Study results 'state the obvious'

Social work students were asked why they chose their course

A Scottish Executive study of social work students has been criticised for "stating the obvious".

The results of the £57,000 survey showed that 96% of the undergraduate and postgraduate students wanted to become social workers.

Tory Glasgow MSP Bill Aitken said: "To spend this money asking people studying social work if they want to be social workers is a total waste of time."

However, the executive said it wanted to understand the students' motivation.

This is an exercise in stating the obvious and it's ludicrous Bill Aitken Scottish Tories

The survey of students from Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian, Stirling and Robert Gordon universities found, "both undergraduate and postgraduate students chose the social work degree course largely because it was the entry route into the social work profession".

The study said that, when asked why they selected their course, 74% of students chose "using the degree as an entry route into social work" as one of their three most important factors, with 43% choosing this as the most important factor.

The survey findings stated: "This level is much higher than those of other factors."

Career prospects

The study also said students appeared to be choosing social work mainly because it was a rewarding job.

There were a variety of jobs available within the profession and it had career development prospects.

Mr Aitken said: "This is an exercise in stating the obvious and it's ludicrous."

An executive spokeswoman insisted there was value in undertaking the study.

She said: "The aim of the research was to find out why people are choosing to undertake the degree and to inform future policy.

"This degree is a new route into social work so we wanted to know how the students found out about the course and why they were attracted into the profession so we can target recruitment accordingly.

"It's important to understand people's motivation for choosing social work, especially at a time when we are looking to expand the profession."