This course introduces students to research as 'a way of thinking' and considers the relationship of research to social work practice. It challenges students to examine their own approach to knowing, to incorporate research skills into practice, and to think critically about research findings in relation to social work practice. Students will be introduced to the concepts, methods, and processes of social work research and will begin to develop skills in conducting research and critically assessing research processes and outcomes. We will look at the many purposes for which research is undertaken and applied in social work and discuss methodologies that are commonly used in social work research. The course will examine what social work research is, why and how we conduct research, how we understand and interpret research as professional consumers, and understand the parallels between the research process and planned change. It also considers the ways in which research can be an instrument of power in the lives of oppressed peoples, and views competence in the language and process of research as a necessary skill for social workers interested in social justice. As such, the subjectivity of the researcher and the political and ethical context of research will be of paramount concern in this course. 2023/01/12-2023/04/27 Lecture Thursday 09:00AM - 12:00PM, 4155 Belshaw, Room U031