In your Research Methods for Social Work: Being Producers and Consumers of Research (Updated Edition) text, read Chapter 3, "Research Ethics and Social Work's Mandates," pages 36-58.
In your Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches text, read Chapter 3, "Ethics in Social Research," pages 52-71.
In the Capella library, read "Why Action Research?"
On the Internet, read the "NASW Code of Ethics."
Alternative Approaches to Social Research Studies and Research Ethics
INTRODUCTION
Beyond general descriptions of research philosophies involving inductive and deductive thinking or quantitative and qualitative methodologies are other variations in how research is conducted. Some researchers apply unique epistemological perspectives to shape their research studies (Dudley, 2011). Theories combined with personal and professional values and viewpoints guide the development of the research plan. Some of these approaches are new, while others are becoming more mainstream. Social workers use "specialized perspectives" such as action research (AR), feminist research, ethnographic research, phenomenological research, and afrocentric research (Dudley, 2011).
Looking ahead, Capella University doctoral social work students are required to conduct action research dissertation studies. This is so because the action research approach to conducting studies is closely aligned with social workers' professional roles, mandates, and the Code of Ethics (NASW, 2008). Social workers are expected to adhere to a core set of professional values that include "service, social justice, dignity, and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence" (NASW, 2008). These values are also characteristic of the AR philosophical framework.
OBJECTIVES
To successfully complete this learning unit, you will be expected to:
Describe several alternative approaches to social research, such as ethnographic, phenomenological, or action research.
Identify and describe four important types of action research.
Explain the ethical concerns that all researchers must address.
Describe the parallels between the NASW Code of Ethics and research ethics.
Study 1
Studies
Readings
Complete the following:
In your Research Methods for Social Work: Being Producers and Consumers of Research (Updated Edition) text, read Chapter 3, "Research Ethics and Social Work's Mandates," pages 36-58.
In your Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches text, read Chapter 3, "Ethics in Social Research," pages 52-71.
In the Capella library, read "Why Action Research?"
On the Internet, read the "NASW Code of Ethics."
Discussion 1
Choosing an Action Research Approach
Based on what you have read and your proposed research study, can you identify a form of AR that could address your identified research problem and produce actionable recommendations to ameliorate it? If so, which form would you select? If not, then why?
Response Guidelines
Evaluate one learner's discussion post based on your understanding of AR and its different forms. If you are in agreement with his or her post, explain why. If you have a different view of the matter, explain what the view is and why.
Make your post by Thursday of this week. Respond to at least one other learner by Sunday.
Reference
Dudley, J. R. (2011). Research methods for social work: Being producers and consumers of research (updated edition) (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Discussion 2
Ethical Considerations
After reading the NASW Code of Ethics and Dudley's thoughts regarding social work values and ethics and their relationship with social research ethical standards, what kinds of ethical considerations are you going to need to address in your proposed study? Give concrete examples and describe how you will address the issues.
Response Guidelines
Respond to one learner by assessing his or her description of the ethical considerations the learner plans on addressing in his or her proposed studies. How do the learner's ethical concerns compare to those that you will need to address? What are the similarities and differences in this regard?