The social work dissertation : using small-scale qualitative methodology.

Includes bibliographical references and index

Social work research and the dissertation --
The research process for a social work dissertation --
Key concepts in social work research --
Theory and social work research --
The literature review and literature-based dissertations --
Social work methodology --
Traditional methods : interviews, questionnaires and focus groups --
Alternative methodology : narrative research, discourse analysis and life histories --
Qualitative analysis --
Writing up and dissemination.

Research is now identified as comprising an integral part of everyday practice within health and social care. The second edition of this popular book equips students and practitioners within social work with the skills and knowledge to effectively undertake research and complete their dissertation. Written in a clear and straight forward way, the book demystifies tasks which may at first seem difficult, such as the literature review or interviews with practitioners, and clarifies the research process by providing a straightforward guide to the basics. Topics include: * Deciding a topic * Setting a research question and clear objectives * The stages followed whilst completing a dissertation * How to undertake a literature review * Analysis and writing up * Ethical issues. This new edition has been fully updated to include more guidance on doing a literature review and literature based research, how the internet can be used to undertake research and more details of ethics and writing up. This book provides an essential guidebook to qualitative research methodology for social work students and practitioners.