The legacy of Covid-19: A case example of changing research practices as a representation for wider research method changes following the pandemic

Flynn, Ann (2024). The legacy of Covid-19: A case example of changing research practices as a representation for wider research method changes following the pandemic. In: 13th European Conference for Social Work Research, 17-19 Apr 2024, Vilnius, Lithuania.

Abstract

Themes include:
• Challenges and opportunities for social work research, practice, policy or education in contemporary contexts
• Theorizing social work and/or social work research
• Linking social work research and practice, including the co-creation of knowledge
• Methodological development, innovation, technologies, and capacity building in social work research

Background and purpose:
Research undertaken as part of a doctoral study was impacted by Covid-19. This qualitative study used an inductive approach to explore the experience of preparation of university social work students for inter-professional practice. Social work students and newly qualified social workers in practice in England were interviewed. When Covid-19 government guidance prevented in person engagement, the research instruments and methods changed to on-line.

This poster explores the journey of this change and its wider implications to support the co-creation of knowledge, promote an equality of access through innovation and potentially build capacity in social work research to reach a wider and representative participant group.
Methods:

The initial plan and pilot study developed an in-person focus group to facilitate the research when Covid-19 guidance impacted. On-line delivery of our day-to day lives quickly created fatigue with this method, the anxiety isolation leading to vulnerability and a hesitancy to engage in group dynamics. Ethical factors as to whether the study should go ahead were a prime consideration, and yet students voted with their feet which informed a shift to semi-structured interviews.

A further challenge of this study was an element of the interview focused on the use of a drawing tool, as a visual, symbolic, and creative research method.

This poster focuses on the benefits and challenge of this change to in-line semi-structured interviews to gain participant insights. The study followed students into the newly qualified year of employment and a reflective view was shared looking back on the years of the pandemic and its impact on their study and practice development.

Findings:
The process of the on-line interviews, including the visual tool brought attention to a key part of social work practice. It identified improvements for student preparation for social work practice in the future, and to identify support in an inter-professional space.
There was a wider knowledge gained as the study echoes with other developments in the pandemic. These relate to the need for change to research methods and approaches to be appropriate to the changing social conditions and social and emotional responses of the public (e.g., social anxiety, isolation, lack of confidence or skills with on-line research methods).
The use of on-line interviews supported opening availability, letting the participant lead the practical arrangements and empowered them in the process.

Implications for practice:
On-line interviews are a positive tool as a research method. Researchers should not be afraid to experiment with different methods of gaining data and art-based research can also be incorporated into on-line delivery of research interviews.
References:

Braun V, Clarke V (2006) Using thematic analysis in psychology, Qualitative Research in Psychology, Vol 3, 2006

Hafford-Letchfield and Huss E (2018) Putting you in the picture: the use of visual imagery in social work supervision European Journal of social work

Kara H, (2020), Creative Research Methods, Bristol, Policy Press

Nind M and Coverdale- A (2021) Changing Social research Practices in the context of Covid-19:
Rapid Evidence reviews accessed https://eprints.ncrm.ac.uk/id/eprint/4458/

Turner D (2020) Social Work and Covid-19: lessons for education and practice, Critical Publishing Ltd, St Albans

Wiles F & Vicary S (2018), Picturing social work, puzzles and passion: exploring and developing transnational professional identities. Social Work Education

Plain Language Summary

A poster illustrating how Covid-19 impacted on one research study. New knowledge was co-produced in speaking with university students studying their final year of social work. The study changed its research methodology to be compliant with government rules of distancing. It led to new approaches and building confidence in using different approaches and methods.

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