Reference no: EM133617901
Assignment:
Research pin Social Work
In recent times, we have been facing social changes and transformations that impact and require that, as professionals in training, we can study, understand, associate and describe them. Any social work professional who does not have research knowledge will encounter setbacks in the performance of the profession.
It is important that as professionals we know how to handle the basic concepts and approaches of scientific research. Understanding, applying and conducting research will make our professional practice robust and based on scientific evidence.
Content
The social work profession is a discipline that promotes change, social justice, empowerment and the development of the maximum potential of the human being. Social work has produced great contributions to the field of research and has been a reference for professions such as psychology, sociology, among other branches of the social sciences. Grinnell & Unrau (2018) defines the concept of research as: "Strategy to find answers to research questions, and advance knowledge in order to build and innovate with other doubts that guide new research processes based on their results and in turn raise the quality of life of the population."
Ander-Egg (1986) describes it as: "It is the systematic application of logical strategies and observation techniques for the purpose of developing, modifying and expanding knowledge about social phenomena."
10 general steps of research to generate knowledge
Grinnell & Unrau (2018)
• Understand how research results are used in professional practice.
• Develop an initial research question.
• Refine/delimit the research question.
• Review literature.
• Alert to ethical and cultural aspects.
• Selection of a research model.
• Specify the variables to be measured.
• Select a sample.
• Collect data and analyze it.
• Disseminate the results.
Research Designs (Hernández, Fernández & Baptista 2014)
• They direct and systematize the research process.
• The method used determines the results and the way in which the conclusions are presented.
• What data should be collected?: This question responds to the operationalization of the variables.
Qualitative Studies (Hernández, Fernández & Baptista 2014)
Qualitative research methods (Babbie, 2010)
• Observations: record what you have seen, heard or found in detailed field notes.
• Interviews: In person, asking people questions in face-to-face conversations.
• Focus groups: ask questions and generate discussion among a group of people.
• Surveys: distribution of questionnaires with open questions.
• Secondary research: collection of existing data in the form of texts, images, audio or video recordings, etc.
Quantitative studies (Hernández, Fernández & Baptista 2014).
Quantitative studies are those that use data collection to test hypotheses based on numerical measurement and statistical analysis to establish behavioral patterns.
Qualitative research methods (Hernández, Fernández & Baptista 2014)
• Development of models, theories and hypotheses.
• The development of measurement instruments and methods (scales, questionnaires).
• Experimental control and manipulation of variables.
Differences between both approaches (Hernández, Fernández & Baptista 2014)
Quantitative approach --- Qualitative approach
Reality to know. --- Reality to discover.
Measurement-quantification. --- Natural language.
Reality of the social phenomenon - can be known with the mind. --- Reality of the social phenomenon-it is constructed by the individuals who give meanings to the social phenomena.
Report what happens. --- Understand the context/point of view.
References:
Ander-Egg, E. (1986). Diccionario de Trabajo Social. Bogotá, Colombia: Ed. Colombia Ltda.
Babbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. (12th ed). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage.
Grinnell, G. & Unrau, Y. (2018). Social Work and Education: Foundation of Evidence-Based Practice (11 th ed). Canada: Oxford University Press.
Hernández, R., Fernández, C. & Baptista, P. (2014). Metodología de la investigación (6th ed). Mexico: McGraw Hill.
Instructions
Make a short reflection on the learning from the previous reading, answering each of the following questions with three (3) to five (5) sentences:
• What have you learned from the information presented?
• What relevance do you find to your future as a professional in social work field?
• Briefly share any other element related to the material that deserves to be highlighted about the research and its relevance in social work.