Articles
The Nature of Social Work Research by Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences : An Overview
Authors:
Martine Ganzevles ,
HU University of Applied Science Utrecht, NL
About Martine
Martine Ganzevles MSc is doctoral candidate at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht - Research Group of Practice-based Research and Tilburg University - Tranzo, Academic Collaborative Centre Social Work. She is also lecturing at the HU Institute for Social Work with focus on Social Work in mental health care. Martine is convenor of the special interest group Social Work Practice Research at the European Social Work Research Association (ESWRA).
Daan Andriessen,
HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, NL
About Daan
Daan Andriessen PhD is professor at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht - Research group of Practice-based Research. His research interests focuses on improving the impact of practice-based research through methodological innovation.
Wilke Van Beest,
HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, NL
About Wilke
Wilke Van Beest MSc is doctoral candidate at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht - Research Group of Practice-based Research and Utrecht University, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. Her focus is on transferring practice-based research into practice.
Tine Van Regenmortel,
Tilburg University, Tranzo - Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, NL
About Tine
Tine Van Regenmortel PhD is professor at Tilburg University, Tranzo - Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Academic Collaborative Centre Social Work, the Netherlands; and University of Leuven, Faculty of Social Sciences – HIVA, Belgium. Her research focuses on empowerment, social inclusion and well-being.
Jaap Van Weeghel
Tilburg University, Tranzo - Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, NL
About Jaap
Jaap Van Weeghel PhD is Head Research and Development in mental health organisation Dijk en Duin (part of the Parnassia Bavo Groep), Castricum, the Netherlands - Scientific director of Phrenos, centre of expertise on the treatment, rehabilitation and recovery of people with severe mental illness in the Netherlands, and Professor at Tilburg University, Tranzo - Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Academic Collaborative Center Mental Health Care.
Abstract
The knowledge base for Social Work is strengthening. Underpinning of Social Work deriving from scientific research is necessary given the growing complexity of the work and its context. How this research should be conducted and to what type of outcomes it must lead, is part of an ongoing debate. In the Netherlands, practice-based research at Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) is a relative new approach. Social Work research groups at UAS assert to conduct practice-based research in order to contribute to knowledge and support the objectives of Social Work. The current study was carried out to obtain insight into the characteristics of this research approach. A sample of publications was analysed in terms of knowledge purpose, methodology, and level and type of participation. Results show a strong focus on producing descriptive knowledge and to a lesser extent on control knowledge, using primarily qualitative research methods, and with limited direct participation by stakeholders. In order to practice more what they preach the research can strengthen by doing more empirical research, by diversifying the research in terms of design and methods and increasing the level of participation of stakeholders.
How to Cite:
Ganzevles, M., Andriessen, D., Van Beest, W., Van Regenmortel, T. and Van Weeghel, J., 2020. The Nature of Social Work Research by Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences : An Overview. Journal of Social Intervention: Theory and Practice, 29(1), pp.41–61. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18352/jsi.616
Published on
21 Feb 2020.
Peer Reviewed
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