Developing Research Based Social Work Practice (Practical Social Work Series, 60) - Softcover

Orme, Joan; Shemmings, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0230200451 ISBN 13: 9780230200456

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010

Synopsis

Ever questioned the relevance of research to practice? This innovative text explains how research can improve the quality of your social work and provides an overview of the theoretical concepts, processes and practices involved in undertaking research within the field of social work.

Promoting critical debate to strengthen day-to-day practice, this important book is  designed to encourage the development of the 'reflective research practitioner' – a professional who is both critically reflective and research aware.

Spanning the whole research process, from rationales for undertaking research for the novice, right through to critical debates on the utility of research findings, Developing Research Based Social Work Practice maintains its focus on the many ways in which research informs social work practice. This makes it essential reading for social work students and professionals of all levels and backgrounds.

About this title

About the Author

JOAN ORME is Emeritus Professor of Social Work in the Glasgow School of Social Work (GSSW), UK, where she was founder Head of School. She is co-author of Social Work Practice and has published extensively in the areas of feminist social work, social work education and research.

DAVID SHEMMINGS is Professor of Social Work at the University of Kent, where he is both Chair of Social Work and Deputy Head of the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Research. David has taught research methods to social workers for over 20 years in three different UK universities. Until recently, he was Project Coordinator for a UK-wide initiative to increase the confidence and capacity of social work researchers and academics to undertake publicly-funded medium- and large-scale research.

 

From the Back Cover

Developing Research Based Social Work Practice explores how research can improve the quality of social work. It provides an overview of the core theoretical concepts and the processes and practices in undertaking research.

Locating the place of social work research within the social sciences, this innovative book promotes critical debate to strengthen both the research base and day-to-day practice. It is designed to encourage 'reflective research practitioners' - professionals who are both critically reflective and research aware - and does so by:

? presenting a range of approaches within research;
? highlighting distinctive aspects of social work research, such as emancipatory
research and researching sensitive topics;
? reflecting on the strengths of research and identifying how to utilize findings;
? introducing beginning researchers to the rationales for undertaking research.

Highlighting the importance of how research informs practice, this book is essential reading for students on qualifying and post-qualifying courses, practitioners, managers and policy makers.

Edition details

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0230200451
• ISBN 13: 9780230200456
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192