USING OBSERVATION AS METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION TO ENHANCE EMPATHY AND CRITICAL REFLECTION AMONGST STUDENTS OF SOCIAL WORK

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 35-45
Author(s):  
SEEMA SHARMA
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Role Taking ◽  
Postgraduate Students

Social work research is an important part of social work practice. It adds to the knowledge base of the profession, facilitates understanding of the challenges facing society and encourages researchers to find solutions to these challenges. The focus of qualitative research in social work in India has likewise been generating and adding to the knowledge base of the profession. More specifically, qualitative methods of data collection have not been interrogated from the perspective of their potential to enhance competencies such as empathy and critical reflection amongst the students of social work. This paper examines the possibility of using observation, a method of data collection in qualitative research, to enhance empathy and critical reflection amongst students of social work. The paper is based on the outcomes of an assignment on observation given to second semester postgraduate students of social work in the Department of Social Work, University of Delhi, India. The assignment required the students to take on the role of marginalized members of society and use observation as a method in the field to record the responses of the generalized others towards them. The assignment also encouraged the students to reflect on their reactions and responses to the behavior of people towards them when they performed the specific roles. The outcome of the assignment points towards the possibility of using practical training in observation as a method of data collection in facilitating empathetic understanding and critical reflection amongst students, when used in conjunction with role-taking.

scholarly journals Emotional intelligence as a part of critical reflection in social work practice and research

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502110247
Author(s):  
Mari D Herland
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Emotional Aspects

Social workers often experience higher levels of burnout compared with other healthcare professionals. The capacity to manage one’s own emotional reactions efficiently, frequently in complex care settings, is central to the role of social workers. This article highlights the complexity of emotions in social work research and practice by exploring the perspective of emotional intelligence. The article is both theoretical and empirical, based on reflections from a qualitative longitudinal study interviewing fathers with behavioural and criminal backgrounds, all in their 40 s. The analysis contains an exploration of the researcher position that illuminates the reflective, emotional aspects that took place within this interview process. Three overall themes emerged – first: Recognising emotional complexity; second: Reflecting on emotional themes; and third: Exploring my own prejudices and preconceptions. The findings apply to both theoretical and practical social work, addressing the need to understand emotions as a central part of critical reflection and reflexivity. The argument is that emotions have the potential to expand awareness of one’s own preconceptions, related to normative societal views. This form of analytical awareness entails identifying and paying attention to one’s own, sometimes embodied, emotional triggers.

scholarly journals Digitalization of Critical Reflection with ATLAS.ti Software in Social Work Supervision

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Komalsingh Rambaree ◽  
Nessica Nässén
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Reflective Practice ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Fundamental Part ◽  
Technological Tool ◽  
Supporting Tool ◽  
Social Work Supervision

In this technology-driven era, the digitalization of social work practice is becoming almost mandatory in many countries, especially in Europe. Within this context, it is important to look at the possibilities and challenges for the digitalization of critical reflection, which is a fundamental part of social work practice. Using a conceptual and theoretical framework based on reflective practice, critical reflection, and experiential learning, this article aims to outline and discuss the use of ATLAS.ti software as a supporting tool in digitalizing critical reflection in social work supervision (SWS). For illustrative purposes, a case example of child welfare from Sweden is used. This article considers both the benefits and challenges of using ATLAS.ti as a technological tool for the digitalization of critical reflection in SWS. It concludes that social workers’ autonomy and wellbeing need to be at the center in deciding about the use of digital tools such as ATLAS.ti in SWS.

Developing and Sustaining Critical Reflection on Social Work Practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 121-136
Author(s):  
Laura Béres ◽  
Stephanie L. Baird ◽  
Joanna Bedggood ◽  
Katherine Bodkin ◽  
Hiedi Britton-deJeu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice

Reflecting on a second-migration experience: Issues and implications for social work practice

2020 ◽  
pp. 002087282096218
Author(s):  
Wook-Mo Kang ◽  
Jeongmi Lim ◽  
Hong-Jae Park
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Fluid Migration ◽  
Soft Landing ◽  
Migration Experience ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Depth Interviews

The purpose of this article is to present the research findings from a qualitative study on a type of second migration experienced by Korean-New Zealand immigrants in Australia. Data were collected from 16 in-depth interviews with those people who initially moved from South Korea to New Zealand, and then migrated to Australia. The study findings show that the participants were likely to experience ‘soft-landing’ relocation, ethnically internal belonging and identity flexibility. A critical reflection on this second-migration phenomenon is presented in order to help social work professionals broaden their perspectives on today’s fluid migration and its implications for practice.

Developing a Knowledge Base for Charter School Social Work Practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jandel Mary Crutchfield ◽  
Martell L. Teasley
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Charter School ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
School Social Work ◽  
Social Work Practice

scholarly journals Re-writing the “rules of engagement”: Using critical reflection to examine ableist social work practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Fox
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Structural Inequality ◽  
Reconstruction Methods ◽  
Human Ability ◽  
Cultural Status ◽  
Pluralistic Approach ◽  
Hegemonic Construction

INTRODUCTION: Normative beliefs and practices reaffirm a hegemonic construction of human ability that legitimises the socio-cultural status quo. This disenfranchises people with diverse abilities who are excluded from this construction whilst simultaneously normalising the structural inequality and oppression that they experience. Helping professions such as social work often provide support to people who are disadvantaged by these social structures. However, practitioners within these fields are not immune to the influence of socio-cultural norms, therefore it is essential for them to reflect on the ways in which they might reproduce them within their practice.APPROACH: This article outlines my experience of using critical reflection as a research methodology to examine an incident from my practice. Deconstruction and reconstruction methods were used to analyse the normative assumptions within my construction of this incident.REFLECTIONS: The deconstruction analysis revealed how assumptions about impairment within my account of the incident were underpinned by ableist discourses. Reconstructing this through a neurodiversity lens enabled me to generate new insights around the anti-oppressive potential for using a pluralistic approach that undermines hegemonic constructions of ability.CONCLUSIONS: By critically reflecting on this incident, I realised the importance of challenging normative assumptions when practising within neoliberal contexts where socio-cultural hegemony is amplified.

A model of paternal protection in the context of political violence: Insights from the occupied Palestinian territories

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bree Akesson ◽  
Aline Bogossian ◽  
Ravi Gokani
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Political Violence ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Palestinian Territories

There is little research that explores how fathers protect their children in the context of political violence. Drawing upon exploratory qualitative research with 18 Palestinian families, this article proposes a model of paternal protection composed of three dimensions: (1) method of protection (how fathers protect their children), (2) focus of protection (what fathers protect their children from), and (3) locus of protection (where fathers locate the mechanisms of protection). The model contributes to a greater awareness and understanding of the daily challenges facing fathers and suggests ways that social work practice and policy can support fathers in settings of adversity.

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