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Volume :37 Issue : 3 2009
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Qualitative Research and Clinical Social Work
Auther : Mohammed M. Al-Garni
The rapid concern of qualitative research methods in the helping professions practice has been marked due to their effectiveness in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to attain desirable change. Case studies, focus groups, grounded theory, and content analysis are among qualitative methods focused on understanding social phenomena. The unique characteristics of social phenomena and how the researcher relates to them thoughtfully, behaviorally, and psychologically entail using appropriate research methods that are relevant to the nature of this relationship and that achieve objectivity when studying human behaviors. This study tries to discuss the similarities and differences between qualitative research methods and clinical social work based on goals, assumptions, methods, and researcher roles. The findings of the study showed the necessity of using qualitative research in clinical social work practice to ensure the effectiveness of outcomes. In addition, the study offers some suggestions about how to activate them using qualitative research in social work practice.
Key words: Qualitative research, Clinical social work