Single System Designs In The Social Services

This new book explores basic issues in the use of single-system designs by practitioners in field settings. Single-System Designs in the Social Services addresses current methodological and practice issues involving single-system designs (SSDs). It reviews the history of SSDs and discusses future issues and options in the evaluation of practice in social service settings using SSDs. The book provides an intellectual frame of reference to understand the place of SSDs in contemporary social work practice and examines the application of SSDs to nonbehavioral methods of practice, the use of SSDs in family practice, the connection of SSDs and computers, and criticism (and response) regarding SSDs. While single-system designs are easy to use in many kinds of client situations, their use also raises many important issues. Chapters in this book address such issues and provide tentative suggestions to resolve them by answering such questions as: What are the ethical principles for using single-system designs with clients? How can the parallel revolution in high technology be connected to single-system designs? Do graduates of schools of social work actually use these methods after graduation? Are there practical short-cuts to using these modes of evaluation? How applicable are single-system designs to non-behaviorally oriented practitioners? How can single-system designs be applied to families? Social work educators are mandated by their accrediting organizations to teach students to evaluate their own practice. This book addresses the tough issues in fulfilling that mandate through instruction in single-system designs, discussing topics often not covered in-depth by textbooks. Social work practitioners, researchers, and educators in applied social science such as social work and clinical psychology, will find this a valuable book to help them sort out the myriad issues surrounding the use of single-system designs.

Research Design for Social Work and the Human Services integrates a range of research techniques into a single epistemological framework and presents a balanced approach to the teaching of research methods in the "helping professions." Jeane W. Anastas begins with a discussion of the different philosophical perspectives within which social research occurs and continues with problem formulation, research design, and methodological issues influencing data collection, analysis, and dissemination. She presents both fixed (quantitative) and flexible (qualitative) methods of research, granting legitimacy, value, utility, and relevance to both styles of inquiry. Utilizing complete case studies to illustrate different methodological approaches, Research Design for Social Work and the Human Services integrates material on women and people of color, and draws attention to the ways racism, heterosexism, sexism, and classism affect the conceptualization and conduct of research. Anastas not only exposes these biases but actively addresses the experiences, needs, and concerns of clients of both genders and different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, cultures, and classes.

Evaluation and Social Work Practice offers a comprehensive treatment of the central issues confronting evaluation in social work that links theory and method to practical applications. Evaluation is an integral part of social work and social care provision, for both practice and service delivery. Evaluation can improve effectiveness and increase accountability and help develop new models of practice and service delivery. The authors argue that evaluation should not just be applied to practice but should be a direct dimension of practice. Appealing to the student, researcher and practitioner, Evaluation and Social Work Practice will become the standard reference source on evaluation in social work. XX

Social work professionals must have a deep understanding of research methods to effectively serve their clients and communities. In this comprehensive guide, Christine Marlow emphasizes this link between research and practice. She focuses on the relevance of research methods within agency work, where most social work graduates will be employed, rather than strictly an academic setting. With a focus on generalist social work practice, she offers a clear and concise overview of the research process, including identifying research questions, selecting appropriate research designs, and analyzing data. Using real-world examples and case studies, Marlow helps readers understand how research can be used to inform social work practice and drive positive change in communities. With a strong emphasis on ethics and cultural competence, this text prepares social work students and professionals to conduct research that is both effective and socially responsible.

Science and Social Work is a critical appraisal of the strategies and methods that have been used to develop knowledge for social work practice. It identifies the major ways in which social workers have drawn upon scientific knowledge and techniques, placing each one in historical perspective by explaining the nature of the problems it was designed to solve and the philosophical, political, and practical questions it raised. Kirk and Reid offer a balanced appraisal of the promises, accomplishments, and limits of such approaches, demonstrating how the fruits of scientific research can aid clinical practice with individuals, families and groups.

Evaluation is not a self-contained phase of social work practice - one more dimension of the process - but a dimension of every phase. In this fully rewritten and updated second edition of his groundbreaking text Evaluating in Practice, Ian Shaw demonstrates how evaluation and inquiry are just as much practice tasks as planning, intervention and review. By demonstrating that good evaluating in practice helps sustain a commitment to evidence, understanding and justice, Shaw shows that for this to be achieved, evaluating in practice must permeate every aspect of social work. He: 1. Develops a framework for embedding evaluation and inquiry as a dimension of good practice in social work. 2. Demonstrates the central significance of a 'methodological practice' in social work that adapts, infuses, and translates social research methods as a dimension of the different aspects of social work, viz. assessment, planning, intervention, review and outcomes. 3. Facilitates good practice by exemplifying the argument through extensive worked examples and exercises. This book has much to say about the demanding skills that are necessary to achieve this shaping of practice and is a must-read for any social work student or practitioner.

"In the field of social work, qualitative research is starting to gain more prominence as are mixed methods and various issues regarding race, ethnicity and gender. These changes in the field are reflected and updated in "The Handbook of Social Work Research Methods, Second Edition". This text contains meta analysis, designs to evaluate treatment and provides the support to help students harness the power of the Internet. This handbook brings together leading scholars in research methods in social work." --Book Jacket.

Social Work Research with Minority and Oppressed Populations presents new developments in social work research methodology that reflect the increased efforts and sophistication of social work practitioners and researchers in studying social work with minority and oppressed populations. It includes research principles that can be generalized across different multicultural groups and suggests answers to fundamental research questions that will advance further knowledge about working with minority and oppressed populations. After reading this book, readers will be sensitive to issues of special concern to these populations and have concrete suggestions at hand for developing prevention programs and implementing social work interventions.