UnitLevel 5Postgraduate

SWM5171 Advanced research and policy practice capstone project

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

SWM5171 Advanced research and policy practice capstone project is a level 5, 12-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2027 in Semester 2 and Full year at Caulfield. It needs (SWM5100, SWM5112 and SWM5004); or (SWM5115 and SWM5116).

Credit points: 12
Offered in 2027: Semester 2, Full year; Caulfield
Assessment: No exam; 2 tasks

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Requisites

Before SWM5171

Prohibitions

You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.

One of

Prerequisites

Pass these before you enrol.

One of

All of

After SWM5171

No unit lists SWM5171 as a prerequisite in the 2027 handbook.

Overview

Under the guidance of a supervisor, you will develop and implement an independent study on a topic of relevance to social work policy, practice or the profession. This study could involve primary, secondary or tertiary research, and may focus specifically on policy analysis.

You will gain skills in formulating a topic, gathering data, interrogating it using acceptable analytical processes, and developing informed and defensible conclusions.

Through an iterative and collaborative intellectual process with your supervisor, you will create either a written research report, or a ready-for-submission journal article.

Through the research process you will construct a beginning professional identity as a social worker-researcher able to apply social work knowledge, skills and values in a research study.

Successful completion of the unit SWM5112 Research for social work practice and SWM5171 Advanced research and policy practice capstone project at a minimum of Distinction, may permit you to apply for a graduate research program including the PhD at Monash University

Offerings in 2027

Teaching period	Campus	Mode
Second semester	Caulfield	Flexible
Second semester to First semester	Caulfield	Flexible
Full year	Caulfield	Flexible

Assessment

Oral presentation of research (20 minutes, individual presentation)Presentation
20%
Research report (8000-10000 words) or as a ready-for-submission articleWritten
80%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1
Critique the framing of a chosen social issue in public discourse, with attention to cultural constructs, social norms and values, as a foundation for your study.
2
Design and implement a study within accepted professional, research and ethical standards, integrating and applying relevant social work knowledge, skills and values.
3
Demonstrate skills in the organisation, analysis and interpretation of data according to accepted research standards.
4
Synthesise critical arguments in relation to the existing literature about the topic.
5
Generate defensible conclusions in respect to the significance of any research findings.
6
Effectively manage time and resources in a collaborative manner with a supervisor to achieve pre-determined goals.
7
Communicate and defend the study findings, meeting the academic standards associated with a research-informed investigation.
8
Appraise and articulate your developing professional identity as a critical and evidence informed practitioner.

Workload and teaching

Seminars-

4 hours of teacher directed study per week, including a 2 hour seminar, each week over Semester 1 and in the final weeks of Semester 2. The remaining hours during semester involve directed readings and class preparation.

Over the full year, there is an expected minimum of 12 hours per week of self-directed study.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators: Professor Philip Mendes; Associate Professor Susan Baidawi; Associate Professor Catherine Flynn
Chief Examiners: Associate Professor Catherine Flynn

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for SWM5171?

You need (SWM5100, SWM5112 and SWM5004); or (SWM5115 and SWM5116) before you enrol.

When is SWM5171 offered?

In 2027, SWM5171 runs in Semester 2 and Full year at Caulfield.

Does SWM5171 have an exam?

No. SWM5171 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.

More details

Credit points: 12
Level: 5
Study level: Postgraduate
Faculty: Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational unit: Social Work

Type: Coursework
EFTSL: 0.250
Student contribution: SCA Band 4
Study abroad: Not available
Handbook years: 2025 20262027