Four Mapping social work research
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Ian Shaw
Abstract
This chapter provides an overview about the actual research that takes place in social work. It suggests that social work research should be distinguished in terms of the primary substantive focus of the research and the primary problem focus. The chapter illustrates this through research by university-based researchers, service-user researchers, and practitioner researchers, while considering differences associated with the gender of social work researchers. It also shows how the process of ‘mapping’ inevitably requires some degree of simplification and reductionism. The success with which the intent of the mapping is accomplished rests in the extent to which the user — in cartographic terms, the percipient — understands, and is able to assess and engage with its purposes.
Abstract
This chapter provides an overview about the actual research that takes place in social work. It suggests that social work research should be distinguished in terms of the primary substantive focus of the research and the primary problem focus. The chapter illustrates this through research by university-based researchers, service-user researchers, and practitioner researchers, while considering differences associated with the gender of social work researchers. It also shows how the process of ‘mapping’ inevitably requires some degree of simplification and reductionism. The success with which the intent of the mapping is accomplished rests in the extent to which the user — in cartographic terms, the percipient — understands, and is able to assess and engage with its purposes.
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
