Research: Is a scientific approach to answering questions about the
social world designed to reduce potential sources of bias in everyday
reasoning? It uses a set of logical, systematic and documented methods
for investigation. It allows others to inspect and evaluate the methods used
and the evidence produced by the investigation.
Social work and social care: "Social work is a practice-based profession
and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development,
social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles
of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for
diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social
work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work
engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance
wellbeing. The above definition may be amplified at national and/or
regional levels." (IFSW, 2014)
This strategy is primarily focussed on research within social work but with
an acknowledgement that social work operates within the wider social
care context and that there will inevitably be a level of interconnection
between both.
Qualitative research: Includes participant observations, focus groups and
interviews designed to capture views. Qualitative data are words, pictures
or drawings. They do not have a direct numeric interpretation. Its focus is
on understanding the lived experiences of people and the meanings that
people give to those experiences.
Quantitative research: Includes surveys and experiments that record
changes and variations. Data that is quantitative is either numbers or
attributes that can be ordered in terms of size or magnitude.
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