The Practice of Research in Social Work 4th Edition by Rafael J. Engel 9781506304267 (USED:VERYGOOD) * [ZZ]

Paperback, Sage

The Fourth Edition of The Practice of Research in Social Work introduces an integrated set of techniques for evaluating research and practice problems as well as conducting studies. Evidence-based practice comes alive through illustrations of actual social work research. Updated with new examples, the latest research, and expanded material on technology and qualitative methods, this popular text helps readers achieve the 2015 EPAS core competencies essential for social work practice..

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

• New and expanded content on qualitative methods and analysis, community-based participatory research, and conversation analysis reflects the latest advances in the field.
• Coverage of emerging research techniques includes discussions of ethical issues and Internet research, expanded material on the use of electronic surveys and cell phones for research, and new coverage of qualitative methods, such as online interviewing and netnography.
• New examples of research in the real-world settings of social work practice address such topics as homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, poverty, aging, the methods used and the challenges confronted by researchers.
• Updated and expanded coverage of implications for evidence-based practice, including the steps associated with the practice decision model and the challenges of implementing evidence-based practice at the agency level, prepares students for real-world practice.
• Reorganized and expanded coverage of mixed methods in a new Chapter 12 is supported by social work examples ranging from practice and policy assessment to measurement validity.
• Expanded coverage of secondary data analysis includes coverage of how to access sources, how to assess the utility of a data sets, and the ethical issues associated with analysis and big data.
• New appendices cover questions to ask when reading a qualitative research article.

 
KEY FEATURES:

• Each chapter focuses on a particular substantive research question to underscore the strong and weak points of actual research projects.
• Methods are presented within a unified conceptual framework of validity to help students critically evaluate social work research articles and practice.
• Real-world examples demonstrate the methods used by social work researchers to discover the efficacy of interventions, identify needs, and test the impact of social policies.
• Ethics is introduced in an early chapter (Chapter 3) and discussed in concluding sections in every chapter.
• Culture and diversity is discussed within each chapter to address questions about social diversity in every stage of the research process.
• An engaging presentation of qualitative methods appropriate to the field of social work includes coverage of Photovoice and its applicability to social justice.
• Extensive review exercises, presented in a variety of formats, help students master the key concepts of every chapter.
• Free SAGE edge online resources include practice quizzes, a personalized action plan, eFlashcards, web resources, and more.