Defending Qualitative Research : Design, Analysis, and Textualization

Focussing on the phases of qualitative research which precede and follow fieldwork - design, analysis, and textualization - this book offers new theoretical tools to tackle one of the most common criticisms advanced against qualitative research: its presumed lack of rigour.

The Beginner's Guide to Statistical Analysis | 5 Steps
"The goal of research is often to investigate a relationship between variables within a population. You start with a prediction, and use statistical analysis to test that prediction. A statistical hypothesis is a formal way of writing a prediction about a population."

Causality and Causal Inference in Social Work
"Achieving the goals of social work requires matching a specific solution to a specific problem. Understanding why the problem exists and why the solution should work requires a consideration of cause and effect. However, it is unclear whether it is desirable for social workers to identify cause and effect, whether it is possible for social workers to identify cause and effect, and, if so, what is the best means for doing so. These questions are central to determining the possibility of developing a science of social work and how we go about doing it. This article has four aims: (1) provide an overview of the nature of causality; (2) examine how causality is treated in social work research and practice; (3) highlight the role of quantitative and qualitative methods in the search for causality; and (4) demonstrate how both methods can be employed to support a “science” of social work."

Evidence-Based Practice
"Social workers increasingly are seeking information about evidence-based practices. Numerous resources are emerging to help connect research to practice."

Evaluating Qualitative Research for Social Work
"In the field of social work, practitioners must remain well informed regarding research advances in their respective areas. Proponents of evidence-based practice expect social workers to engage in practice informed by the best available evidence. Research studies conducted through the lens of qualitative inquiry provide important contributions to the social work knowledge base. In many cases, these studies can represent the best available research regarding emerging problems or application of evidence to diverse populations."

Best Practices for Publishing Qualitative Social Work

"As a doctoral student, Dr. Shiyou Wu worked with Dr. Mark Fraser, professor at the University of North Carolina, and former editor-in-chief for the Journal of the Society for Social Work Research. Wu and Fraser regularly reviewed article submissions to the journal, and noted an increasing amount of research utilizing qualitative methodologies. However, they found that, unlike the quantitative articles they reviewed, the quality and consistency of the qualitative submissions varied widely. "

The Concept Of Action Research
"Action research usually focuses on an action or intervention designed to improve one or more aspects of one’s own work or professional practice (McNiff, Lomax & Whitehead, 1996). Since it focuses on an individual’s own work or practice, it involves a great deal of thinking or reflection about our own work, the way we approach it and the manner in which we actually work. In action research, the focus is on understanding, describing, interpreting and explaining situations or problems while at the same time trying to change them for the better in collaboration with the client or target system. Action research is an orientation to inquiry/research, which means different methods (qualitative or quantitative) can be used in an action research project."

Internet and Social Media Impact on Social Work
The biggest impact of social media has been in the ethical dilemmas it poses for direct practice social workers.
 

Quantitative research methods for social work: Making social work count 
"Social work counts—every day social workers make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of many people. Whether it is supporting adolescents with life-limiting conditions, enabling an older person to remain living independently in their own home with a range of co-ordinated supports, or providing therapy to a young child living with domestic violence, social workers practise at the very forefront of the challenges facing all of us in society."

Graduate research methods in social work
"Students often come to MSW research methods courses anticipating a mixture of boredom, stress, and fear. Authors write in an informal style, similar to how they would teach an in-person class session. By building this more personal and human approach into the core learning tool of the course (the textbook) the authors aimed to improve student engagement and attitudes. We aimed to get student buy-in and incorporate a student perspective to ensure that other students can develop the practices needed for continued engagement with research post-graduation."

Scientific Inquiry in Social Work
"How do social workers know the right thing to do?  It’s an important question.  Incorrect social work actions may actively harm clients and communities.  Timely and effective social work interventions further social justice and promote individual change.  To make the right choices, we must have a basis of knowledge, the skills to understand it, and the commitment to growing that knowledge.  The source of social work knowledge is social science. This book is about how to understand and apply it to social work practice."