Implementing rigorous survey methodology within contexts of social work education, training and practice: a case study in substance use
Affiliation
University of BedfordshireIssue Date
2014-06-16Subjects
social work researchsurvey methodology
substance use
workforce development
teaching research methods
research methods
social work education
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
With the integration of evidence-based practice central to all areas of social work education and training across the globe, it is crucial that we continue to engage with the methodological challenges inherent in gathering this evidence, particularly when it is related to the nature of social work education itself. As a result, this paper addresses some of the methodological challenges involved in examining the education available to social workers on engaging with substance use, both within the social work academy and local authorities in England. Drawing on experiences of implementing large scale online surveys from three substantial research projects completed by the authors, this paper highlights four methodological themes: (1) Constructing a representative sampling frame; (2) Identifying participants within organisations with many departments; (3) Response rates; and (4) Questionnaire design. While these are familiar methodological considerations, this article draws attention to the specific complexities of gathering ‘representative’ knowledge to inform educational strategies on substance use within social work education and employment contexts. Finally this paper offers lessons learned and guidance for social work academics, students and practitioners who are minded to build, or draw from, an evidence-base using representative samples from and within these environments.Citation
Hutchinson, A., Allnock, D. (2014) 'Implementing Rigorous Survey Methodology within Contexts of Social Work Education, Training and Practice: A Case Study in Substance Use' Social Work Education, 33 (5):605-618Publisher
Taylor and FrancisJournal
Social Work EducationAdditional Links
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02615479.2014.919071Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
0261-54791470-1227
ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1080/02615479.2014.919071