ABSTRACT

Research for Social Workers has built a strong reputation as an accessible guide to the key research methods and approaches used in the discipline. Ideal for beginners, the book outlines the importance of social work research, its guiding principles and explains how to choose a topic area, develop research questions together with describing the key steps in the research process. The authors outline the principles of sampling, systematic reviews and surveys and interviews, provide guidance on evaluation and statistical analysis and explain how research can influence policy and practice. This new edition includes:
• an expanded discussion of rigour in qualitative research
• more detailed analysis of systematic reviews
• a new section on on-line surveys
• enhanced examination of action research including recent examples of action research programs
and
• an expanded section on evidence-based practice.

Featuring practical examples and end-of-chapter exercises and questions, and using non-technical language throughout, this is a vital reference tool for both students and practicing social workers.

part I|109 pages

Beginning social work research

chapter 1|36 pages

Social work research

chapter 2|14 pages

Choosing your topic area

chapter 3|28 pages

Developing research questions

chapter 4|29 pages

Steps in the research process

part II|114 pages

Research methods for social work

chapter 5|20 pages

Sampling

chapter 6|27 pages

Systematic reviews

chapter 7|38 pages

Surveys and interviews

chapter 8|27 pages

Assessing community needs and strengths

part III|116 pages

Evaluation

chapter 9|25 pages

How do I evaluate my program?

chapter 10|20 pages

Action research

chapter 13|21 pages

Other methods

part IV|110 pages

Statistical analysis

part V|44 pages

Bringing it all together

chapter 18|24 pages

Influencing policy and practice

chapter 19|18 pages

Developing a research proposal