Social Work Informatics in Child Protection Social

Social Work Informatics in Child Protection

Social Work Research

The research design for this study utilizes mixed methods in order to identify variables that function as benefits and inhibitors of the use of technology by child protection case workers. Surveys that are a hybrid of quantitative (correlational survey techniques) and qualitative approaches will be conducted with case workers (Creswell, 2009). Survey questions that will permit inclusion of qualitative data in this study are considered to be essential by this author as they yield data that provides depth and detail from which to create understanding of the phenomena under study and the lived experiences of the survey respondents, which in this instance are case workers who provide child protection services (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Accordingly, the survey will contain both close-ended and open-ended items, such that quantitative data is available for analysis of correlations and qualitative data is available for grounded theory analysis (Creswell, 2009). A hybrid approach to data collection is justified because of the importance of the topic to child safety and well-being, and to case worker job satisfaction which underscores the management of staff recruitment and retention (Creswell, 2009; Glaser & Strauss, 1967).

Sample

The sampling strategy used in this study is non-probabilistic (Creswell, 2009). The sampling design to be used in the study is stratified sampling (Creswell, 2009). This author proposes that the variables that permit stratification of the population are likely to have strong correlation with the dependent variables. These variables include demographic attributes and the current levels of use of relatively advanced applications of technology, including their case management systems, by social workers in the sample (Creswell, 2009). An important benefit to the stratified sampling method is that equal numbers can be sampled from strata that vary in size, such that, the statistical power of tests of differences between the strata can be more effectively balanced (Creswell, 2009). Overall, the accuracy of estimation is higher for stratified sampling than for other sampling methods (Creswell, 2009). Sample size will be determined by the number of case workers in the relevant area of study who agree to participate in the research (Creswell, 2009).

Measurement

A survey that consists of both qualitative and quantitative components will be used to collect data (Creswell, 2009; Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Labuschagne, 2003; Strauss & Corbin, 1990). The survey will measure the perceptions of case workers regarding the benefits and inhibitors of social work informatics in their practice (Creswell, 2009; Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Labuschagne, 2003; Strauss & Corbin, 1990).

Data Collection Methods

The survey will number approximately 30 close-ended question items that require recording responses on a 5-point Likert scale (Creswell, 2009). In addition, the qualitative component of the survey will include five open-ended questions that will enable the survey respondents to provide more detail about their perceptions and observations, and to explain any responses in the qualitative component of the survey that they feel are misleading or incomplete (Glaser & Strauss, 1967).

Data Analysis Plan

The qualitative portion of the research will employ constant comparison procedures in order to facilitate the emergence of relevant themes from the data. This form of data provides opportunity for triangulation of data. These methods and this type of instrumentation are germane to a grounded theory approach to qualitative data collection and data analysis.

Since the provision and management of child protection social work is multidimensional and no single set of questions or items can measure all its aspects, factor analysis will be used to uncover the perceptions and attitudes of social works with regard to the use of informatics in their jobs (Creswell, 2009). Reliable instruments are able to measure constructs consistently (Creswell, 2009). In the quantitative data analysis of this survey, reliability will be measured by comparing the variation expected within the strata to the variation across the strata (Creswell, 2009).

Ethical Issues