Social service agencies are facing the same expectations in quality management and outcomes as private companies, compelling staff members and researchers to provide and interpret valid and useful research to stakeholders at all levels in the field. Child welfare agencies are particularly scrutinized. In this textbook, two highly experienced researchers offer the best techniques for conducting sound research in the field. Covering not only the methodological challenges but also the real-life constraints of research in child welfare settings, Amy J. L. Baker and Benjamin J. Charvat present a volume that can be used both for general research methods and as a practical guide for conducting research in the field of child welfare. Baker and Charvat devote an entire chapter to ethical issues involved in researching children and their families and the limits of confidentiality within this population. They weave a discussion of ethics throughout the book, and each chapter begins with a scenario that presents a question or problem to work through, enabling readers to fully grasp the methods in the context of a specific setting or area of concern. Special sections concentrate on the value of continuous quality-improvement activities, which enable the collection and analysis of data outside of the strictures of publishable research, and the implementation of program evaluations, which can be helpful in obtaining further research and programmatic funding.

List of FiguresList of TablesForeword, by Christine James-BrownAcknowledgments1. Introduction to Child Welfare ResearchPart 1. Planning and Developing Research Studies 2. The Philosophy and Logic of Research3. Ethical Considerations4. Problem Formulation5. Sampling TheoryPart 2. Design Strategies 6. Single-System Design7. Group Designs8. Using Existing DataPart 3. Measurement Strategies 9. Measurement Theory and Measure Selection10. Surveys11. Case Studies12. Focus Groups13. In-Depth InterviewsPart 4. Data Analysis and Writing Up and Sharing Research Results 14. Data Analysis Techniques15. Dissemination of Research FindingsPart 5. Special Topics in Agency Practice 16. Continuous Quality Improvement in Agency Practice17. Agency-Based Program Evaluation18. Final ThoughtsClassroom Discussion and ActivitiesGlossary 1. Social Science Research Methods TermsGlossary 2. Child Welfare Practice and Policy TermsReferencesIndex