility for managing one’s workload.
Understand the principles of professional decision-making and be able to make informed decisions within the context of competing demands, including those relating to ethical conflicts and available resources.
Domain 2: Communication, Collaborative Practice and Teamworking
Be able to produce clear, concise, accurate and objective documentation.
Be able to apply digital literacy skills and communication technologies appropriate to the profession.
Domain 3: Safety and Quality
Be able to determine the appropriate tests/assessments required and undertake/arrange these tests.
Be able to analyse and critically evaluate the information collected in the assessment process.
Be able to demonstrate sound logical reasoning and problem solving skills to determine appropriate problem lists, action plans and goals.
Be able to demonstrate an evidence-informed approach to professional decision-making, adapting practice to the needs of the service user and draw on appropriate knowledge and skills in order to make professional judgments.
Understand the need to monitor, evaluate and/or audit the quality of practice and be able to critically evaluate one’s own practice against evidence-based standards and implement improvements based on the findings of these audits and reviews.
Domain 4: Professional Development
Be able to engage in and take responsibility for professional development.
Understand the need to demonstrate evidence of ongoing continuing professional development and education, be aware of professional regulation requirements and understand the benefits of continuing professional development to professional practice.
Understand the importance of and be able to seek professional development, supervision, feedback and peer review opportunities in order to continuously improve practice.
Domain 5: Professional Knowledge and Skills
Know, understand and apply the key concepts of the domains of knowledge which are relevant to the profession for individuals, groups and communities.
Demonstrate a critical understanding of social work theory, methods and skills, social policy and social research, including consideration in a global context.
Critically understand the importance of effective supervisory frameworks and be able to actively participate in same.
Demonstrate an awareness and critical understanding of how social work practice is influenced by regulations, national guidelines and standards, findings of inquiries, investigations, associated reports; issues and trends in public and policy development; and be able to access new and emerging information which affects social work practice.
Be able to write concise, accurate reports which articulate and justify professional decisions made.
Know and critically understand the principles, ethics and applications of scientific enquiry, including the evaluation of treatment/intervention efficacy, the research process and evidence-informed practice.
Demonstrate skills in evidence-informed practice, including translation of theory, concepts and methods to professional practice.
Be able to identify and critically understand the impact of organisational, governmental,
community and societal structures, systems and culture on health and social care.
Demonstrate ability to participate in clinical, academic or practice-based research.
Know the basic principles of effective teaching and learning, mentoring and supervision.
Indicative Module Content:
The SPOL 40970 Research Methods 1 module provides knowledge and understanding of the types of research social workers conduct, the processes involved, and the ethical principles they must follow. This knowledge lays the foundation for undertaking research and identifying reliable academic literature to inform social work practice. SPOL 41010 builds on this knowledge by asking students to complete a 6,000-word critical literature review. Social work practitioners must use evidence to inform their practice. Throughout a social worker’s career, they will face unfamiliar challenges. By critically evaluating relevant literature, they can enhance their understanding and proceed more effectively. This critical literature review allows students to apply the knowledge from SPOL 40970, Research Methods 1, to develop research skills essential for evidence-based practice.