Practice research methods in social work: Processes, applications and implications for social service organisations

Although social work research is commonly rooted within social service settings, it can be difficult for social work researchers and practitioners to develop and sustain participatory studies that specifically promote knowledge sharing and service improvement involving organisational practice. One participatory approach is practice research (PR), which involves social work researchers and practitioners collaborating to define, understand and try to improve the delivery of health and social care services and organisational structures and processes. The two goals of this commentary are to introduce essential methods and approaches to PR and to identify points of connection involving PR and social service organisational studies. Our specific focus on PR in statutory, voluntary and private social service organisations reflects efforts to connect practice, theory and qualitative and quantitative research methods to develop and share organisationally-situated knowledge. Practice research (PR) occurs when social work researchers and practitioners work together to improve how social service organisations structure and deliver care. Our article describes how to successfully implement a PR approach in social work agency settings. We identify ways to help managers, front line staff and service users recognise their different roles and interests within social service organisations. We also explain how practice researchers and agency partners collaboratively seek to support learning and promote knowledge sharing. After we provide a review of major frameworks and common processes of PR, we offer examples of PR studies in different types of social service organisations, and conclude with recommendations for co-facilitating PR studies.