The Practice of Research in Social Work, 4th Edition – Engel & Schutt (Paperback)

The Practice of Research in Social Work, Fourth Edition, by Rafael J. Engel and Russell K. Schutt is SAGE’s paperback research methods textbook for BSW and MSW students, built around evidence-based social work practice.

Research methods courses are a required part of every accredited social work program, and this text is one of the most widely adopted for them. Engel and Schutt present an integrated set of techniques for evaluating research and for conducting studies, illustrated with actual social work research rather than generic examples. The fourth edition adds new examples, the latest studies, and expanded material on technology and qualitative methods, and it is mapped to the 2015 CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) core competencies.

What’s included

• Fourth Edition, paperback, published by SAGE Publications
• Coverage of research design, measurement, sampling, causation, survey research, qualitative methods, evaluation research, and data analysis
• Illustrations drawn from published social work research
• Expanded treatment of technology in research and qualitative approaches
• Alignment with the 2015 EPAS core competencies for social work practice

Who it’s for

MSW students in foundation-year research courses, BSW students taking their first methods class, and doctoral applicants who need to brush up on evaluation research before a program starts. Practicing social workers who are asked to evaluate agency programs, or to read and apply evidence in practice, use it as a reference after graduation.

Why this edition

The fourth edition is the version aligned with the 2015 EPAS competencies that accredited programs teach to, so chapter objectives map directly onto what instructors are required to assess. If your syllabus lists the Engel and Schutt fourth edition, this is the matching paperback. The listed ISBN candidate for this item did not match the SAGE edition, so we have not published a barcode; contact us if you need the ISBN confirmed before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same book as Schutt’s Investigating the Social World?

No. The Practice of Research in Social Work is a separate text by Engel and Schutt written specifically for social work students, with social work examples throughout.

Does the fourth edition cover qualitative research?

Yes. The fourth edition expanded its qualitative methods material in addition to the quantitative coverage.

Is this edition aligned with CSWE EPAS?

Yes. The fourth edition is mapped to the 2015 EPAS core competencies.

Details