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Preface
Social Work Research Methods Programme
The Research Methods Programme provides two postgraduates, post
qualifying modules for social workers approved by the Northern Ireland
Social Care Council as part of the Professional in Practice Framework:
• The Evidence-Informed Professional and Organisation (SWK 751)
• Research and Evaluation Methods in Social Work (SWK 752)
The programme provides three modules for users of social care services
and their families:
• Using Evidence to Inform Professionals and Organisations (SWK 753)
• Research and Evaluation Methods to Inform Social Work (SWK 754)
• Innovation and Co-Production in Social Care Research (SWK755)
The modules for social workers are accredited by the professional
regulatory body, the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, and enable
candidates to gain Requirements of the Professional in Practice Framework
as detailed below. They require employer support and post-qualifying practice
experience for entry. They are designed particularly for Senior Practitioners,
training officers and other experienced Social Workers to gain knowledge and
skills in using evidence to inform their practice and service development in
their organisation. These modules achieve credit towards the Postgraduate
Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Professional Development in Social
Work.
The modules for service users and carers equip them to carry out 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/MSc in
Development and Co-Production of Social Care Research.
All modules are 60-credit Level 7 (postgraduate) modules and are designed
to develop knowledge and skills relevant to social work research-related
activity and culture in Northern Ireland in support of the Social Work Research
and Continuous Improvement Strategy 2020-2025 (Health & Social Care
Board, 2021). The previous 2015- 2021 Strategy was revised in 2020.