Introduction
-
Ian Shaw
Abstract
This introductory chapter offers social work students at different levels and in different countries with a detailed sketch of how research finds a place in the wider social work picture. While scholars often claim a distinctiveness for their writing, the chapter aims to deal with questions that in their detail and also their relation to one another are rarely covered in the social work literature. Social work students are thus engaged in questions and issues in a form that will make for a professional community that is thoughtful, critical, and committed, yet also modest. The chapter shows how the book is not a research methods book at any level, nor is it solely about research, but rather about research as part of a larger picture.
Abstract
This introductory chapter offers social work students at different levels and in different countries with a detailed sketch of how research finds a place in the wider social work picture. While scholars often claim a distinctiveness for their writing, the chapter aims to deal with questions that in their detail and also their relation to one another are rarely covered in the social work literature. Social work students are thus engaged in questions and issues in a form that will make for a professional community that is thoughtful, critical, and committed, yet also modest. The chapter shows how the book is not a research methods book at any level, nor is it solely about research, but rather about research as part of a larger picture.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents vii
- List of figures and tables ix
- Introduction 1
- What is social work research? 3
- Why do research in social work? 25
- Doing research application 39
- Mapping social work research 61
- Social work research over time 81
- Place and space 103
- Sociological social work: a case example 121
- Doing good social work research 151
- References 173
- Index 191
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents vii
- List of figures and tables ix
- Introduction 1
- What is social work research? 3
- Why do research in social work? 25
- Doing research application 39
- Mapping social work research 61
- Social work research over time 81
- Place and space 103
- Sociological social work: a case example 121
- Doing good social work research 151
- References 173
- Index 191
