“Research for Social Workers” is an accessible introduction to research methods specifically needed in social work and social welfare. It outlines the major stages of research projects step by step, covering both quantitative and qualitative methods. It offers explanations of how to combine these two traditions in practice, as well as guidelines to analyzing results and reporting. It also includes chapters on needs assessment and program evaluation, both skills essential for human service workers.

As social work practice has become increasingly sophisticated, the role of research in social work has become more critical. Today research is relevant to just about every area of social work practice, from determining needs in the initial stages of an intervention, to planning a course of action, and finally evaluating practice. Springing from the research traditions of sociology and psychology, social work is now developing its own research orientation and knowledge base.
Research for Social Workers is an accessible introduction to research methods specifically needed in social work and social welfare. It outlines the major stages of research projects step by step, covering both quantitative and qualitative methods. It offers explanations of how to combine these two traditions in practice, as well as guidelines to analysing results and reporting. It also includes chapters on needs assessment and program evaluation, both skills essential for human service workers.
Research for Social Workers is written for researchers without a strong maths background. Illustrated with examples, and accompanied by exercises and questions, it is an ideal introduction for newcomers to research, and a reference for more experienced social work researchers who would like to improve their skills.

Margaret Alston is Professor and Head of the Department of Social Work at Monash University, Australia. Wendy Bowles is Associate Professor of Social Work and Human Services and Sub-Dean Workplace Learning in Faculty of Arts at Charles Sturt University, Australia.