Articles

The Nature of Social Work Research by Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences : An Overview

Authors:

Martine Ganzevles
Email Martine Ganzevles
Daan Andriessen
Wilke Van Beest
Tine Van Regenmortel
Jaap Van Weeghel

Martine Ganzevles, HU University of Applied Science Utrecht, Netherlands
Martine Ganzevles MSc is doctoral candidate at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht - Research Group of Practice-based Research and Tilburg University - Tranzo, Academic Collaborative Centre Social Work. She is also lecturing at the HU Institute for Social Work with focus on Social Work in mental health care. Martine is convenor of the special interest group Social Work Practice Research at the European Social Work Research Association (ESWRA).
Daan Andriessen, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Netherlands
Daan Andriessen PhD is professor at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht - Research group of Practice-based Research. His research interests focuses on improving the impact of practice-based research through methodological innovation.
Wilke Van Beest, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Netherlands
Wilke Van Beest MSc is doctoral candidate at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht - Research Group of Practice-based Research and Utrecht University, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. Her focus is on transferring practice-based research into practice.
Tine Van Regenmortel, Tilburg University, Tranzo - Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Netherlands
Tine Van Regenmortel PhD is professor at Tilburg University, Tranzo - Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Academic Collaborative Centre Social Work, the Netherlands; and University of Leuven, Faculty of Social Sciences – HIVA, Belgium. Her research focuses on empowerment, social inclusion and well-being.
Jaap Van Weeghel, Tilburg University, Tranzo - Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Netherlands
Jaap Van Weeghel PhD is Head Research and Development in mental health organisation Dijk en Duin (part of the Parnassia Bavo Groep), Castricum, the Netherlands - Scientific director of Phrenos, centre of expertise on the treatment, rehabilitation and recovery of people with severe mental illness in the Netherlands, and Professor at Tilburg University, Tranzo - Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Academic Collaborative Center Mental Health Care.

Abstract

The knowledge base for Social Work is strengthening. Underpinning of Social Work deriving from scientific research is necessary given the growing complexity of the work and its context. How this research should be conducted and to what type of outcomes it must lead, is part of an ongoing debate. In the Netherlands, practice-based research at Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) is a relative new approach. Social Work research groups at UAS assert to conduct practice-based research in order to contribute to knowledge and support the objectives of Social Work. The current study was carried out to obtain insight into the characteristics of this research approach. A sample of publications was analysed in terms of knowledge purpose, methodology, and level and type of participation. Results show a strong focus on producing descriptive knowledge and to a lesser extent on control knowledge, using primarily qualitative research methods, and with limited direct participation by stakeholders. In order to practice more what they preach the research can strengthen by doing more empirical research, by diversifying the research in terms of design and methods and increasing the level of participation of stakeholders.

Keywords:

Social Work research practice-based research social work theory body of knowledge

Year: 2020
Volume: 29 Issue: 1
Page/Article: 41-61
DOI: 10.18352/jsi.616

Published on 21 Feb 2020

Peer Reviewed