This book is a practical beginner's guide to both conducting and using research within the context of social work practice. A clear and accessible introduction to applied research methods for social work students and practitioners, this text covers the key themes, debates and approaches, including:- The ethics of social work research- Conducting interviews and questionnaires- Focus groups- Observation and narrative- The involvement of service users- Analyzing dataWith practical exercises and reflective questions, this is an essential text for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifying social work students.