Research Methods Programme: for Service Users, Carers & Others
The Research Methods Programme provides three postgraduate modules for service users, carers
and others involved in social care research. The modules are designed to develop relevant skills, and
in particular to equip service users to carry out relevant roles in developing social care research, such
as membership of research committees and grant awarding panels. These modules achieve credit
towards the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Development and CoProduction
of Social Care Research.
Using Evidence to Inform Professionals and Organisations (SWK753)
See information above in relation to module SWK751. This module is taught jointly with experienced
social workers undertaking that module. This is a 60-credit module and achieves the Postgraduate
Certificate in Development and Co-Production of Social Care Research.
Research and Evaluation Methods to Inform Social Work (SWK754)
See information above in relation to module SWK752 except that SWK754 requires the above
SWK753 (or equivalent) as a pre-requisite. The module is taught jointly with experienced social
workers undertaking that module. This 60-credit module enables candidates to achieve the
Postgraduate Diploma in Development and Co-Production of Social Care Research.
Professional Achievement for Social Workers
The Evidence Informed Professional and Organisation module enables candidates to gain six
Requirements (1,2,3,4,6,7) of the Specialist Award or three Requirements (3,4,5) of the Leadership
Award of NISCC.
The Research and Evaluation Methods in Social Work module enables candidates to gain six
Requirements (3,4,5,6,8,9) of the Specialist Award or three Requirements (6,8,9) of the Leadership
Award.
Academic Achievement for Social Workers
Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Professional Development in Social Work
A Postgraduate Diploma requires 120 Level 7 credits; an MSc 180. Social Workers may use postqualifying,
postgraduate academic credits from any university (subject to certain conditions) towards
the Postgrad Diploma or Msc For example:
• Social Workers holding a professionally-accredited post-qualifying Postgraduate Certificate
through the Initial Professional Development Programme can gain the Postgrad Diploma by
completing the Evidence-Informed Professional and Organisation module, and the MSc by then
completing the Research and Evaluation Methods in Social Work module.
• Social Workers holding a professionally-accredited post-qualifying Postgraduate Diploma such as
through the Adult Safeguarding, Practice Teaching, Probation Board, Individual Assessment Route
(with academic credit), Health & Social Care Management, Approved Social Worker, Child Care
Award, or other Programmes can gain the MSc by completing the Evidence-Informed Professional
and Organisation module.