Abstract: The course Social Research Methods plays an important part in professional education of social work, but the teaching reform of the course still consists in reflection of the traditional teaching methods and introduction to new methods, ignoring the characteristics of the social work profession and students and lacking the empirical study in the reform results. Therefore, starting from the professional value and methods of social work, this thesis puts the course in the professional educational system of social work, and designs “mutual learning group” for social work students by considering their major and psychology. The results indicate that “mutual learning group” contributes to developing students’ self-learning ability and practical ability, helps students enhance their level of social support and the interpersonal level of self-growth, and is beneficial to cultivating talents with professional value and practical ability.

Key words: mutual learning group, social work, social research methods, group work, participating teaching