Australian social work research: an empirical study of engagement and impact
Name:
impact+of+sw+research+accepted ...
Embargo:
2022-12-03
Size:
282.0Kb
Format:
PDF
Description:
author's accepted version
Affiliation
Griffith UniversityLa Trobe University
University of Bedfordshire
Southern Cross University
Issue Date
2020-12-03
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Internationally, non-academic research impact is assessed by governments as part of evaluating the quality of publicly funded research. A case study method was used to investigate the non-academic impact of Australian social work research. Interviews were conducted with 15 leading researchers about outputs (research products, such as publications and reports), engagement (interaction between researchers and end-users outside academia to transfer knowledge, methods, or resources), and impact (social or economic contributions of research). Twelve case studies were prepared using a standardised template. Content analysis highlighted examples of impact, and theoretical and in-vivo coding uncovered processes of engagement and impact. Different types of engagements with research end-users influenced impact in three areas: legislation and policy; practices and service delivery; and quality of life of community members. Engagement and impact were intertwined as research altered policy discourses and illuminated hidden social issues, preparing ground for subsequent, more direct impact. Likewise, academic and non-academic impacts were intertwined as research rigour and academic credibility were perceived to leverage influence. There was no evidence of achieving impact simply through the trickle-down effect of scholarly publication. The findings broaden understandings of how research influences policy and practice and iterative and indirect relationships between engagement and impact.Citation
Tilbury C, Bigby C, Fisher M, Hughes M (2020) 'Australian social work research: an empirical study of engagement and impact', British Journal of Social Work, (), pp.-.Publisher
Oxford University PressJournal
British Journal of Social WorkAdditional Links
https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/bjsw/bcaa170/6018474Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
0045-3102Sponsors
Australian Research Councilae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1093/bjsw/bcaa170/6018474
Scopus Count
Collections
The following license files are associated with this item:
- Creative Commons
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Green - can archive pre-print and post-print or publisher's version/PDF