Megatrend Revija (Jan 2015)
Action research in the field of social work
Abstract
In social work studies, emerged the idea of a difference between the so-called traditionalistic and actionalistic methodology, and so-called traditional and action research, based primarily on a different understanding of the aims of research. According to the representatives, of the so-called actionalistic methodology, action research in social work should be a supporting instrument of social action, whose role is to direct and orient that action. The main purpose of action research in social work is to serve as an instrument, a medium to solving people's problems. This means that every action research must have a detailed plan of action, implementation and evaluation of the effects of research. Action research in social work can be divided according to several criteria. The standard classification comprises: 1) action research focused on various situations of 'expressed social needs', 2) action research directed at providing social help i.e. expert research. The more relevant classification of action research in social work is as follows: a) scientific methodological research, which can be diagnostic and prognostic research and expert research and b) methodical research, which can be therapy action research and expert action research. The aim of action research in social work is to alter the situation being researched, not only from the standpoint of society i.e. the social worker, but also from the standpoint of the client in trouble.
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