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Understanding and Using Research in Social Work
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Understanding and Using Research in Social Work



October 2015 | 192 pages | Learning Matters
How do social work students learn to use research to underpin their practice decisions? How do they learn that research is not an activity unconnected to their professional role and responsibilities, but rather acts as a foundation for their knowledge?

By using the examples drawn from evidence-based practice (e.g. what is known to work and what we know about social work processes), the authors deliver a text that will help support students to appraise and then integrate research into both their daily practice decisions and their assignments and assessments. It will do this by defining key concepts like 'knowledge' and 'evidence' and then look at how these concepts include component parts - from law and legislation to practice knowledge and reflective and critical practice. Case examples are used to illustrate how a clear understanding of these component parts can build to a substantial evidence base from which to draw upon. Identifying relevant research and appraising its quality are core aspects of the book. Later chapters show students how robust knowledge of evidence-based practice can develop into a clear and confident approach to their workloads and their daily practice dilemmas.
 
Introduction
 
What is Knowledge and How Does it Inform Practice?
 
Practice Questions and Research Types
 
Identifying Relevant Research
 
Appraising Surveys
 
Appraising Qualitative Studies
 
Appraising Studies of Effectiveness
 
Synthesising Research
 
Getting Research Knowledge into Practice within Organisations
 
Conclusion

A very user-friendly text, esp at pre-qualifying levels.

Dr Steve Hothersall
Faculty of Health & Social Care, Edge Hill University
August 27, 2020

Making students aware of the importance for a systematic and scientific perspective on social work attitudes and interventions

Dr Barbara Johanna Lill-Rastern
Social Work, Management Center Innsbruck
September 27, 2019

This is essential reading for social workers and social students contemplating and embarking on research and research reviews. It reviews and examines critical issues and approaches in an accessible way with many examples of social work related research.

Dr Harriet Churchill
Department Of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield
November 20, 2016

Very contemporary and relevant to social work practice in particular in a culture where such a text and practice itself is so important. Clearly set out and accessible for students.

Mrs Kay Wall
Applied Professional Studies, Worcester University
November 10, 2016

Useful supportive text for research students in this field

Ms Karen Hillison
Department of Social Work, Hull University
November 2, 2016

This book has been recommended for a postgraduate course undertaken by professional social workers. It is particularly useful for individuals who are not necessarily actively undertaking research but want to understand both its relevance and how its quality can be assessed. The text is well laid out and accompanied by very useful case studies and research summaries.

Dr Robert J Hagan
Department of Sociology & Applied Social Studies, University of Ulster
October 21, 2015

This book is pitched at exactly the right level for my second year social work students so will become a core text. I would have liked to see some discussion about the contested nature of evidence-based practice and a brief mention of research philosophy with an outline of different epistemological positions, but aside from these minor improvements, this book is an excellent resource.

Mrs Emma Reith-Hall
Social Work, Health, Soc Care & Couns, Nottingham Trent University
March 10, 2016

A good starter book for apprentice researchers

Dr Andy Wills
School of Social Work, University of Plymouth
September 30, 2015

Succinct focused and very well written with up to the minute insights on key issues. Excellent book.

Mr Sean McEntee
Department of Social Work, Ulster University
November 3, 2015

Brian J. Taylor

Brian J Taylor, PhD, is Emeritus Professor of Social Work at Ulster University, Northern Ireland. Professionally qualified in social work and teaching, he spent 10 years as a practitioner and manager, and then 15 years in training and organisation development in health and social care before joining the University. Brian was founder and principal organiser of the biennial conference series: Decisions, Assessment, Risk and Evidence in Social Work, 2010-2022. He has taught, researched and published on these topics, including being author on over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles. He has supervised about 20 PhD students, including some... More About Author

Campbell Killick

Campbell Killick, PhD, is Lecturer in Social Work at Ulster University, Northern Ireland, where he teaches assessment and decision making on undergraduate (qualifying social work) courses and post-qualifying, post-graduate courses. He is Course Director for the MSc in Research Methods for social workers, service users, carers and others involved in social work services. Campbell’s research focuses on professional decision making particularly in relation to the abuse of children and adults. Campbell is Co-Founder and Deputy Convenor of the Decisions, Assessment and Risk Special Interest Group (DARSIG) of the European Social Work Research... More About Author

Anne McGlade

Anne McGlade has been Social Care Research Lead for the Social Care and Children’s Directorate, Health and Social Care Board since October 2013. She is the lead on the development of the Research and Continuous Improvement Strategy (2015–2020) In Pursuit of Excellence in Evidence Informed Social Work Services in Northern Ireland. She has a long-standing career working in research and evaluation research in health and social care and other settings in England and Northern Ireland. She has a keen interest in the needs of older people, people with disabilities and people from black and minority ethnic groups. She has undertaken and published... More About Author

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