Practitioner research

Social workers and those in related professions are increasingly urged to be research-minded and to evaluate their practice, but there is little appropriate material to help them to do this. Practitioner Research has been designed with the busy practitioner in mind. It offers down-to-earth advise to those seeking realistic ways of studying their own agency. It demystifies research and makes its concepts and skills accessible to the inexperienced. The authors draw on their experience of running a successful annual research programme for practitioners and illustrate their case throughout with a wealth of real-life examples. They argue that the development of a research-minded profession will come about most effectively through practitioners gaining first-hand experience of research problems. Practitioner Research includes chapters on designing a study, methods of collecting and analysing data, and dissemination. It also features examples of studies successfully carried out by practitioners. It is essential reading for students, practitioners and managers in social work and related professions.