Research Methods For Social Workers An Introduction

An introduction to research methods specifically needed in social work and social welfare, this text outlines the major stages of research projects, covering both quantitative and qualitative methods.

From the outset, the ultimate goal of Research Methods for Social Workers has been to serve as a research text that students would be able to understand and read in full. This third edition features important additions and changes to the original text (while maintaining its accessible style). The order of chapters is re-arranged to improve the flow of introducing and developing concepts of the research process, and the authors have included some much-needed information to meet the changing and evolving standards of social work education. At its core, this book is designed to bring complex ideas down to a level that can be grasped by someone with little to no knowledge of research methods - it is an invaluable resource for social work students and anyone who wishes to have a comprehensive introduction to research methods.

This handy book is a one-stop introduction to research and evaluation for social workers. Including unique project examples, exercises, discussion points and extensive signposting to further reading, and drawing on the author's many years of teaching experience, it is essential reading for students who may be unfamiliar with research methods.

THIS BOOK IS FOR BEGINNING SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS as their first introduction to basic social work research methodology. Our philosophy is to provide a very inexpensive, easily accessible, straightforward, "student-friendly" book that promotes the use of the scientific method of inquiry process to create knowledge for our profession-the most commonly used framework to generate relevant, valid, and reliable social work knowledge. A conversational style of writing is used in an effort to provide simple, reader-friendly content.

Research Methods in Social Work helps students develop evidence-based practice by involving them in the process of research methodology. An innovative storytelling approach follows two students engaged in internships who go through the steps and tasks required to design a program and evaluate it in their practicum. Readers can see how realistic decisions arise in planning research and the activities necessary to support and conduct a research effort. Students learn the importance of comparison group designs, operationalizing variables, the use of valid and reliable measurements, and how these can affect the obtained results. Specific topics include research ethics, developing questionnaires and instruments, techniques for selecting client and community samples, and evaluating one's practice with single system designs. This edition features a new focus on understanding the statistical procedures, symbols, and findings commonly found in research publications. Instructor and student friendly, it contains self-review questions as well as potential assignments. Research Methods in Social Work prepares students to successfully consume social work research and lays the foundation for those who may want to create research during their academic and professional careers. David Royse is the Joanne I. Bell Professor of Social Policy and Critical Thinking in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Royse has an extensive publication record with his work appearing in Children and Youth Services Review, Child Abuse & Neglect, Social Work in Health Care, Journal of Public Child Welfare, among others. He is the author of several methodology books for social workers, including Program Evaluation: An Introduction to an Evidence-based Approach with Bruce Thyer and Deborah Padgett, as well as Child Welfare and Child Protection with Austin Griffiths (Cognella).