The Importance of Research

Research informs practice. In order to be effective at what you do you as a Social Worker (Clinical or otherwise), you need to understand research and how it is used in Practice. Social work is a discipline that values the importance of using “Evidence Based Practice” in our field. The researched based interventions are implemented in the services we provide. It speaks to the efficacy of the interventions and what it is best suited to treat. EBP such as:


Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Mindfulness
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
EMDR
Relational Therapy
Client Centered
Solution focused
Emotion Focused Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Trauma Focused CBT
Psychoanalysis
Motivational Interview
Dialectical Behavior Therapy


All of these EBPs have been research, tested and produced results to show it’s effectiveness. Now granted, It is your job as the professional to do the research, and to identify which treatment modality and interventions best fit the needs of your individual client. How can you meet their need if you’re “Generalizing” their treatment plan, and using an intervention that may not be what’s best for their SPECIFIC NEED?


We must stop using interventions simply because the organization use this interventions. We use the interventions that speaks to the need of the individual client. The mark of a good worker will take the extra step to do the work, to identify the appropriate interventions and implement them accordingly, or refer out to a professional that may be able to better address their need.


Now, keep in mind, conducting an actual research study is probably something you will not have to do, but reading it, doing literature reviews and understanding the methods used and results are necessary.


Don’t fear Research, It is your friend!


Test Taking Tip:
Now when it comes to the exam, the questions are shuffled, it could have multiple questions on research or it may not, no one knows. It could be the difference between you passing or failing. I understand how complex it could be, but it is necessary to understand post licensing and for daily practice purposes


For the exam know the basics:


Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Constructs
Operationalization
Conceptualization
Hypothesis/Null Hypothesis
Thesis Statement
Types of research designs
Research question
Validity
Reliability
Quantitative
Qualitative


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