Research

The Department has six research focus areas:
 

  1. Social development
  2. Child and family welfare
  3. Mental health and substance misuse
  4. Management, supervision and leadership
  5. Teaching and learning
  6. Cultural practices

These research focus areas are underpinned by various context-related, cross-field research areas.

Each permanent staff member of the Department specialises in one or more of the Department's research focus areas.

RESEARCH  FOCUS  AREAS

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1

Social development

2

Child and family welfare

3

Mental health and substance misuse

4

Management, supervision and leadership

5

Teaching and learning

6

Cultural

practices

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Cross-field research​ areas
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Contexts: global; continental; local; urban;  rural

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Service providers:  national government; provincial government; local government; NGOs; CBOs;  FBOs; private entities    

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Service users:  governments; organisations; institutions; managers; supervisors; supervisees; educators; learners;  communities; families; groups; individuals – children, youth, women/men, older persons, disabled people, mentally and physically ill, HIV & AIDS effected and affected.

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Legislation:  laws; statutory documents; treaties; policies applicable to social work

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Theories, models and perspectives: applicable to social work

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Core values and principles: applicable to social work

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Methods: individual; group; community; policy level; applicable to teaching and learning

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Processes: applicable to social work intervention; management; supervision; policy formation; teaching and learning

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Intervention:  promotion;  protection; probation; rehabilitation;  continuing  care              

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Levels:  prevention; early intervention; statutory; residential;  reconstruction, after care; alternative care; mandatory; voluntary

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Social problems/issues and challenges: engagement with people; structures; recourses and organisations to address life challenges and to enhance wellbeing and optimal functioning

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