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The state of adult social care research: findings from an online survey
- Authors:
- REHILL Amritpal, KING Derek, KNAPP Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 29(2), 2012, pp.115-134.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
This paper describes the findings from an online survey that asked about the status of social care research in 2010. Some questions reflected concerns raised at a 2005 seminar, organised by the Department of Health, that had discussed social care research. Notwithstanding the difficulties of collecting this kind of information through an online survey, the findings offer some useful insights. A number of improvements were described over the period from 2005 to 2010, including a more strategic approach to research, greater emphasis on interdisciplinarity, a greater practice focus, better accessibility to findings, some influences on policy and practice, and greater involvement of people who use services and carers. On the other hand, there were strong concerns about the future funding of social care research, with associated concerns about the effectiveness of care and support. Concerns were also expressed about ethics and governance arrangements, and research careers. (Publisher abstract)
The positive outcomes of developing a research bid with young carers
- Author:
- WARREN Janet
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 28(1), 2010, pp.43-54.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
This article describes the involvement of young carers in a study as participative researchers. It reports on the positive outcomes of participative research with nine young service users developing a funding application about the assessment experiences of young carers. Through a series of intensive workshops, using children and young people’s participation methods, young carers were involved in the complex planning of a research proposal, developing the statement of aims and designing the methods for data collection, analysis and dissemination. The paper explores the outcomes of this process, focusing in particular on the knowledge developed about statutory assessments of young carer’s needs, their experiences of assessment practices and their perceptions of the value of participating in bid development. The article concludes that, while time consuming, young carers’ involvement in the early stages of bid development is important in ensuring the development of research that is more robust and which has greater relevance, by reflecting the issues and experiences of those people most affected by its outcomes.
How does the rhetoric of 'user participation' in research apply to older people
- Authors:
- BOYCE Melanie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 27(1), 2009, pp.55-63.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
In recent years there has been a government emphasis on the involvement of service users and carers in the planning and shaping of services. Different research initiatives involving older people are highlighted. It is suggested that training in research skills for older people is crucial to advance their active and meaningful participation. The narrow range of involvement by older people in research is considered in relations to both policy and practice.
Recruiting UK-born ethnic minority women for qualitative health research - lessons learned from a study of maternity care
- Authors:
- TWAMLEY Katherine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 27(1), 2009, pp.25-38.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
Drawing on a qualitative study about maternity care experiences of UK-born ethnic minority women in England, this paper describes and compares the efficacy of six recruitment strategies used for women from Black African, Black Caribbean, Irish, Pakistani, and Indian backgrounds. The motivations and experiences were explored through retrospective interviews with participants and with health professionals who recruited participants though maternity clinics. The findings indicate that women's motivations to participate in research are similar to those found in previous studies with minority groups. Traditional routes of recruitment for ethnic minorities, such as through community groups, were less effective indicating that UK-born migrants require more diverse methods. Recruitment through health professionals requires an effort to 'recruit the recruiter' and a more collaborative relationship is recommended.
Involving older service consumers in health research: action research as a strategy for promoting involvement
- Authors:
- CALDWELL Kay, COLEMAN Kate, HOLMSHAW Janet
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 26(2), 2008, pp.113-112.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
This paper considers the extent of older service consumer involvement in health-related research and, through a critical consideration of the literature, explores the levels and ways in which older service consumers are involved. The experiences of research involvement from the perspectives of both older service consumers and professional researchers are explored, and the benefits of, and difficulties facing, such partnerships are considered. The importance of education and training for both older service consumers and professional researchers for such partnership working is highlighted, and strategies for enhancing effective involvement in planning, design and managing research are suggested. The benefits of utilising an action research approach to promote and support consumer involvement are considered and the process for developing this approach as a key strategy for promoting older service consumer involvement explored.
Researching partnerships: politics, ethics and pragmatism
- Author:
- BALLOCK Sue
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 25(2/3), 2007, pp.71-78.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
This article explores some of the political, ethical and practical issues encountered by researchers in studies of partnership. It briefly reviews different types of research and evaluation and the extent to which these have been politically driven. Because much partnership research is both atheoretical and ahistorical, this article considers some of the implications of applying different conceptual frameworks, such as systems theory, complexity theory and network theory. It concludes that without more strategic steps from central government to address entrenched inequalities, much partnership working is likely to remain ineffective in improving people's lives.
Researching the support needs of Pakistani families with disabled children in the UK
- Author:
- KRAMER-ROY Debbie
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 25(2/3), 2007, pp.143-153.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
Pakistani families living in the UK form one of the most disadvantaged sections of the society. When a disabled child is born, additional issues are added to this already challenging situation. Although a considerable body of research-based evidence has been available for well over a decade, no significant improvement in service provision to these families has been seen. This article suggests that a critical paradigm of research, with emancipatory goals, is needed and that participatory action research be used to help Pakistani families gain better understandings of their own support needs and to provide better skills to be able to ensure that these needs will be met more effectively within the family, in the community and through mainstream services.
Challenges and strategies in collaborative working with service user researchers: reflections from the academic researcher
- Authors:
- MILLER Emma, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 24(3), 2006, pp.197-208.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
The authors consider the lessons to be drawn from a collaborative two-year research project involving academic researchers working alongside three service user research organisations. The joint working on the project involved designing a research tool and conducting interviews with users of services that were provided by health and social services partnerships. Questions arising from this project involved consideration of the advantages and challenges of collaborative work. The experience highlighted the necessity of carefully considering a range of factors, including the ethos and goals of each organisation, as well as the skills and experience of the individuals involved, in relation to the specific purpose of the research. the challenge for academic researchers is to find ways to meet a range of power relations and disempowering service user researchers. Alongside consideration of the challenges involved, this reflective account also highlights some of the advantages of working with user researchers, and suggests ways of harnessing the enthusiasm and skills of service users, with aim of capturing the unique perspective they bring to research.
Empowering older volunteers: learning to research
- Author:
- FENGE Lee-Ann
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 24(1), 2006, pp.13-23.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
This article reports on a United Kingdom Open College Network (OCN) accredited training course in Community Survey Research for older people involved in community based research activities. It was funded through Older and Bolder, an initiative of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) in England and Wales, and was developed by Bournemouth University in collaboration with Bournemouth and Poole College. The course was offered to older volunteers at Help and Care, a voluntary sector agency working with older people and their carers in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset. It was felt that these volunteers might be interested in attending a structured programme on Community Research, which could be accredited by the OCN, which would assist them in their voluntary roles particularly in terms of research and service evaluation. By the end of the eight-week course participants appeared enthused about learning and engaging in future research. Issues raised by this pilot project are discussed, particularly in terms of funding future schemes.
Are services and activities for socially isolated and lonely older people accessible, equitable, and inclusive?
- Authors:
- CATTAN Mima, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Research Policy and Planning, 23(3), 2005, pp.149-164.
- Publisher:
- Social Services Research Group
This article presents finding from a survey and interviews undertaken as part of a study whose purpose was to explore the appropriateness and accessibility of activities intended to alleviate social isolation and loneliness among older people. The findings suggest that access to services and activities were often not tailored to the needs of those who were most lonely and isolated. Older people were rarely involved in developing or evaluating programmes intended for the socially isolated and lonely. The implications are discussed in relation to current policy and practice.