Handbook of Research Methods in Social Work
Published on 17. January 2025
Book
Hardback
478 pages
978-1-0353-1016-6 (ISBN)
Description
This insightful Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the unique and varied methods of social work research, drawing on examples of research projects undertaken in a variety of countries, cultures and social work settings.
International in scope, the Handbook outlines the foundational concepts and ethical constructs of social work research methods before analysing them through a variety of theoretical lenses, including feminism, queer theory, social justice and radicalism. It assesses effective methods and methodologies in practice, examining quantitative, mixed methods, documentary and active participatory approaches. Contributing authors consider social work research in complex situations and discuss the compound ethical challenges facing such projects, proposing key areas for development in this field such as the use of critical reflection, greater understanding of the ever-present power imbalance, and the social worker as a practical researcher.
The Handbook of Research Methods in Social Work is a vital resource for students and academics specialising in qualitative and quantitative research methods in social work, sociology and social policy. Its assessment of real-life social work projects makes it an invaluable reference for professionals and policymakers operating in the social work setting.
International in scope, the Handbook outlines the foundational concepts and ethical constructs of social work research methods before analysing them through a variety of theoretical lenses, including feminism, queer theory, social justice and radicalism. It assesses effective methods and methodologies in practice, examining quantitative, mixed methods, documentary and active participatory approaches. Contributing authors consider social work research in complex situations and discuss the compound ethical challenges facing such projects, proposing key areas for development in this field such as the use of critical reflection, greater understanding of the ever-present power imbalance, and the social worker as a practical researcher.
The Handbook of Research Methods in Social Work is a vital resource for students and academics specialising in qualitative and quantitative research methods in social work, sociology and social policy. Its assessment of real-life social work projects makes it an invaluable reference for professionals and policymakers operating in the social work setting.
Reviews / Votes
'With so many new challenges facing social work globally, this excellent book provides a timely guide to the uniqueness and strengths of the profession's diverse research paradigm. While firmly linked to other traditions, the collected authors show that social work scholars and practitioners are well-positioned to adapt science to both practice and policy in ways that are exceptionally inclusive. With its special emphasis on Indigenous ways of knowing and the ethical practice of research with populations that are too often silenced, this book will be particularly useful to social workers conducting and using research, now and in the future.' -- Michael Ungar, Dalhousie University, CanadaMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 169 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-1016-6 (9781035310166)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Edited by Margaret Alston, Professor of Social Work, Penny Buykx, Associate Professor, Wendy Foote, Associate Professor of Social Work and David Betts, Lecturer in Social Work, School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
Content
Contents
PART I HISTORY AND POLITICS
1 Introduction: research for social workers 2
Margaret Alston, Penny Buykx, Wendy Foote and David Betts
2 Social work research in the international space 11
Malcolm Payne
3 Social work: ontology, epistemology, and methodology 27
Dr Steve J. Hothersall
4 Why should Indigenous Peoples have anything to do with the Western research system and who gets to decide? 40
Bindi Bennett, Kelly Menzel and Olivia Donnini
5 Empowering elements of holistic well-being: a framework for social work research 53
Maritta Toerroenen
6 Ethical issues in social work research 67
Wendy Bowles and Richard Hugman
7 Assessing scholarly impact: conducting bibliometric analyses 79
David R. Hodge
PART II APPLYING A THEORETICAL LENS
8 Critical theory, research methodology and critical social work 88
Steve Rogowski and Nhung Le Thi
9 Feminist research: applying a postcolonial feminist lens 99
Ruth Phillips
10 Queer theory and social work research 110
David Betts and Annika Herb
11 Ecological social work 121
Kati Naerhi and Aila-Leena Matthies
12 Social justice in social work research 133
David Hodgson and Lynelle Watts
PART III METHODOLOGY AND METHODS IN PRACTICE
13 Radical social work research: policy and politics 148
Maria Lucia T. Garcia and Gary Spolander
14 Quantitative research 158
Sabretta Alford and Barbra Teater
15 Talanoa as a way of life: a research methodology, policy approach, teaching tool and form of professional practice 174
andjoji Ravulo
16 Mixed methods research in social work: exploring alcohol and other drugs through interdisciplinary collaboration 186
Wulf Livingston, Penny Buykx, Joanne Neale and Lillian Bruland Selseng
17 Mixed methods research 199
Lauren N. Bidwell and Johanna C. Baez
18 Authentic co-design in social work research: principles and practices 212
Kate Davies, Chris Krogh and Penny Buykx
19 Using formative evaluation data to shape knowledge in a multidisciplinary field 225
Sigrid James
20 Documentary analysis1 239
Shurlee Swain, Wendy Foote, Frank Golding and Chris Krogh
21 Participatory research 251
Alex Wagaman, Jenee Lee, Aaron Kemmerer and Kimberly Embe
22 Critical reflection in research 266
Jan Fook
23 The practitioner researcher 278
andiona McDermott
24 What are the benefits of using photo-elicitation research methods with criminal justice-involved populations? A scoping review 290
Katherine Williams
25 Implementing feminist, participatory, and decolonial approaches to social work research 308
Naomi Joy Godden
PART IV RESEARCH IN COMPLEX SITUATIONS
26 Child and family social work research 324
Wendy Foote and Karen Healy
27 Research in criminal justice settings: a critical reflection approach 338
Frank D. Baffour, Philip K. Kankam and Portia Darkwa Baffour
28 Social work research with people who use alcohol and other drugs 350
Sarah MacLean and Penny Buykx
29 Research with people who are older 362
Barbara Fawcett
30 Research on violence against women 371
Lesley Laing
31 Research in disaster contexts 382
Louise Harms
32 Cross-cultural research 393
Margaret Alston, Mahfuza Mala and Hasina Zaman
33 Social work research and COVID-19 408
Teresa F. Bertotti, Ana M. Sobocan, Kimberly Strom, and Sarah Banks
34 Behaving ethically during challenging disaster situations: undertaking research and delivering aid during the armed conflict in Ukraine 420
Lena Dominelli
35 Dealing with the unexpected in research 433
Liz Beddoe and Tarsem Singh Cooner
PART I HISTORY AND POLITICS
1 Introduction: research for social workers 2
Margaret Alston, Penny Buykx, Wendy Foote and David Betts
2 Social work research in the international space 11
Malcolm Payne
3 Social work: ontology, epistemology, and methodology 27
Dr Steve J. Hothersall
4 Why should Indigenous Peoples have anything to do with the Western research system and who gets to decide? 40
Bindi Bennett, Kelly Menzel and Olivia Donnini
5 Empowering elements of holistic well-being: a framework for social work research 53
Maritta Toerroenen
6 Ethical issues in social work research 67
Wendy Bowles and Richard Hugman
7 Assessing scholarly impact: conducting bibliometric analyses 79
David R. Hodge
PART II APPLYING A THEORETICAL LENS
8 Critical theory, research methodology and critical social work 88
Steve Rogowski and Nhung Le Thi
9 Feminist research: applying a postcolonial feminist lens 99
Ruth Phillips
10 Queer theory and social work research 110
David Betts and Annika Herb
11 Ecological social work 121
Kati Naerhi and Aila-Leena Matthies
12 Social justice in social work research 133
David Hodgson and Lynelle Watts
PART III METHODOLOGY AND METHODS IN PRACTICE
13 Radical social work research: policy and politics 148
Maria Lucia T. Garcia and Gary Spolander
14 Quantitative research 158
Sabretta Alford and Barbra Teater
15 Talanoa as a way of life: a research methodology, policy approach, teaching tool and form of professional practice 174
andjoji Ravulo
16 Mixed methods research in social work: exploring alcohol and other drugs through interdisciplinary collaboration 186
Wulf Livingston, Penny Buykx, Joanne Neale and Lillian Bruland Selseng
17 Mixed methods research 199
Lauren N. Bidwell and Johanna C. Baez
18 Authentic co-design in social work research: principles and practices 212
Kate Davies, Chris Krogh and Penny Buykx
19 Using formative evaluation data to shape knowledge in a multidisciplinary field 225
Sigrid James
20 Documentary analysis1 239
Shurlee Swain, Wendy Foote, Frank Golding and Chris Krogh
21 Participatory research 251
Alex Wagaman, Jenee Lee, Aaron Kemmerer and Kimberly Embe
22 Critical reflection in research 266
Jan Fook
23 The practitioner researcher 278
andiona McDermott
24 What are the benefits of using photo-elicitation research methods with criminal justice-involved populations? A scoping review 290
Katherine Williams
25 Implementing feminist, participatory, and decolonial approaches to social work research 308
Naomi Joy Godden
PART IV RESEARCH IN COMPLEX SITUATIONS
26 Child and family social work research 324
Wendy Foote and Karen Healy
27 Research in criminal justice settings: a critical reflection approach 338
Frank D. Baffour, Philip K. Kankam and Portia Darkwa Baffour
28 Social work research with people who use alcohol and other drugs 350
Sarah MacLean and Penny Buykx
29 Research with people who are older 362
Barbara Fawcett
30 Research on violence against women 371
Lesley Laing
31 Research in disaster contexts 382
Louise Harms
32 Cross-cultural research 393
Margaret Alston, Mahfuza Mala and Hasina Zaman
33 Social work research and COVID-19 408
Teresa F. Bertotti, Ana M. Sobocan, Kimberly Strom, and Sarah Banks
34 Behaving ethically during challenging disaster situations: undertaking research and delivering aid during the armed conflict in Ukraine 420
Lena Dominelli
35 Dealing with the unexpected in research 433
Liz Beddoe and Tarsem Singh Cooner