SWP2RES RESEARCH FOR SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE A

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SWP2RES RESEARCH FOR SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE A

• MARTIN RYAN
• LECTURE ONE
• Research in Social Work (1)

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UNIT OUTLINEWhere this unit fits
in the BSW course Unit aims objectives Unit
organisation
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Lecture/tutorial outline Reading
Tutorials Assessment detailsResponse to
last years QA feedback for the unit
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a) rely on or consult an authority
orb) we can do the research (collect the
evidence ourselves) (Bouma Ling, 2004)
How do we get knowledge?
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When authorities cannot answer our questions or
we are not happy with their answers, we do the
research ourselves. BUT to do this, we need to
know about the Research Process
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The research process is a disciplined way of
coming to know about the world and ourselves.
It is guided by rules and principles so that we
can be confident about the statements we make
based on our research observations
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• RESEARCH
• is the process of posing and attempting to
  answer questions through the use of systematic
  methods of collecting data and the analysis of
  that information in the light of existing
  knowledge (Ryan)

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therefore the research process is a disciplined
process for answering questions
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The research process involves 1) Essential
first steps (clarify issue and select research
method) 2) Data Collection 3) Analysis and
interpretation (evidence is related to the
research questions and conclusions drawn)
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The research process is often designed to relate
theory (an idea about how something works) and
data (information produced by research) to
produce knowledge
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HOW DOES ALL THIS RELATE TO SOCIAL WORK?
Both Research and Social Work Practice
essentially use the same problem-solving
process.
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1) Problem identification, definition and
specification2) Generation of alternatives
and selection of strategies for problem
solution3) Implementation4) Evaluation and
dissemination of findings.
THIS PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS CONSISTS OF 4
PHASES
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COMMONALITIES BETWEEN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH

• Common process involved
• Use of some of the same methods and techniques
• Common focus on social phenomena

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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH

• applied focus of social work research
• the particular target on social work its
  practice
• consequent focus on the practical uses of
  research towards improved psycho-social
  functioning of people
• use of particular methods favoured

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PURPOSES OF RESEARCH IN SOCIAL WORK (ALSTON
BOWLES, 2003)

• 1) TO BECOME AN INFORMED RESEARCH CONSUMER
• 2) TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE
• 3) TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLICY
  PROCESS

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• 4) TO DEVELOP SOCIAL WORK THEORY KNOWLEDGE
• 5) PRACTISE IN AN ETHICALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER

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RESEARCH'S BROAD ROLE IN SOCIAL WORK ENCOMPASSES
THE QUESTIONS

• 1) WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING? (NEEDS /FEASIBILITY
  STUDIES)
• 2) HOW SHOULD WE BEST BE DOING IT? (LOOKING AT
  RESEARCHING VARIOUS APPROACHES AND
  INTERVENTION STRATEGIES)
• 3) WHAT ARE WE DOING ? (MONITORING OUR
  ACTIVITIES)

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• 4) HOW SUCCESSFUL IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE?
  (EVALUATION OF DIRECT SERVICE AND WELFARE
  PROGRAMS).

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SOCIAL WORKERS CAN PLAY THREE ROLES IN RELATION
TO RESEARCH

• These are
• 1) as a consumer of research
• 2) creator and disseminator of knowledge,
• 3) the contributing partner (Garvin, 1981).

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to be able to understand research concepts
- to understand the research process - to
critically assess research literature - to be
able to prepare a research proposal (plan) to
study a research problem - to become accustomed
using literature for social work practice
This unit aims to enable you to be an effective
beginning consumer and creator of research
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NEXT WEEK - an overview of the two main ways of
doing research (quantitative and qualitative)
TUTORIALS START