ABSTRACT

This book presents a novel and accessible way to learn about designing and conducting social research. Unlike traditional social research methods books, it provides a ‘real world’ account of social researchers’ experiences and learning achieved through conducting research in a variety of fields.

It contains an eclectic collection of research and advice for conducting research from social researchers with varying backgrounds. Suggestions are made in relation to gaining access to research sites, conducting research on sensitive topics such as suicide, child sexual abuse and homelessness, ensuring the inclusive participation of participants with intellectual disabilities and children. Also included are discussions of conducting practitioner research, conducting research on individual change, psychoanalytically informed research, documentary research and post qualitative research. Other chapters focus on criticality in research on topics that have become politicised and moralised, ensuring that research conducted is credible and how knowledge in research is constructed through both the theoretical framework used and how it is conducted.

Bringing together a diverse collection of social research projects, Designing and Conducting Research in Social Science, Health and Social Care will be of interest to students, educators and researchers in the social sciences and professionals in related areas.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

chapter 1|11 pages

Gatekeepers

The experience of conducting research in a prison setting

chapter 2|14 pages

Suicide research

What have we learned about conducting sensitive research with vulnerable populations?

chapter 3|17 pages

Ensuring the active participation of people with intellectual disabilities in research

Implications for researchers and professionals

chapter 4|13 pages

To choose and to participate

Lessons from researching with children and young people

chapter 5|13 pages

Managing relationships in the field

Practitioner research with the travelling community

chapter 6|15 pages

Between policy and practice

Ethical challenges in longitudinal social work research with street youth

chapter 7|14 pages

Cream cakes, hungry cats and hugs

Developing a responsive strategy to asking sensitive questions and hearing the answers

chapter 11|13 pages

The politics and ethics of research into ‘wicked’ social problems

The case of Jimmy Savile at Duncroft

chapter 13|14 pages

Using documents to examine the meanings of childhood

A figurational perspective

chapter 14|14 pages

Theoretical frameworks in research

Lessons from a study examining the experiences of birth children of foster carers

chapter 15|16 pages

Constructing a knowledge through research

Examples from research on practice teaching

chapter 16|17 pages

Indicators and strategies to develop credible outcomes in qualitative research

Young people, compliance and community supervision