According to A. Rubin, “Qualitative interviews with administrators, practitioners, and clients can also help the identification of such characteristics, as can the examination of agency documents and case records. Although none of the studies could directly imply that in any particular setting the RST was the cause of the particular outcome, the studies as a whole would provide a database for inductively identifying the conditions under which a particular RST for a particular target population is associated with desirable and undesirable outcomes” (Rubin, p. 225-226). This learner was amazed at the large need for scientific research. Research is required in order to bring change to documents, as well as, rating effectiveness of services provided by agencies, and prove theories in research. In addition, this learner was surprised to hear the field instructor refer to the need of a survey in the agency where she is interning, in order to rate the effectiveness of the services being provided. In conclusion, scientific method is important in social work because it highlights objectivity when seeking and observing evidence, so that human bias is minimized.
Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2013). Essential Research Methods of Social Work. Belmont: Brooks/Cole.
Rubin, A. (2014). Bridging the Gap between Research-Supported Interventions and Everyday Social Work Practice: A New Approach.Social Work, 59(3), 223-230.
Written By,
Carmen Lopez
Social Work Learner
Tarleton State University