1. Chapter 1: Science, Society, and Social Work Research

2. Reasoning About the Social World
Was Burt typical of the homeless?
What is it like being homeless?
Why do people become homeless?
How do homeless people adapt to temporary shelter?
What programs are effective in ending homelessness?
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

3. Reasoning About the Social World
Our decisions are driven by:
Personal Biases
Previous Experiences
Differing Expectations
Cultural Background
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

4. Example:
“People of color were more likely than White people to see the absence of good jobs as a key cause [of homelessness].”
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

5. Errors in Reasoning: Indoor/Outdoor Cats
Selective/inaccurate observation:
She observed the cats at the outside door only once.
Overgeneralization:
She observed only two cats, both of which previously were confined indoors.
Illogical Reasoning:
She assumed that others feel guilty about keeping their cats indoors and that cats are motivated by emotions.
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

6. Errors in Reasoning: Indoor/Outdoor Cats
Resistance to Change:
She was quick to conclude that she had no need to change her approach to the cats.
Adherence to Authority:
She is looking to the ‘expert’ to support her conclusion.
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

7. Everyday Errors in Reasoning #1: Selective and Inaccurate Observation
Selective Observation:
Only seeing what you want to see
Being blind to information or data that doesn’t advance your argument
Inaccurate Observation:
Incorrectly assessing an individual or situation that leads us to false conclusions
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

8. Everyday Errors in Reasoning #2 & #3: Overgeneralization and Illogical Reasoning
Extrapolating from a specific instance to every instance without proper justification
Illogical Reasoning
Reaching a conclusion that was built on false assumptions or incorrect information
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

9. Everyday Errors in Reasoning #4 & #5: Resistance to Change and Adherence to Authority
Reluctance to change when presented with new information
May occur because of:
Ego-based Commitments
Excessive Devotion to Tradition
Adherence to Authority:
Accepting authority as opposed to thinking critically about their ideas
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

10. The Social Scientific Approach
Scientific research is designed to avoid these ‘every day errors’
This approach can be used to investigate:
Treatment effectiveness
Social conditions
Organizational behavior
Social welfare
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

11. Definition: Social Science
“The use of scientific methods to investigate individuals, groups, communities, organizations, societies, and social processes; the knowledge produced by these.”
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

12. Social Work & the Social World
Social work responds to negative conditions present in our social world.
Through scientific investigation, we can understand the causes of social problems and implement better interventions.
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

13. Social Work & the Social World
Intervention models can be tested as well.
Social workers can learn what models are most effective.
Research allows us to understand real people and not rely on stereotypes.
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

14. Research in the News: Why Did NYC’s Homeless Population Increase?
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

15. Social Work Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-Based Practice includes:
Best Current Research Evidence
Client Values
Client Circumstances
Clinical Expertise
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

16. Social Work Research and Evidence-Based Practice
EBP Decision Making Process:
Convert need for information into an answerable question.
Locate the best clinical evidence to answer question.
Critically evaluate the research evidence.
Combine critique with clinical expertise with client values and circumstances.
Evaluate effectiveness in decision-making process to improve future use.
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

17. Social Work Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Barriers to EBP Implementation:
Inadequate Agency Resources
Inadequate Research Skills
Restrictive Agency Guidelines
Attitudes towards Research
Inadequate Supervision
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

18. Social Work Research in Practice
Descriptive Research
Gathering the facts
Ex: Who are the homeless?
Exploratory Research
Understanding a social phenomenon
Ex: How do the homeless adapt to shelter life?
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

19. Social Work Research in Practice
Explanatory Research
Identify relationships between phenomenon
Ex: What community-level factors cause homelessness?
Evaluation Research
Outcome assessment to improve interventions
Ex: Should housing or treatment come first?
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

20. Alternative Research Orientation
Quantitative and/or Qualitative
Positivist or Constructivist
Researcher or Participatory Centered
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.

21. Social Work Research in a Diverse Society
Cultural norms impact the research process:
Identifying participants
Ascribing meaning to abstract terms and constructs
Collecting data
Interpreting findings
Engel and Schutt, The Practice of Research in Social Work. © 2016, SAGE Publications.