CAIRO BOOKS's Description
"The book provides a well written guide that adeptly captures the
sensitivities and complex implications of both research process and
dissemination within the ever changing and highly regulated world of social
work."
Victoria Foster,Research Associate, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social
Work, University of Manchester, UK, in British Journal of Social Work June 2010
"This book offers many practical examples of research projects taken from the
author's own experience as a researcher. These examples illustrate the usually
complex concepts of research methodology by showing how they are practised in
the real world of social work, so the title is apt. Especially useful are the
common features of social work research discussed at length in the final
chapter, as a way of finding common ground in the disputed terrain of social
work as a profession, and in social work research in particular."
Heather D'Cruz, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University,
Australia
"Smith clearly highlights the parallels between the values of social work and
the values that underpin research in this area, and in so doing, demonstrates
the emancipatory potential of social work research...this is a valuable text
that will help to allay many of the fears associated with conducting social
work research."
Caroline Andow, Senior Research Fellow, University of Southampton, Social
Sciences Department, UK
"As a third year social work student I found this book a good consolidation
of what I have been learning this semester in my research and evaluation
module. It has helped me with my end of module assignment, to demonstrate my
understanding of social work research through a detailed literature search ...
I found the practical examples of actual pieces of research particularly useful
in getting an idea of how particular methods are used. I have found this book
very useful as it has helped clarify the meaning of the research terminology
and given me a good understanding of the overall process."
Sally Biskin, Social Work Student, Bangor University, UK
This accessible book is based on the author's extensive practical experience
of carrying out and teaching research in the social work field. Social work
research is shown to be both a distinctive academic enterprise and a task that
can be accomplished effectively in line with the values and ethical principles
that lie at the discipline's core.
Doing Social Work Research helps intending researchers to relate
'methodology' to 'method', so that they can make authoritative decisions about
how to turn initial research questions into valid and feasible investigative
strategies. In doing so, it introduces and evaluates a wide range of approaches
across the spectrum of social work research.
Building on this, the book provides detailed guidance on how to organize the
research task, paying close attention to the practicalities of planning,
preparation, implementation and management of investigations.
Doing Social Work Research features: A comprehensive overview of social work
research methods Detailed guidance on ‘how to’ carry out research in social
work Illustrative examples of research practice from personal experience
Effective links between core social work values, purposes, methodologies and
research practices This book is a valuable resource for social work students
and practitioners carrying out research projects as well as practicing
researchers and research educators in the discipline.