Introduction Chapter (1500 words)
You should provide a brief outline of the practice setting that the dissertation relates to, relevance to Social Work and why it is an important area for investigation. Any central concepts to the topic should be outlined here to ensure the reader has a good understanding of definitions, contemporary views on the topic and practice approaches. You should explain the focus of this topic, setting and area of practice, what the dissertation seeks to accomplish and begin to introduce initial concepts and offer background to the topic of your dissertation, the topic usually will have a ‘history’ that needs to be outlined. You will also need to use this introductory chapter to highlight key terms (including their definition) that you utilise within the dissertation.
Policy, Legislation and Data Chapter (1500 words)
It will be necessary to identify the existing (and potentially forthcoming i.e. in Bill format) legislation that underpins the dissertation topic, national/local policy which drives practice or directs resources to the topic, relevant professional standards
which would apply, key statistical data (either centrally collected by the Government or by charities/organisations which have a stakeholder role in the area of discussion) and author-led resources (this could be authors who have written multiple editions of key text books linked to your topic or individuals who are seen as ‘experts’ in the topic). These will be used later in the Critical Appraisal Chapter to compare/contrast/analyse any links, gaps or areas for development between the research themes and current practice.
Literature Search Strategy Chapter (500 words)
What makes a reliable systematic literature review in academic work, what search strategy did you use, how did you identify relevant research/literature, include a record of the data base search used, what was your inclusion/exclusion criteria and why.
Literature Chapter (1750 words)
Include a brief overview of the primary/secondary research and Academic/Professional Journal material that is relevant to your dissertation, this will also include some critical analysis of the need for research and the methods used in the academic material and/or research, the methodological approach used (the value of qualitative and/or quantitative for example) and a consideration of the ethical basis of the research (why are ethics important?) An indication of the key themes arising from the literature should be provided at the end of the chapter which you will analyse within the Critical Appraisal chapter
Critical Appraisal (2500 words)
This is where you take the themes arising from the Literature and offer analysis by comparing, contrasting, and identifying gaps or barriers in practice, in relation to the issues outlined in the Policy, Legislation and Data Chapter. What do the research findings mean for practice; what do they add to or take away from effective and
purposeful practice, is policy/legislation providing adequate statutory responses to contemporary practice linked to the dissertation topic (will future legislation- either at Bill stage or policy announcements made by the Government e.g., statements on intentions or plans to address the issue, address barriers to intervention or ‘gaps’ in current legislation?). How do Social Work England professional standards and the Professional Capabilities Framework fit with the outcomes of your dissertation?
Conclusion (250 words)
This is where you briefly restate the original issue, seen in the light of what has been learned. Pull all the threads of your argument together and restate the key findings of your dissertation. Do not introduce any new topics