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Abstract
This article summarises the experiences of a research orientated project seminar at a university of applied sciences in East Germany. The impact of courses of study on the professional self concept of social workers is investigated by students who are undertaking a longitudinal qualitative interview research project. Firstly, the results of the interpretation stress the perspective of students who are employees in social work as addressees of the programme. Secondly, the relevance of qualitative research methods and hermeneutic skills for social work training are pointed out in the described ‘project studies’.
In diesem Artikel werden Erfahrungen aus einem forschungsorientierten Projektseminar einer ostdeutschen Fachhochschule vorgestellt: Studierende untersuchen den Einfluss des berufsbegleitenden Studiums auf das professionelle Selbstverständnis von SozialarbeiterInnen in einer qualitativen Längsschnitt-Interviewstudie. Im ersten Schritt werden die Interpretationsergebnisse vorgestellt, daran anschließend wird die Bedeutung von qualitativen Forschungsmethoden und hermeneutischem Verstehen für die Ausbildung Sozialer Arbeit zusammengefasst.
Notes
1. Qualitative research about the impact of social work courses of study in West Germany showed that from the perspective of social work practitioners professionalism was built in social work practice.
2. In October 2004 a new cohort of five first semester students was also interviewed.
3. Similar patterns are already obvious in the ‘Leipzig-group’ and will be elaborated soon.
4. Up to one third of the students in our department change their work place after the diploma. Most of them are looking for better working conditions and professionalised social work.