How Can Curriculum Action Research be Used to Promote Post Qualifying Practice Teaching Award Candidates' Interest in Research Articles?

Abstract

The General Social Care Council (GSCC) Post Qualifying Practice Teaching Award requires candidates to access and evaluate research as well as local and national polices. However there can be resistance from social workers to accessing and using research despite the recent emphasis on evidence based practice. The author used Curriculum Action Research, whilst undertaking the Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education, as a tool to make manageable changes to her teaching practice, by routinely introducing secondary research articles in every teaching session. This approach encouraged the candidates' learning and enabled their completion of their research assignment on their chosen topic, whilst also supporting or challenging their existing attitudes to the role of research in social work practice.

Keywords:

• GSCC
• Curriculum Action Research
• Post Qualifying
• Practice Teaching Award
• Research Articles
• Evidence Based Practice
• Research‐minded Practice