The course aims at equipping students with a readiness to research and develop their own future work practices. They acquaint themselves with practice research in social work and development of professional practices as well as become familiar with the terminology in Finland’s second national language (Swedish). The course comprises three intertwining parts: (1) theory of social work practice research, (2) research into the practices of social work, and (3) seminars of social work practice research.

After completing the course, students are able to plan, implement and report on practice research in social work, including the creation of a research plan and work according to it in cooperation with a work community in the social welfare sector. They are able to discuss the phenomenon addressed in their research and, based on their research, evaluate the needs and possibilities to develop professional practices in social work. After the course, students have basic skills in societal influencing related to the development of client work. After having practised a dialogical work orientation in the course, they are able to utilise it in their own professional activities. The course is bilingual, with common instruction and separate guidance groups.

The course includes lectures, research process supervision, and work in peer groups and in a work community. Students implement a practice research project in cooperation with a work community, present it in a seminar at the University, and return the results to the work community.