These books will introduce you to foundational concepts of social work research, such as tests and measures, qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis, reporting results, conducting literature reviews, evaluation, etc.
Doing Social Work Research
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This book is a practical beginner's guide to both conducting and using research within the context of social work practice. A clear and accessible introduction to applied research methods for social work students and practitioners, this text covers the key themes, debates and approaches, including:The ethics of social work researchConducting interviews and questionnairesFocus groupsObservation and narrativeThe involvement of service usersAnalyzing dataWith practical exercises and reflective questions, this is an essential text for undergraduate and graduate qualifying social work students.
Fundamentals of Social Work Research
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Fundamentals of Social Work Research is a briefer, but thoroughly re-worked version of the Engel and Schutt′s The Practice of Research in Social Work 2e which will provide an engaging text for introductory social work research classes. The Practice of Research in Social Work introduced research methods as an integrated set of techniques to investigate social work practice methods and problems. The brief edition will continue to integrate substantive practice-related examples with research techniques, present ethical decision making as a part of every aspect of the research design process, and infuse content on diversity and populations at risk throughout the text. The format is appropriate for courses in social work research methods which are one quarter or one semester in length.
Social Work Research Methods: Four Alternative Paradigms
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Social Work Research Methods: Four Alternative Paradigms is the first book that expands social work research methods to include alternative models and integrate these methodologies into general social work practice. In addition to addressing ethics, diversity, and technology, author Teresa Morris also describes research methods for positivism, post-positivism, critical theory, and constructivism. Key Features: Integrates research methods into a practice model: A generalist model of social work practice adapts the stages of this model to the stages of research. Step-by-step guidance is given on how to carry out quantitative and qualitative research with illustrative examples from research projects that have used each of the paradigms. Offers choices in research methods: Students are given options about how to build social work practice knowledge. Depending on their worldviews, students are provided with conceptual frameworks to make decisions about which research methods to use in which situation. Not only are the theoretical rationales for such choices discussed, but the tools to carry them out are provided. Addresses contemporary issues: The ethics and politics of research, the researcher's responsibility to diversity, and the use of technology at each stage of a research project are thoroughly discussed. In addition, materials are provided to comply with the Council on Social Work Education's new accreditation standards to include detailed qualitative research in research courses. Intended Audience: Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students studying Qualitative Research Methods in the field of Social WorkAuthor's website: http://socialwork.csusb.edu/teresa.htm
Social Work Research and Evaluation Skills: A Case-Based, User-Friendly Approach
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The role of research and evaluation in the field of social work has changed significantly since the 1970s. Practicing social workers are increasingly expected to be able to evaluate a client's progress and to research established methods for dealing with particular issues. moreover, groundbreaking research is no longer the exclusive preserve of academics or professional researchers. Practicing social workers are increasingly depended upon to develop, evaluate, and disseminate new methods and information.
Developing Cross-Cultural Measurement in Social Work Research and Evaluation
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Given the demographic changes and the reality of cultural diversity in the United States and other parts of the world today, social work researchers are increasingly aware of the need to conduct cross-cultural research and evaluation, whether for hypothesis testing or for outcome evaluation. This work's aims are twofold: to provide an overview of issues and techniques relevant to the development of cross-cultural measures and to provide readers with a step-by-step approach to the assessment of cross-cultural equivalence of measurement properties.
