Dear Colleagues and Students,
Thank you for your support. The China Journal of Social Work has published its issue 15.3. It is a special issue titled ‘Social Work Practice Research: Philosophy, Ethics and Practices’. You may read the papers via the below links.
Please feel free to share it with your colleagues, students and friends. Thank you.
Issue 15.3
Special issue: Social Work Practice Research: Philosophy, Ethics and Practices
Articles
Transformation of women with breast cancer in Mainland China using a seven-step model of mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT)
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/17525098.2022.2134573
Abstract: Women with breast cancer in China must exert considerable effort to resist stigma and the impact of treatment side effects. They suffer not only the overwhelming consequences of bodily disfigurement but also gender stigmatisation, with adverse impacts on their mental and sexual health. Research from Western countries indicates that most women with cancer report some “beneficial” consequences of their breast cancer experience. In the mindfulness-based narrative therapy (MBNT) project reported in this article, researchers collaborated with health professionals and female patients from a breast cancer hospital in Mainland China to develop an intervention approach. This article aims to demonstrate how social workers adopted MBNT for a self-help group for Chinese women with breast cancer to enable the women to discover the “gain” of “illness”, which provides a source of power to combat self-stigmatisation.
From action to theory building: an action research of rural social work practice in China
Hok Bun Ku
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/17525098.2022.2107148
Abstract: In recent years, action research has gradually been accepted by social work educators and practitioners in Mainland China. Some have tried integrating action research into social work education and practice. However, many people only learn the form but do not seriously uphold the spirit of action research and understand its mission of knowledge building. Therefore, this article first introduces the key elements of participatory action research (PAR) and then uses a PAR project of rural social work as an example to demonstrate how researchers collaborate with frontline practitioners and local villagers to co-create knowledge in pursuit of a practical solution to problems of rural development in post-reform China. Finally, the paper will conclude with a theory of rural-urban alliance which has been generated in the PAR process. I hope this article will become the text for dialogues within the social work action research community in Mainland China.
Complex identities in ethical social work practice and research (Open access)
Lena Dominelli
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/17525098.2022.2107142
Abstract: Identity, a socially constructed concept, makes sense of who we are, and how we relate to others and define our places in the world, including the physical environment. Identity formation and maintenance are complex, transactional relationships negotiated through interpersonal interactions and constantly adapting to the people we meet. Identity is culturally specific and changes through exchanges between and across cultures. Identity formation is fluid, dynamic, and reproduced through interaction with others. Identity is negotiated through power relations to create feelings of “belonging” and acceptance in specific situations and locales. Being accepted as belonging establishes an individual’s and community’s entitlement to human rights in society through social inclusion and exclusion processes. Working with those who do not “belong”, social workers aware of the impact of the social construction of identity should treat people with respect and dignity and provide necessary services.
Investigating outcomes of social care programmes using creative study designs for service excellence
Herman Hay Ming Lo
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/17525098.2022.2099600
Abstract: In this paper, the author has reviewed four pieces of practice research that aim to investigate the outcome of social care programmes. Special attention is given to the process where the concerns of social work practitioners and stakeholders, including academic supervisors, agency administrators, funders and policy makers involved in the dialogues. In addition to the requirement of rigour in study design, priority is given to the significance of the contribution to practice knowledge through adequately interpreting and disseminating research findings through dialogues. Based on the mapping of individual practitioner−researcher, exemplars of randomised controlled trial and clinical data mining in social care programme evaluation are selected to illustrate how they respond to the research questions in a specific practice setting.
Conducting practice research
Michael J. Austin & Bowen McBeath
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/17525098.2022.2087705
Abstract: The conduct of practice research is both similar and different from traditional social science and social work research. It is similar in terms of common research methods applied to essential social work practice issues. But practice research is quite different when it comes to framing and negotiating the research questions, engaging in participatory data analysis, and using research findings. This paper introduces core elements of practice research to social work scholars and researchers in relation the evolving context of social service delivery in China. This analysis features the evolving definition of practice research along with the principles that guide the conduct of practice research. Included in this discussion is a comparative analysis with other research methods and an illustrative case related to evidence-informed practice. It concludes with a discussion of considerations for scholars and researchers invested in the improvement of social services in diverse Chinese contexts.
To conceal or reveal: ethical tensions and concerns in participatory action research-the relational adventures in a rural China village community research project
Siu Ling Fok
Link: https://doi.org/10.1080/17525098.2022.2087305
Abstract: The author reviewed her involvement in a participatory action research project for child protection in a rural Chinese community in this paper. Numerous observations and reflections on ethical tensions and decision-making are discussed. These discussions raise awareness about the ethical implications of a participatory action-inquiry process. Everyday ethical issues in research should be addressed collaboratively and relationally.
Policy Updates
The economic-social policy of resilient development and common prosperity in the construction of new development paradigm and Rural Revitalisation (乡村振兴中韧性发展的经济-社会政策与共同富裕效应)
Sibin Wang (王思斌)
Link (English): https://doi.org/10.1080/17525098.2022.2088052
Link (Chinese): https://doi.org/10.1080/17525098.2022.2088053
Abstract: Rural Revitalisation is an important part of the construction of the new development paradigm. In this context, the revitalisation and development of rural areas in the central and western regions need economic-social policies for resilience development. It is an economic and social policy focusing on Rural Revitalisation, which can promote rural resilient development with the purpose of promoting rural economic development, boosting rural popularity and raising the level of economic and social life in rural areas. It is a policy group, including the revitalisation and development of county economy, the implementation of economic policies conducive to social development, the implementation of public policies and social policies, and the mechanism of enabling them integrative development. All the above eventually contributes to the development of common prosperity of the rural.
摘要:乡村振兴是新发展格局建构的重要组成部分, 乡村在多大程度上得以振兴, 乡村振兴对构建国内大循环的新发展格局能够产生多大影响, 要看能在多大程度上缩小已形成的城乡过大差距, 改变农村的弱势化、边缘化状态, 以及提升农村农民参与乡村振兴的意愿和能力。由于简单的、一般化的“经济-社会政策支持”难以解决那些已经和仍在边缘化的中西部农村的振兴问题, 要实现其振兴, 必须有韧性地介入, 包括实施有韧性的政策和发展农村的坚韧力。在此背景下, 中西部乡村的振兴发展需要韧性发展的经济-社会政策。因为它是以乡村振兴为本的政策, 是能促进乡村韧性发展的经济-社会政策, 目的是促进乡村经济发展、提振乡村人气和经济社会生活。它同时还是政策群, 包括县域经济的振兴发展, 实施有利于社会发展的经济政策, 实施好公共政策和社会政策, 并使它们整合发展, 进而促进乡村的共同富裕。
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