Building capacity for social care research – ways of improving research skills for social workers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Recent literature in social work/care continues to highlight limited levels of research involvement by practitioners coupled with low confidence and knowledge of research skills. This article reports on findings from a study to develop a better understanding of the challenges of building capacity to undertake social care research in the South of England and opportunities for building research engagement and capacity. It focuses on research skill gaps identified in current training pathways and qualification routes from the perspective of practitioners working in social care. A qualitative approach was undertaken. Participants were practitioners working in local authority social service departments. Participants completed an online questionnaire (n = 22), with a subsample (n = 6) being interviewed. A semi-structured interview schedule collected positive and negative views of research experiences and of using research evidence. Logistical and research skill enablers and research skill barriers were extracted as themes from the data and are described. The authors then discuss possible initiatives that might assist in helping to improve social work practitioner research skills and embedding research into practice.