Open University Press Applying Research in Social Work

What are the key issues and concerns raised by the debate about making social work more of an evidence-based profession? How is it possible to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of specific research projects? How can research findings be applied in social work practice? In an era where professions are increasingly being questioned and made more accountable for their actions, social workers are required to relate their activities more directly to research findings than ever before. In the modern evidence-based practice debate, there are many claims (and counter-claims) about the benefits of research and about its applicability to social work practice. There are also major disputes about what type of research is most valid to the concerns of social work. This book tackles these debates with a view to clarifying the issues for students and practitioners in social work and social care fields. In particular, the book examines: The political and ideological disputes surrounding the evidence-base debate in social work A wide range of research into social work with children, older people, mental illness and disability The three main paradigms of social research – objectivist, subjectivist and critical How research knowledge can be applied to practice Applying Research in Social Work Practice presents social work students and practitioners with the background to the key current issues relating to social work practice and social research. It also provides guidance on the skills needed to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a range of research studies. Finally, it offers help and guidance about how research can actually be applied in practice.