The Social Work Practice Research Conundrum

Abstract

Significant research continues to evolve in social work. However, few of these efforts address the factorial complexity of the phenomena that social work addresses. This manuscript deals with those complexities in terms of homogeneous interventions for heterogeneous clients; the intricacies of human behavior change, the comparative differences between behavioral cognitive therapy and medications for clients with depression; concerns regarding the reliability of meta-analysis; innovative practice through electronic strategies; use of factorial design to address the complexities of social work practice research; and the need for concentrated practice. Conclusions offer an example of the solutions to the conundrum of practice research.

KEYWORDS:

• Complexities of research
• human behavior
• statistical techniques
• research designs
• research centers
• evidence-based practice