Publisher: Van Schaik
Description: 17x25x3; 436 pages;
Language: English
Price: Approximately R180.00
ISBN: 0 627 021735

Physical characteristics:

The standard of publication is generally high. Accessible style - many blocks, tables and figures are interspersed throughout the text. The material is easy to read. A comprehensive reference list is present at the end of each chapter as well as an index at the end of the book.

Internal layout of book:

The book consists of 27 chapters arranged into 4 sections (A-D).

The book starts with an overview of research in the caring professions as Social Science research. It deals with the nature of research in the caring professions and ethical aspects of research in the caring professions. It also provides a comprehensive introduction to the research process, by introducing a detailed account of selection of a researchable topic, problem formulation, general introduction to research design, data collection methods and data analysis, as well as writing the research proposal. The methods are taught through practical and resent examples of research in the field.

A very valuable section on combining quantitative and qualitative perspectives in professional research forms the last section of the book. Issues like programme evaluation, intervention research, participatory action research and writing the research report is dealt with in an in depth manner. Social workers tend to see programme evaluation as part of their job and not as a research project in its own right - the same goes for intervention research. In this section researchers/social workers are encouraged to view and approach their practice as a research project.

A valuable section could have been added and that is the discussion of the use of software like SPSS, AtlasTI and Nvivo.

The book was published in 1998 and a second impression was made in 2000, which make it contemporary and very relevant.

Key areas emphasized are the difference between qualitative and quantitative research, combining the 2 methods and focusing on research in the caring professions.

Comments on the suitability/experience/qualifications of the text's author.

The editor, Prof. A.S. (Annemie) de Vos retired from the Department of Social Work, Rand Afrikaans University, Johannesburg, South Africa in 1993. During the last years of her career she taught Social Work Research exclusively and was study leader to some 40 postgraduate students who completed masters and doctoral studies under her guidance, covering a wide variety of research topics. She published more than 30 articles in national professional journals and was founder-editor of the South African professional journal The Social Work Practitioner- Researcher.

Prof. C.B. (Christa) Fouche, at present Head of the Department of Social Work at the Rand Afrikaans University, teaches research courses to undergraduate and postgraduate students in Social work and in the Department of Human resource Development. She has supervised research projects for numerous postgraduate students, and has presented research-related papers at national and international conferences. She has published widely in professional journals. Prof. Fouche is also involved in both urban and rural community activities and research projects in the field of child sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS in association with international partners.

Prof. M. (Marie) Poggenpoel is Professor of Nursing Science at the Rand Afrikaans University. She is co-ordinator for the Clinical Masters Programme in Psychiatric Nursing Science and the Ph.D.- Nursing Programme in Research Methodology. Numerous Masters and Ph.D.-students have completed their research under her supervision. She presents papers on national and international level. Prof. Poggenpoel serves on the Board of International Directors of the International Institute for Qualitative Research Methodology situated at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Prof. H. (Herman) Strydom is Professor of Social Work at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. He teaches Social Work Research at the University, and has supervised numerous postgraduate students. He publishes widely, has delivered numerous papers at national and international conferences and received an impressive number of grants and awards for his work in the fields of multicultural training, the aged and HIV/AIDS.

Dr. W.J. (Willem) and Mrs. E.M. (Evanthe) Schurink are a well- known husband-and-wife-team of Senior Researchers who have done pioneering qualitative research in the fields of Sociology, Criminology and Social Work at the Human Sciences Research Council over the past two decades. They are especially known for their seminal research in the fields of homosexuality, commercial sex workers and imprisonment.

Coverage

a) Extent to which the various stages of the research process are covered

The various stages of the research process are covered extensively. The research process from both a quantitative- and qualitative approach is dealt with in 2 separate sections.

Issues like the nature of research in the caring professions, ethical aspects of research and writing the research proposal are also covered in Section A.

It is written in such a way that the material continually moves from techniques and examples to broader discussions, which helps to de-mystify the terminology.

b) Coverage in terms of disciplines relevance to South Africa etc.

The purpose of the book as described in the introduction is to meet a long-felt need among South African Social Work researchers for an indigenous methodology text, better suited to the South African situation than those sources, especially from the United States of America, on which is largely depended in the past.

The book meets the needs of the novice social work researcher who is normally introduced to research theory and methodology in 3rd or 4th year of undergraduate studies. Furthermore the book's aim to initiate the undergraduate researcher into the fundamentals of practical research are achieved without a doubt, thus serving as an aid for the undergraduate in getting to grips with his own research project.

The needs of the postgraduate researcher are also addressed, because other issues than that found usually in other research methodology textbooks are covered, for example: Programme evaluation and how that links with social work research.

The book approaches research from the context of social work, which makes it stand apart from many other text produced in research methodology over the years. However this does not exclude the book from being used by other researchers in the caring profession for e.g. nursing.

Methods that are explained in the text are considered in relation to social work practice and research, and the reader/student can begin to understand and appreciate how the research methodologies fit into the discipline of social work as a whole.

c) Evaluation of these coverages

Key areas emphasized are the difference between qualitative and quantitative research, combining the 2 methods and focusing on research in the caring professions. The text exposes students to the implicit logic of different kinds of method, in addition to teaching a diverse set of research technologies. Another strength of the text is the unbiased manner in which qualitative and quantitative methods are considered.

The chapter on the nature of research in the caring professions provides insight into functions of research for the caring professions as well as the goals and objectives in professional research.

Since human beings are the objects of study in the social sciences, this brings its own unique ethical problems to the fore, which would never be relevant in the pure, clinical laboratory settings of the natural sciences. The question of ethical decision making is addressed in a responsible manner.

One of the biggest assets of this book is that it actually makes an interesting read, and stimulates critical thinking. The reader is motivated and energized to start their own research, and to see the relevance of research methodology in their lives and practices.

Aims and target audience

The text would be useful to students in the social sciences and humanities but particularly to social work students from 3rd year level up to postgraduate level, and students that conduct research within this discipline. It is an accessible and comprehensive text and provides excellent foundation for research methods in the social sciences.

It deals with both quantitative and qualitative methods separately but links both methods to the research process and how the research process differs from each approach. The research process is placed in context - and the different steps in qualitative- and quantitative research is described thoroughly. This gives and excellent overview of the research process in each of the 2 methodologies.

This is the kind of book I wish I had had as an undergraduate student and one I'm glad I have on my bookshelf as a postgraduate.

Readability of text

The breadth of coverage within each chapter is remarkable, and the text as a whole provides a thorough introduction to social research. The chapters are subdivided into first and second level subheadings that appear in the content pages. Boxes are used to summarize and consolidate information.

The examples in the text are clear and relevant and so provide the reader with an insight into how these methods could be applied in practice.

Reviewer's experience (where relevant) of teaching with the text.

I have used the book extensively in preparing and conducting workshops regarding Proposal Development on Post-graduate level with women researchers, and also in evaluating proposals submitted for the Women-in-Research Award.

I have recommended the use of the book to all participants at various Proposal Development Workshops conducted at Higher Education Institutions across the country.

Appropriate level for use of text

I can strongly recommend that this text be prescribed widely across disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, specifically the caring professions like social work, nursing, psychology etc. for students from 3rd year up to postgraduate level.

Overall assessment of the text

In summary the book has met its own goals of providing a comprehensive and up to date insight into quantitative & qualitative research complete with reflections to social work practice and theoretical foundations. Technically, this is a good research methods textbook, which is very appropriate for the humanities and social science research community in South Africa and abroad.