Social Work Research in Social Service Agencies

Agency-based rescarch is critical to the applied science of social work. Although the need for such research has been recognized, there are few guidelines for investigators contemplating research endeavors in social service agencies. Drawing on their experience as intervention researchers, the authors offer suggestions and caveats to help investigators anticipate and overcome barriers to conducting research in community agencies. Social workers are advised to attend to the needs and concerns of practitioners, administrators, and clients as they plan and conduct agency-based research studies.