No description available.

No description available.

There is convincing evidence from the literature that social workers are generally not well informed by research findings. The existing understandings of the barriers to instrumental research use are predominately generated from academic perspectives and there are few empirical studies which explore research use in the real and complex world of the social work practice environment. Theoretical knowledge is advanced through this study's development of the concept of research-mindedness as a pre- stage to research-informed practice and the identification of the mechanisms which might trigger the outcome of research-mindedness. Realistic Evaluation (Pawson & Tilley, 1997) was used to determine the mechanisms which might trigger the outcome of research-mindedness i.e. what works for whom, in what context, and why. A two phase mixed methods explanatory sequential design was applied in which primary quantitative data was first collected by a questionnaire (n= 147) and then used to guide the collection of explanatory data from focus groups. The sample was stratified by agency role which enabled the identification and analysis of particular themes from the perspectives of managers, supervisors and practitioners. Key findings were the emergence of new interpretations of the established paradigms relating to the discretionary nature of research acquisition effort, the actions of psychological contracts and conflicting views about the legitimacy of autonomy between managers, supervisors and practitioners. The emergent theory of research- mindedness was applied to the survey data to find that 46.9% of respondents had reported 'very confident' or 'quite confident' in their critical appraisal skills despite limited evidence of research-mindedness in their survey returns. This research generates new understanding of a complex area at the heart of Government policy. The study is of potential benefit to social workers who can use the method to determine their own research-mindedness. It is also of potential value to the social work profession by developing new knowledge about research practice which challenges the previous theories about the mechanisms which trigger research- mindedness. In these ways the study supports better outcomes for social work service users and carers, an aim which is at the core of all social work practice.

No description available.

Thesis (M.A. (Social Work)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / The study aimed at evaluating social work fieldwork practice at the University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus) in relation to theory. The alignment of social work theory and practice is the goal of Social Work profession. Fieldwork practice in social work education forms the practical component of a social work curriculum. It is an essential bridge from classroom to service delivery settings as it provides an opportunity for social work students to connect theoretical education and fieldwork practice. However there is lack of integration between Social Work theory and Social Work fieldwork practice. There is indeed a continuing tension between theory and practice. With regard to the methodology, a combination of quantitative–qualitative research approach was used. Self-administered questionnaires, interview guide and focus group discussions were used to collect data from 3rd year and 4th year social work students as well as agency-based supervisors. The study revealed that social work fieldwork practice is essential for the integration of theory into practice. Therefore the department of Social Work at the University of Limpopo should organize workshops for agency-based supervisors to update their theoretical knowledge base. Fieldwork assessment tool should be reviewed and Social work students should also be involved in the assessment process and self-assessment should also be introduced.