Implementing Rigorous Survey Methodology within Contexts of Social Work Education, Training and Practice: A Case Study in Substance Use

Abstract

With the integration of evidence-based practice central to all areas of social work education and training across the globe, it is crucial that we continue to engage with the methodological challenges inherent in gathering this evidence, particularly when it is related to the nature of social work education itself. As a result, this paper addresses some of the methodological challenges involved in examining the education available to social workers on engaging with substance use, both within the social work academy and local authorities in England. Drawing on experiences of implementing large scale online surveys from three substantial research projects completed by the authors, this paper highlights four methodological themes: (1) Constructing a representative sampling frame; (2) Identifying participants within organisations with many departments; (3) Response rates; and (4) Questionnaire design. While these are familiar methodological considerations, this article draws attention to the specific complexities of gathering ‘representative’ knowledge to inform educational strategies on substance use within social work education and employment contexts. Finally this paper offers lessons learned and guidance for social work academics, students and practitioners who are minded to build, or draw from, an evidence-base using representative samples from and within these environments.

Keywords::

• Social Work Research
• Survey Methodology
• Substance Use
• Workforce Development
• Teaching Research Methods

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the Tilda Goldberg Charitable Trust and Alcohol Research UK for funding the research projects outlined in the article. We also acknowledge all the many practitioners and educators who responded to our survey invites and the support we had from our professional advisory groups.

Notes

^[1] The GSCC was a non-governmental body within the Department of Health in England which regulated the social work profession from 2001 to 2012. Regulation now sits with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).