Toward a Values-Based Approach to Multicultural Social Work Research

Abstract

An approach to multicultural social work research that is and is being developed by the authors and other faculty and doctoral students affiliated with the Multicultural Research Group at the University of Washington School of Social Work. Members of the group share an interest in the collective creation of models of social work practice, education, and research that reflect a multicultural worldview and a commitment to collaborative work with members of disenfranchised communities - that is, groups in the United States that experience economic, social, and political disadvantage or discrimination. In particular, the authors share a commitment to working with communities of color, women, gay men and lesbians, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. We believe that too many models of social science research replay and reinforce the theme of disenfranchisement, providing little opportunity for community members to shape research questions, claim ownership of data, develop findings and implications for action, and hone their own critical inquiry skills. The approach discussed in this article reflects the research group's ongoing dialogue on multicultural social work research, practice, and education. It represents a work in progress. An invitation to join a panel on research and diversity at the Council on Social Work Education's 1995 Annual Planning Meeting was the impetus for clarifying and consolidating our current thoughts on multicultural research. We accepted the invitation as an opportunity to struggle with the following questions: What is multicultural social work research? And what are the benefits and challenges associated with teaching, learning, and doing it? The article represents a response to these questions and an invitation to other social welfare researchers to ponder these and related questions individually and collectively. Definition of Multicultural Social Work Research Multicultural social work research should meet three general criteria: (1) It should involve the researcher in a constant of both private and public reflection on a range of issues critically affecting collaboration - from how her or his own biases and motives affect the research to the impact of the larger political economy on the sociocultural history of disadvantaged groups; (2) it should democratize the research process, supporting a continuous of community collaboration rather than token representation of community members in limited advisory roles; and (3) its objectives should be linked to community empowerment, social justice, and social transformation goals. The centrality of empowerment with respect to both the and aims of research differentiates the group's approach from other applied social work research models that also emphasize cooperation with and direct benefits to communities (for example, the Design and Development Model; Rothman & Thomas, 1994). Although redressing the power imbalance between researcher and community participant is an optional feature under other applied models, it is a defining characteristic or parameter of the approach we describe in this article. Our approach is values based because it draws on fundamental undergirding the profession and practice of social work: social justice, equality, self-determination, and empowerment. It is process oriented for two reasons: First, we assume that no single act or set of finite acts performed on research makes it multicultural; instead, reflection and collaboration must become organic to every part of the research (Rogler, 1989). Second, we place trust in the assumption that a of critically reflective and collaborative inquiry can lead to social transformation. The Ultimate Goal: Social Transformation The social work of justice, equality, and empowerment are currently given strong voice in the concept of multiculturalism. …