Social Work Constructivist Research

by O'Connor,Mary Katherine

• ISBN13: 9780815325673
• ISBN10: 0815325673
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1998-07-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This is the first textbook to offer a clear, concise articulation of the dimensions of constructivism relevant to social work practice and research. Professor Rodwell recognizes the need to systematize a process of knowledge building and presents specific techniques to accomplish that while maintaining an interpretative stance with the focus on meaning. Social work students will see that their basic way of engaging clients in an assessment and problem-solving process is very much in keeping with constructivist research practice. In addition to delineating the philosophical assumptions of constructivism, this very practical text is geared to classroom use, with chapters on research design, rigor, data collection, data analysis, research oversight, and presentation of results. Social Work Constructivist Research is divided into four sections that, together, should give the reader the intellectual and practical background necessary to understand and undertake rigorous constructivist inquiry. The structureof this textbook is intended to provide the reader with sufficient information to competently confront all the design, implementation, and reporting elements of a constructivist inquiry process. At the completion of all sections, readers will know how the assumptions of constructivism differ from mainstream research primarily characterized by positivism or post-positivism. Readers will know how rigor expectations for research methods derived from different assumptions also differ. They will know how to: determine the feasibility of undertaking a constructivist inquiry, when, and where it is possible; manage an emergent design; and establish the trustworthiness and authenticity dimensions of a rigorous research effort. For those interested in constructivist research and its relevancy to social work, this book will prove to be a necessary resource.

Author Biography

Mary K. Rodwell is an associate professor of social work at Virginia Commonwealth University

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Acknowledgments	xvii
SECTION I Thinking about Constructivism	1	(48)
The Social Worker's Introduction to Constructivist Research	3	(22)
Chapter Contents in Brief	3	(1)
Social Work Practice and Constructivist Inquiry	4	(6)
Practice Principles	8	(2)
Constructivism in Context: The Epistemological Debate in Social Work	10	(2)
Positivist and Interpretive Paradigms Compared	12	(6)
The Positivist Position	13	(2)
The Interpretive Position	15	(3)
The Theoretical Elements: Constructivism or Constructionism	18	(3)
Linkage to Constructivist Research	20	(1)
The Challenges for Constructivist Research in Social Work	21	(2)
Discussion Questions	23	(2)
Planning a Constructivist Study	25	(24)
Chapter Contents in Brief	25	(1)
A Detailed Look at Constructivist Research Assumptions	26	(9)
Constructed Realities	26	(2)
Inquirer/Participant Relationship	28	(3)
Generalization	31	(1)
Causality	32	(1)
Values in Research	33	(2)
Constructivist Research Methods	35	(2)
Constructivist Focus, Fit, and Feasibility	37	(9)
Determining the Focus	38	(2)
Determining the Fit of the Paradigm with the Inquiry Question	40	(2)
Determining the Paradigm Fit with the Theory Selected to Guide the Inquiry	42	(1)
Determining the Feasibility of Undertaking a Constructivist Inquiry	43	(3)
Discussion Questions	46	(3)
SECTION II Doing Constructivist Research	49	(122)
Designing Constructivist Research	51	(26)
Chapter Contents in Brief	51	(3)
Constructivist Methods	54	(7)
Entry	55	(1)
Research Design	56	(1)
Data Collection	57	(1)
Data Analysis	58	(1)
Rigor	59	(1)
Inquiry Product	60	(1)
Determining the Phases of the Inquiry	61	(4)
Orientation and Overview---Phase I	61	(2)
Focused Exploration---Phase II	63	(1)
Comprehensive Member Check---Phase III	64	(1)
Determining Data Sources for Maximum Information	65	(5)
Identifying Stakeholders and Selecting Participants	66	(3)
Other Data Sources	69	(1)
Planning Data Collection and Recording	70	(2)
Planning the Logistics	72	(3)
Timing	72	(2)
Proposals	74	(1)
Human Subjects Review	74	(1)
Discussion Questions	75	(2)
Intervention in Constructivist Inquiry	77	(18)
Chapter Contents in Brief	77	(2)
Praxis and Research	79	(2)
Constructivist Research As Intervention: The Hermeneutic Circle	81	(5)
Definition	81	(3)
Essential Elements	84	(1)
Methods	85	(1)
Role of the Researcher	86	(1)
Assuring Quality of the Hermeneutic Process	86	(4)
Researcher's Responsibilities, Social Work Values, and the Research Intervention	87	(3)
Researcher As Research Instrument	90	(4)
Natural Characteristics	90	(1)
Acquired Skills	91	(2)
Distinctive Features of a Constructivist Inquirer	93	(1)
Discussion Questions	94	(1)
Rigor in Constructivist Research	95	(22)
Chapter Contents in Brief	95	(1)
Two Dimensions of Constructivist Rigor	96	(1)
Aspects of Trustworthiness	97	(5)
Credibility	98	(1)
Dependability	99	(1)
Confirmability	100	(1)
Transferability	101	(1)
Establishing Trustworthiness	102	(4)
Maintaining Confidentiality and Rigor Protections	102	(2)
Maintaining Field Journals	104	(2)
Developing and Maintaining the Audit Trail	106	(1)
Dimensions of Authenticity	106	(4)
Fairness	107	(1)
Ontological Authenticity	108	(1)
Educative Authenticity	108	(1)
Catalytic Authenticity	109	(1)
Tactical Authenticity	110	(1)
Establishing Authenticity	110	(5)
Elements Redundant with Trustworthiness	110	(1)
Newly Emerging Mechanisms	111	(4)
Discussion Questions	115	(2)
Constructivist Data Collection	117	(30)
Chapter Contents in Brief	117	(1)
Determining the Instrumentation	118	(4)
Foreshadowed Questions and Context Imbeddedness	118	(1)
Accessing Data	119	(1)
Determining Focus and Structure	120	(1)
Using Standardized Instruments	121	(1)
Data Collection	122	(10)
The Interview	122	(4)
Nonverbal Data and Focused Observation	126	(2)
Focus Groups	128	(2)
On-line Data Collection	130	(1)
Nonhuman Data Sources	131	(1)
Methods of Data Enhancement	131	(1)
The Role and Use of Tacit Knowledge	132	(1)
In Data Collection	132	(1)
In Reflexivity	133	(1)
Recording and Storage of Data	133	(10)
Journals	134	(9)
Archiving	143	(1)
Data Collection Links to Direct Social Work Practice	143	(2)
Discussion Questions	145	(2)
Constructivist Data Analysis	147	(24)
Chapter Contents in Brief	147	(1)
Planning the Ongoing Data Analysis throughout the Inquiry	148	(14)
Foreshadowed Questions That Grow into Working Hypotheses	148	(4)
Emerging Themes for Persistent Observation	152	(2)
Unitizing and Categorizing for Grounded Theory Building	154	(8)
Allowing Theory to Grow from the Data	162	(2)
Negotiating the Result of Data Analysis	164	(2)
Constructivist Data Analysis Skills and Social Work	166	(1)
Discussion Questions	167	(4)
SECTION III The Results of Constructivist Inquiry	171	(56)
Presenting Constructivist Research Results	173	(20)
Chapter Contents in Brief	173	(1)
The Process of Creating the Case Study Report	173	(10)
Sources for the Provisional Outline	176	(2)
Grounding in Data and Idiographic Interpretations	178	(2)
Content	180	(3)
Criteria for Assessing the Quality of the Final Report	183	(6)
Peer Reviewer Assessment	183	(1)
Participant Assessment	184	(2)
Auditor Assessment	186	(2)
Reader Assessment	188	(1)
Thick Descriptions and the Responsibility of the Reader	189	(1)
The Challenges of Creating a Holistic Report	190	(2)
Discussion Questions	192	(1)
Peer Debriefing, Peer Review, and the Audit	193	(20)
Chapter Contents in Brief	193	(1)
Peer Review and Debriefing	194	(5)
The Tasks of Peer Review	196	(3)
Auditing	199	(10)
The Audit Process	199	(9)
Tasks of the Auditor	208	(1)
Future Challenges	209	(2)
Discussion Questions	211	(2)
Challenges for the Future of Constructivist Research in Social Work	213	(14)
Chapter Contents in Brief	213	(2)
The Central Role of the Hermeneutic Process	215	(1)
Managing Paradoxes	216	(1)
Power and Control in Constructivism	217	(3)
Social Justice and Constructivism Research	220	(1)
Ethics and Relativity in Emergent Research	220	(2)
Other Potential Costs and Benefits with Constructivism	222	(2)
Discussion Questions	224	(3)
SECTION IV A Research Example	227	(26)
An Example of a Constructivist Case Report	229	(24)
One Family's Story	230	(12)
Legal Background: Policy-in-Intent	230	(1)
Mandated Actors' Perspective: Policy-in-Implementation	231	(1)
A Family's Perspective: Policy-in-Experience	232	(1)
The History	233	(3)
The Investigation and Rose's Removal from Home	236	(1)
The Court Process	237	(2)
The Foster Care Experience	239	(3)
Epilogue	242	(1)
Lessons to Be Learned	243	(5)
From the Family	244	(3)
From the System of Protection	247	(1)
Audit Trail Resources	248	(3)
Discussion Questions	251	(2)
Glossary	253	(12)
Further Readings	265	(6)
References	271	(14)
Index	285