Using research to inform practice
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should appreciate the importance of social work research, and develop critical understanding of its sources and its application in practice.
Good social work requires evidence that it works and why. In the past it was thought that the social work relationship (i.e. offering time and support) was enough to help people resolve their problems. The first 'empirical' research into the effectiveness of practice (research that actually gathered information about what social workers did) was a comparison of what was called brief and extended case work and is now known as task-centred.
Since then a great deal of research has been undertaken to provide an 'evidence base' for practice and the conditions in which social workers intervene. There have also been debates about the best way to research practice and the ethical issues involved in such research. There are now a number of resources to help students and practitioners both access research and consider undertaking their own research. This quick guide, written by Joan Orme, acts as a starting point to discuss some of these issues.
Reflective Questions
- In what ways does reading research and research findings help you decide what to do?
- If reading research does not help you make decisions write down why you think that is.
- Does a particular approach to research (i.e. qualitative or quantitative) appeal to you? If so, why?
- If you were to undertake a piece of research related to a question raised by your own practice what would it be?
- Are their areas of practice or people's lives you think it would not be appropriate to research?
- Do you think you would be a better practitioner if you knew more about research methods, as well as the findings of research?