• The research practitioner
• Why learn about research?
• The raw materials
• The scientific method
• Starting points
• Assessing ethical issues
• Negotiating access
• Protecting researchers
• Research tools

The research practitioner

This module is not a guide to learning about research methods, but social work and social care practice offer rich opportunities for action research. Learning more about how to do research offers the advantages of:

• Increasing awareness of the importance and limitations of research - it helps you become more research minded
  
• Using opportunities within your practice for 'action research' and developing your skills as a research practitioner can help you become a more aware practitioner and contribute to the knowledge base of others in your agency and elsewhere.

There are many publications and guides to learning about doing research in social care settings, some of which are included in the references.

In this section we have included some of the basics that touch on practical and theoretical issues involved in doing research.