How Academic Social Workers Negotiate Their Direct Practice Skills and Qualitative Research Techniques

Area of Science:

• Social Work Research
• Qualitative Methodologies

Background:

• The social work field emphasizes integrating direct practice skills with qualitative research techniques.
• Recent empirical examination of this relationship and its training implications is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically assess the relationship between social work practice and qualitative research skills.
• To identify opportunities for enhancing professional training in social work research.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving semistructured interviews with 20 academic social workers.
• Analysis guided by autoethnography and constructivist grounded theory.

Main Results:

• Identified three key themes: transferable techniques, bidirectional benefits, and pedagogical possibilities.
• Highlighted the importance of reflexivity and boundaries in qualitative data collection.
• Demonstrated the reciprocal benefits of qualitative research for both social workers and participants.

Conclusions:

• Findings inform the development of ethically sound training guidelines aligned with social work values.
• Suggests innovative enrichment opportunities for social work practice and research.
• Underscores the value of integrating research and practice skills for professional development.