From understanding the concepts of research and gathering data, to writing it all up and sharing knowledge, this book will guide your students to become researchers by giving them: a confident start with clarity on core concepts and getting it right ethically step-by-step guidance at each point in the research process, showing them diversity in approaches, the impact of context and how to overcome problems case studies of how real researchers embrace the challenges, surprises and successes of research an emphasis on the person in context, so their research is reflective of the realities of social work and social care practice a guide to writing it up and achieving impact and positive change with research.
Introduction PART ONE: PREPARING FOR RESEARCH Research in the professional practice context Frameworks underpinning research Researching ethically: 'What you do is important but how you do it is more important' Arriving at a research question: Building on existing knowledge PART TWO: DOING RESEARCH Research design: Shaping your study Selecting and accessing data sources: Ensuring rigour Speaking and listening: Interviews, focus groups and community forums Counting and measuring: Questionnaires, scales and secondary analyses Looking and seeing: Visual methods 'Toolkit' PART THREE: MAKING USE OF RESEARCH Making meaning from data: Qualitative analysis Making meaning from data: Quantitative analysis Writing and sharing your findings: Creating knowledge for practice
"An ideal resource for students and practitioners in social work and social care which provides detailed guidance on doing research in an easy-to-understand, engaging manner. Interesting examples of research from the field really bring the text to life." Jennifer Boddy, Griffith University, Australia -- Jennifer Boddy The text serves as an introductory 'how-to-guide' for doing research where the authors place a strong emphasis on producing rather than consuming research [...] the authors will entice all who read the book to take the plunge into the wonderful world of practice-based research -- Laura Chubb * AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND SOCIAL WORK * "The book feels like it was structured as a 'journey' through research, which feels a lot more empowering than the didactic, dry research texts that are more common. The way the book supports practitioners and students to explore and navigate ethical questions and dilemmas was also really useful." Emily Piggott, Graduate Student. -- Emily Piggott
