Social work research often focuses on qualitative designs and many students believe that the quantitative research pathway is either too complicated or is beyond their grasp. This book outlines how social work students can undertake a research project from either a qualitative, quantitative or mixed methodological approach. The authors introduce key concepts in an accessible and structured manner and go on to demonstrate each of the approaches from inception of research idea, to realisation of methodological approach, to research process, to data analysis and conclusion.

More than just another research text, this book remains grounded in social work practice and has clear links to the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work.

Introduction
Reviewing the literature
Selecting your research method
Sampling techniques in quantitative and qualitative research
Qualitative data gathering
Qualitative data analysis
Introduction to quantitative methods
What does it all mean? Exploring quantitative data analysis
Presenting results and findings
Drawing out the discussion, conclusions and recommendations

Anne Campbell is Lecturer in Social Work at Queens University, Belfast. She is responsible for co-ordinating a Master's programme in Social Work studies and is also involved in teaching social work students at Undergraduate level. She has supervised and mentored a wide range of research students at Undergraduate, Masters and PHD levels over a number of years. She is also involved in developing knowledge-based and interactive e- learning tools for practice, research and social work education. She is currently active in research on drug and alcohol issues within regional and international contexts and online applications for social work practice. Anne is co-director of the drug and alcohol research network at Queens (DARN).