The Social Work Dissertation : Using Small-scale Qualitative Methodology

This excellently timed book is invaluable for social work students contemplating, or in the process of completing a modest qualitative study for a dissertation. Many barriers exist for students intending to embark on empirical work; this book, detailed but accessible, takes a theoretically informed approach to guide their path- it is much more than a pragmatic handbook. Professor Steven M Shardlow, Chair of Social Work, The University of Salford, UK "A trustworthy guide to the dissertation process from beginning to end. The advice offered is extremely sound, it is hard to disagree with anything Carey suggests, and if students choose to follow it they should considerably improve the quality of their submitted work." Carolyn Taylor, Department of Applied Social Studies, University of Lancaster "Most social work research dissertations use qualitative methodology - sometimes thinly so. Malcolm Carey's book answers the numerous questions students repeatedly ask, and in ways which will enrich the doing and teaching of dissertation work at both qualifying and postqualifying levels. It is written accessibly and with numerous helpfully worked examples. 'Have you read Carey?' may soon become a frequently heard question on social work courses. This book will definitely be near the top of my reading lists for dissertation skills courses." Ian Shaw, Professor of Social Work, University of York "Malcolm Carey is to be congratulated on this book. He has produced an accessible, user friendly, step by step guide to writing a dissertation which is packed with useful examples relevant to social work students. He has accomplished this without over-simplifying the concepts and theoretical perspectives he describes, thus ensuring that the reader can build upon what they have learned. The book will be helpful not only to qualifying the post-qualifying social work students, but to practitioners and managers who wish to undertake a piece of research, but feel a little daunted by the task." Sue White, Professor of Social Work, Lancaster University, UK This comprehensive book provides a clear and accessible guide for students undertaking small-scale qualitative research for a social work dissertation. Using jargon free, practical language, the book explains the research process and each of the key stages involved. Also included are: Case examples of real student experiences Descriptions of key qualitative research concepts Examples used to explain theoretical models and research methodologies The book offers advice on how to get the most from supervision and explains the importance of ethics and political context within the research process. Use of social theory within research is explored, with suggestions of ways in which different theories can influence and help to contextualise social research. Acknowledging the limited time and resources typically available to students, the book prioritises small-scale qualitative research. Literature based social work dissertations are discussed alongside key sources of information such as relevant journals and websites. The Social Work Dissertation offers detailed yet concise explanations and is ideal for social work students at all levels, as well as social work practitioners. Open University Press Front Cover 1 Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Figures and tables 10 Figures 10 Tables 10 List of case studies 12 Acknowledgements 14 1. Social work research and the dissertation 16 Introduction 16 How to use this book 16 The book’s structure 17 The nature of research 18 The benefits of reseach for social work students and practitioners 20 The social work dissertation 21 Bachelor, Masters and post qualifcation courses 22 Research ethics 26 Summary 29 Suggested reading 30 2. The research process for a social work dissertation 31 Introduction 31 1 Select an appropriate topic 32 Possible topics 34 2 Critically review the literature 37 3 Create a research proposal 37 Title 38 Background 38 Aims and objectives 38 Methodology and method 39 Timetable 40 Research committee applications 40 4 Choose or construct a research methodology 43 5 Apply select method(s) 43 6 Analyse data and fndings 44 7 Write up your dissertation 44 8 Disseminate fndings 45 Case examples 45 Supervision 48 Summary 49 Suggested reading 50 3. Key concepts in social work research 51 Introduction 51 Qualitative research 51 Applied and pure research 53 Qualitative data, evidence and triangulation 53 Research concepts, issues and context 55 Sampling 56 Reliability, validity and rigour 57 Inductive and deductive reasoning 59 Inductive reasoning 59 Deductive reasoning 60 Summary 61 Suggested reading 62 4. Theory and social work research 63 Introduction 63 Theory and the social work dissertation 63 Epistemology and social research theory 65 1 Positivism and post-positivism 65 2 Interpretivism 68 3 Critical theory 71 4 Postmodernism 75 Recent developments in social work theory and practice 80 Ontology and ontological approaches 82 Ontology, epistemology, methodology and method 83 Summary 86 Suggested reading 86 5. The literature review and literature based dissertations 87 Introduction 87 The literature review 87 Primary and secondary sources 91 Key sources of secondary information 92 Journals 92 Monographs 92 Introductory and overview textbooks 94 Edited collections and subsequent chapters 94 Government publications 94 Legislation 95 Popular media 95 Independent reports 95 Previous dissertations 96 Specialist magazines 96 Key authors’ references and websites 96 Reliable Internet sources 96 Keeping records and taking notes 97 The literature review process and critical analysis 97 Literature based dissertations 98 Structure 100 Summary 102 Suggested reading 103 6. Social work methodology 104 Introduction 104 Social work methodology 104 Case study research 106 Case studies for a social work dissertation 110 Criticism of case study research 111 Evaluation research 111 Feminist methodology 116 Grounded theory 120 Critiques of methodology and methodological pluralism 123 Summary 124 Suggested reading 124 7. Traditional methods: Interviews, questionnaires and focus groups 126 Introduction 126 The interview 126 Interview formats 128 Interview questions 129 Core interview skills: approach and rapport 130 Taping or note taking during interviews 133 Potential problems 134 Analysis 137 Interview checklist 138 Questionnaires 139 Focus groups 142 Summary 145 Suggested reading 146 8. Alternative methodology: Narrative research, discourse analysis and life histories 147 Introduction 147 Narrative research 147 Potential problems and criticism of the narrative approach 153 Discourse analysis 155 Criticism of discourse analysis 163 Life history research 163 Criticism of life history research 168 Summary 169 Suggested reading 169 9. Qualitative analysis 170 Introduction 170 Qualitative analysis 170 Analysis for a social work dissertation 175 Four core approaches 175 within social work qualitative analysis 175 Analysing documents 179 Basic thematic analysis 180 Comparative analysis 181 Critical analysis 183 Summary 185 Suggested reading 186 10. Writing up and dissemination 187 Introduction 187 When to write 187 Style and critical engagement 188 Key sections – an empirical based dissertation 191 Introduction 191 Literature review 191 Methodology 192 Findings and analysis 192 Discussion 193 Conclusions and recommendations 193 Key sections – a literature based dissertation 193 Introduction 194 Methodology 194 Literature review – previous research and trends 195 Literature review – key themes and topics 195 Discussion and analysis 195 Conclusion and recommendations 195 Possible ways to improve your dissertation 195 Meet regularly with a supervisor and carefully consider their advice 196 Try to avoid citing a publication yet revealing very little about it 196 Always seek to unpack arguments and points raised 196 Try not to laboriously recite or rehash other people’s ideas 196 Provide adequate evidence of points raised 197 Endeavour not to over-rely upon a handful of sources 197 Make an effort not to over-rely upon the internet and core textbooks 197 Integrate personal experience 197 Avoid repetition 197 Dissemination 198 Summary 199 Suggested reading 199 Appendix 200 Bibliography 203 Index 215 Back Cover 226 ISBN-13:,9780335225491 ISBN-13: 9780335225491 Front Cover ......Page 1 Title Page ......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Tables......Page 10 List of case studies......Page 12 Acknowledgements......Page 14 How to use this book......Page 16 The book’s structure......Page 17 The nature of research......Page 18 The benefits of reseach for social work students and practitioners......Page 20 The social work dissertation......Page 21 Bachelor, Masters and post qualifcation courses......Page 22 Research ethics......Page 26 Summary......Page 29 Suggested reading......Page 30 Introduction......Page 31 1 Select an appropriate topic......Page 32 Possible topics......Page 34 3 Create a research proposal......Page 37 Aims and objectives......Page 38 Methodology and method......Page 39 Research committee applications......Page 40 5 Apply select method(s)......Page 43 7 Write up your dissertation......Page 44 Case examples......Page 45 Supervision......Page 48 Summary......Page 49 Suggested reading......Page 50 Qualitative research......Page 51 Qualitative data, evidence and triangulation......Page 53 Research concepts, issues and context......Page 55 Sampling......Page 56 Reliability, validity and rigour......Page 57 Inductive reasoning......Page 59 Deductive reasoning......Page 60 Summary......Page 61 Suggested reading......Page 62 Theory and the social work dissertation......Page 63 1 Positivism and post-positivism......Page 65 2 Interpretivism......Page 68 3 Critical theory......Page 71 4 Postmodernism......Page 75 Recent developments in social work theory and practice......Page 80 Ontology and ontological approaches......Page 82 Ontology, epistemology, methodology and method......Page 83 Suggested reading......Page 86 The literature review......Page 87 Primary and secondary sources......Page 91 Monographs......Page 92 Government publications......Page 94 Independent reports......Page 95 Reliable Internet sources......Page 96 The literature review process and critical analysis......Page 97 Literature based dissertations......Page 98 Structure......Page 100 Summary......Page 102 Suggested reading......Page 103 Social work methodology......Page 104 Case study research......Page 106 Case studies for a social work dissertation......Page 110 Evaluation research......Page 111 Feminist methodology......Page 116 Grounded theory......Page 120 Critiques of methodology and methodological pluralism......Page 123 Suggested reading......Page 124 The interview......Page 126 Interview formats......Page 128 Interview questions......Page 129 Core interview skills: approach and rapport......Page 130 Taping or note taking during interviews......Page 133 Potential problems......Page 134 Analysis......Page 137 Interview checklist......Page 138 Questionnaires......Page 139 Focus groups......Page 142 Summary......Page 145 Suggested reading......Page 146 Narrative research......Page 147 Potential problems and criticism of the narrative approach......Page 153 Discourse analysis......Page 155 Life history research......Page 163 Criticism of life history research......Page 168 Suggested reading......Page 169 Qualitative analysis......Page 170 within social work qualitative analysis......Page 175 Analysing documents......Page 179 Basic thematic analysis......Page 180 Comparative analysis......Page 181 Critical analysis......Page 183 Summary......Page 185 Suggested reading......Page 186 When to write......Page 187 Style and critical engagement......Page 188 Literature review......Page 191 Findings and analysis......Page 192 Key sections – a literature based dissertation......Page 193 Methodology......Page 194 Possible ways to improve your dissertation......Page 195 Try not to laboriously recite or rehash other people’s ideas......Page 196 Avoid repetition......Page 197 Dissemination......Page 198 Suggested reading......Page 199 Appendix......Page 200 Bibliography......Page 203 Index......Page 215 Back Cover ......Page 226 This comprehensive book provides a clear and accessible guide for students undertaking small-scale qualitative research fpr a social work dissertation. Using jargon free, practical language, the book explains the research process and each of the key stages involved