Key Qualitative Methodologies in Social Work

Qualitative Research for Social Work

Qualitative Research: Special Features (p. 1)

Characteristics of Qualitative Research

• Overall Concept of Research (pp. 1-2)
• Researcher-Researched Relationship (p. 2)
• Samples (p. 2)
• Fieldwork (p. 2)
• Data Analysis (p. 2)
• Weaknesses of Qualitative Research (p. 2)

Traditions in Qualitative Research (p. 2)

• Symbolic Interactionism (p. 3)
• Ethnomethodology (pp. 3-4)
• Structuralism (p. 4)

The Contribution of Goffman (p. 4)

Qualitative Research and Social Work (pp. 4-6)

Participant Observation

Participant Observation in Research Practices (p. 7)

• Definition and Genesis of Participant Observation (pp. 7-8)
• Reflections on Participant Observation Characteristics (pp. 8-9)

Observational Research Designs (p. 9)

• Selection of Scenarios (pp. 10-11)

Dynamics of Participant Observation

• Access to Fieldwork (pp. 11-12)
• Coexistence and Social Relations in the Field (p. 12)
• Information to Register (p. 12)
• Registering Observations (pp. 12-13)

Analysis of Observations (p. 14)

Potential and Caveats in Observation Practice (pp. 14-15)

The Qualitative Interview

The Interview's Place in Research Practices (pp. 15-18)

Types of Interviews (p. 18)

• Contact Interviews (pp. 18-20)
• Advisory Interviews (p. 20)
• Historical Interviews (Past Events) (pp. 20-21)
• Testimonial Interviews (p. 21)
• Discovery Interviews (pp. 21-22)
• Interviews on Habits and Practices (p. 22)
• Group Interviews (Focus Groups) (p. 22)

Dynamics of the Interview (p. 22)

• The Interview Situation (p. 23)
• The Role of the Interviewer (p. 23)
• Interview Script/Guide (pp. 24-25)
• Interview Strategies (pp. 25-26)
• Interview Research Design (pp. 26-28)
• Advantages and Disadvantages of In-depth Interviews (pp. 28-29)

Discussion Groups

Importance of Group Behavior (pp. 30-31)

• The Research Group's Discovery (pp. 31-33)
• Discussion Groups: Definition and Application Fields (pp. 33-34)

Group Discussion Techniques (p. 34)

• Research Design for Groups (p. 34)
• Session Preparation (p. 34)
• Member Recruitment (pp. 34-35)
• Participation Agreement (p. 35)
• Room Design (p. 35)
• Group Dynamics: Script and Moderation (p. 35)
• Moderator Interventions (p. 35)
• Stages of Group Conduct (p. 36)

Transcription and Analysis of Discussion Groups

• Preparation of Text for Analysis (p. 36)