lecture 1 Flashcards
(37 cards)
Knowledge is gained through:
our own personal experiences (can be biased)
the knowledge of others
tradition
the use of scientific methods
What is Research (according to Faukner)
“Research is a systematic and methodological approach to creating knowledge” (Faulkner & Faulkner, 2019, p. 1).
“Research is … the assimilation of knowledge and the gathering of data in a logical manner in order to become informed about something” (Faulkner & Faulkner, 2019, p. 3).
what is research (according to Wilson)
“Research is all about unanswered questions, but it also reveals our unquestioned answers” (Wilson, 2008, p. 6).*
Relational Accountability
“Relational accountability comes into every aspect of the research process … At every stage, we have to ask ourselves, am I fulfilling my responsibilities to my relationships? Is this of benefit to the community? Am I being true to my values? Am I being true to the values and wishes of the communities with whom I’m working? Is this research approach enacting an ethic of care?”(p. 13).
It “is [about] ensuring that research questions are genuinely aligned with community priorities and … are going to “lead to some change out there in that community”(p.14).
Reconciliation:
“Reconciliation is all about action … To care is not enough, to be compassionate is not enough, to know the truth is not enough. We must use this awareness to guide our actions – as researchers and as human beings”(p. 6).
role of power and knowledge as a researcher?
“We have to recognize that as researchers, we have power. We have to use our power and knowledge responsibly. We have to act. That might be acting to resolve differences or acting to ensure accuracy or acting by refusing to follow the status quo. It requires us to use our power as researchers to change ourselves as individuals, but also all of humankind” (p.7).
Challenging Colonialism & Settler Colonialism through Research
(HOW TO RESIST THESE FORCES?)
To resist is to research in the margins, retrieve what we were and remake ourselves. The past, our stories, local and global, the present, our communities, cultures, languages and social practices – all may be spaces of marginalization, but they have also become spaces of resistance and hope … researchers have begun to address social issues within the wider framework of self-determination, decolonization and social justice”
Smith (1999, p. 4).
According to Walter (RESISTING THESE COLONIAL, NEOLIBERAL, SETTLER COLONIAL FORCES CAN BE DONE BY):
To create a body of evidence:
This involves generating research that centers Indigenous perspectives, experiences, and knowledge systems. By producing evidence grounded in Indigenous realities, we can challenge the dominant narratives that often marginalize or misrepresent Indigenous communities.
To have data for influencing policy decisions:
Data is a powerful tool in shaping public policy. By collecting and presenting data that reflects the true needs and experiences of Indigenous peoples, we can advocate for policy changes that are responsive to their realities, rather than policies rooted in colonial assumptions.
Reframing the analyses of social issues within Indigenous communities:
This means shifting the lens through which social problems in Indigenous communities are viewed. Instead of seeing these issues through a deficit model, we should analyze them in the context of colonial history, ongoing settler colonialism, and neoliberal policies. This reframing highlights how external forces, rather than inherent community weaknesses, contribute to challenges, paving the way for solutions that are culturally appropriate and decolonized.
Challenging Whiteness Through Research (how do we do it?)
Apply theoretical frameworks that enable drawing connections between ideology, policy and research
Those who are experiencing exclusion should be the creators of their own knowledge
Select research questions that examine dominant culture’s hidden assumptions and values
restoring human dignity
“Dignity is not only fundamental to health and human rights separately but may actually serve to explain the link between the two: that is, the relationships between the societal achievement, or failure, of human rights goals and individual and collective health status may be mediated by the experience of dignity” (Mann cited in Jacobson, 2009, p.1).
Importance of Social Work Research
To explore new areas of concern/practice intervention
We have an obligation to produce knowledge relevant to our discipline (SW Code of Ethics)
To evaluate practices / interventions
To be accountable to funders
To inform policy
To advocate for change within the agency
To highlight oppression and injustice faced by historically marginalized groups
questions to ask that challenge mainstream ways of research
Who is undertaking research?
Who has designed its questions?
What methodology is used for conducting research?
Who will carry out the research?
What theories are used to explain the social phenomenon? Where do those theories originate from?
Who will write it up?
What recommendations are prescribed?
What will be done with the findings of research? Or Who will benefit from this research?
Quantitative
To describe (e.g. StatsCan)
To explain, predict and control a relationship between two or more variables/factors To provide evidence of effectiveness
Qualitative
To understand characteristics, meaning and lived experiences (deep dive type of research)
Mixed-method
Elements of both qualitative and quantitative methods are used in one study
Researchers’ Positionality in quantitative research
no acknowledgement of bias
assumes researcher’s neutrality
Researchers’ Positionality in Qualitative research
acknowledges researcher’s bias
different approaches of inquiry address it differently
Exploratory Purpose and Design and WHAT method of research is used for it?
“Exploratory research design is a design in which the primary purpose is to examine a little understood issue or phenomenon to develop preliminary ideas and move toward refined research questions by focusing on the “what” question” (Neuman, 2006, p. 33).
Generally Qualitative methodology is used
For instance, if we’re exploring barriers to mental health services among marginalized communities, we might conduct focus groups or interviews to gather insights. This qualitative approach helps us identify key issues, concerns, and experiences that can guide more structured research in the future.”
Descriptive Purpose and Design and WHAT method of research is used for it?
“Descriptive research design is a design in which the primary purpose is to “paint a picture” using words or numbers and to present a profile, a classification of types, or an outline of steps to answer questions such as who, when, where, and how” (Neuman, 2006, p. 35).
Quantitative or qualitative methodology can be used
Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies can be employed in this research design. For example, a quantitative approach might involve using surveys to gather statistical data on substance use among teenagers, presenting findings in charts and graphs. A qualitative approach, on the other hand, could involve conducting interviews to describe the experiences and motivations behind substance use, capturing the nuances of individual stories.”
Explanatory Purpose and Design and WHAT method of research is used for it?
“Explanatory research design is a design in which the primary purpose is to explain why events occur and to build, elaborate, extend and test a theory” (Neuman, 2006, p. 35).
Quantitative methodology is mostly used
“Explanatory research design focuses on understanding the reasons behind events and seeks to build, elaborate, or test theories. According to Neuman (2006), its primary purpose is to explain ‘why’ things happen.
Typically, quantitative methodology is employed in this type of research. For example, if we’re studying the impact of parental involvement on children’s academic success, we might use surveys to collect numerical data on parental engagement levels and student performance. Statistical analysis would then allow us to explain how and why higher parental involvement correlates with better academic outcomes.”
Evaluative Purpose and Design nd WHAT method of research is used for it?
Evaluative research employs systematic methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of a program or agency.
Mixed methods designs are often used.
For instance, if we’re evaluating a youth mentorship program, we might use mixed methods. We could gather quantitative data through surveys measuring participant outcomes, such as academic performance, alongside qualitative data from interviews with mentors and mentees to capture personal experiences and insights. This combination allows us to assess not just whether the program works, but also how and why it makes a difference.”
Construct Measurement Instruments (what is purpose and design?)
This research purpose/design is used:
to develop standardized measurement instruments –> For example, creating a standardized questionnaire to assess mental health symptoms in adolescents ensures that every participant responds to the same set of questions, allowing for consistent data collection across different studies.
to assess the validity and reliability of existing measurement tools –>
For instance, if we’re using a previously developed scale to measure client satisfaction with social services, we would evaluate its validity (does it truly measure satisfaction?) and reliability (does it yield consistent results over repeated administrations?) to ensure its effectiveness in our research.”
Cross sectional research is like a _______
snapshot…… This means that we gather data from a group of people at a single point, without tracking them over time.
For example, let’s say we want to know how stress levels differ among university students. We survey students from different years (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th year) all at once to compare stress levels at that specific moment, rather than following them over their entire university experience. It gives us a quick look but doesn’t show how things change.”
Longitudinal research
gathers data at multiple points in time.
like recording a video over time—it lets us see how things change or develop. Instead of just taking one snapshot, we keep checking in at different points.
In social work, for example, if we wanted to study how mental health changes after a traumatic event, we could survey the same group of people right after the event, then again 6 months later, and maybe a year after that. This way, we can observe patterns, changes, and long-term impacts, not just a one-time view.”
