Research Skills for Social Work
- Andrew Whittaker - London South Bank University, UK
This has been a very useful book in helping students with their undergraduate dissertations. I found the chapter on the literature review particularly helpful in my lectures to the students on that topic. It has also been a great help in my supervision of social sciences Master's students.
This book is structured well, clearly setting out the various stages of research, how to undertake literature reviews (particularly relevant for the BA and MSW classes I teach) and then covering the research process generally. It has a useful glossary and references. The fact that it links research to the Professional Capabilities Framework makes it very relevant and useful.
Excellent book - student friendly, yet challenging
I found this a useful text, but as focus of our module is the effective use of research in practice rather than 'doing research', this text did not become essential. However, it will be used in the year 3 Independent Study module.
Clear, accessible text which is useful for BA and MA students in social work. Demystifies research concepts and processes.
An effective book that provides students with an effective framework for researching and link theory to practice and policy
This is an important area that many practitioners neglect and which we must prioritise in terms of the development and recognition of social work as a profession. This book is accessible to students to enable them to take away some of the anxieties they may have about utilising research findings into their practice.
It is difficult to pitch a book on research methods for social work. This book is pitched at a basic overview level of research methods suited to qualifying training, but our qualifying (BSc) curriculum is so full of essential practice skills that little is taught on research methods. The book is too simple for post qualifying studies where we teach qualified (~ 10yrs) social workers to undertake research/audit/evaluation projects.
Very useful chapter for my students who undertake literature reviews as part of the module assessment
This is a good basic introduction to research methods in social work.
A litttle short on mixed methods approach.
