Enhancing Research-Based Social Work by Facilitating Practitioner Research–Enabling Factors and Issues to be Resolved

Purpose: The study focused on how professionals can conduct practitioner research. The research questions were (a) what benefits do professionals perceive in practitioner research and (b) what factors facilitate or hinder conducting research as part of one's practice? Method: We collected data in two focus groups ( n = 6) with social workers who conducted practitioner research as part of a development project. The data were analyzed thematically. Results: The participants found it motivating that practitioner research can help meet practical needs, strengthen evidence-informed practice, and facilitate service development. The practical benefits were learning research skills and developing their practice. Research support, participating a larger program, and encouragement from management were significant enablers. Enhancing practitioner research requires creating research-friendly organizational cultures and R&D structures. Discussion: Practitioner research should be a systematic part of service development. Strengthening the alliance between research and development would also create a supportive environment for conducting practitioner research.