Making a Difference in Families: Research that creates change

Doing research with families poses particular challenges in social work and welfare. The families are generally clients of social services and can be in a vulnerable position. Also, it is important that family research contributes to improving practice in clinical and community work. This text discusses key approaches to research with families, including action research, focus groups and participant observation. Contributors explore both qualitative and quantitative methods, and examine ways in which researchers can involve participants in the research process. Detailed case studies are provided of research in a variety of settings, and with different kinds of family situations.