a. Social Work: What is social work research?
Social work research is the development of knowledge for the social work practice that is systematic and relies on the research process, which uses the five steps of the scientific method.
b. Importance: Why is it important to the field of social work?
Social work research is important to the field of social work for several different reasons. Social work research allows for needed change to occur in the field of social work by supporting the need for change with evidence. It is common for change to occur based on social work research such as it has in the past in the area mental health. Research can display what has worked in one area to bring it to another area. Social workers increase knowledge, …show more content…
There are several avenues for life-long learning using social work research including joining the NASW, attending conferences, subscribe to professional journals, join a Listerv, spend time in a library reading about the latest research each month, discuss research with colleagues, attend research based trainings and workshops, share your own research, evaluate your practice, collaborate to evaluate services, seek employment with agencies that support research, and continuing formal education (Krysik & Finn, 2010, p. 25). I am already incorporating some of these avenues of being a life-long learner in my field work already. My current employer requires me to attend workshops and trainings each year. I recently attended a three day workshop on Motivational Interviewing that I not only learned in and enjoyed but, have implemented Motivational Interviewing into the work that I do. I tend to continue attending workshops and trainings to have the ability to take new techniques to the field. I intend to eventually join NASW to remain informed of changes, the need for change, and the research to support these changes. I also intend evaluate my practice. As a social worker it is important to help individuals to the best of my ability and by evaluating my practice I will be able to make changes that allow for clients to be helped to the best of my ability. Being a life-longer learner in the field of social work will allow for the best possible outcomes for each client and their
Social work research is the development of knowledge for the social work practice that is systematic and relies on the research process, which uses the five steps of the scientific method.
b. Importance: Why is it important to the field of social work?
Social work research is important to the field of social work for several different reasons. Social work research allows for needed change to occur in the field of social work by supporting the need for change with evidence. It is common for change to occur based on social work research such as it has in the past in the area mental health. Research can display what has worked in one area to bring it to another area. Social workers increase knowledge, …show more content…
There are several avenues for life-long learning using social work research including joining the NASW, attending conferences, subscribe to professional journals, join a Listerv, spend time in a library reading about the latest research each month, discuss research with colleagues, attend research based trainings and workshops, share your own research, evaluate your practice, collaborate to evaluate services, seek employment with agencies that support research, and continuing formal education (Krysik & Finn, 2010, p. 25). I am already incorporating some of these avenues of being a life-long learner in my field work already. My current employer requires me to attend workshops and trainings each year. I recently attended a three day workshop on Motivational Interviewing that I not only learned in and enjoyed but, have implemented Motivational Interviewing into the work that I do. I tend to continue attending workshops and trainings to have the ability to take new techniques to the field. I intend to eventually join NASW to remain informed of changes, the need for change, and the research to support these changes. I also intend evaluate my practice. As a social worker it is important to help individuals to the best of my ability and by evaluating my practice I will be able to make changes that allow for clients to be helped to the best of my ability. Being a life-longer learner in the field of social work will allow for the best possible outcomes for each client and their