The Mixed-Methods Research for Social Work Practice. About Acquiring Methodological Skills for Social Workers

This paper has the aim to discuss the importance of acquiring methodological skills in social research for future social workers who, as set off by the Italian Code of Ethics, have to know in-depth the complexity of the territory in which they act, to efficiently operate in answering to people needs and difficulties. The research question in (and for) Social work becomes a tool concretely connected to the daily professional practice of social workers, and therefore to the leading role they play in community care, by activating processes able to develop positive medium-long term strategies. In this conceptual framework, professionals need to gain a mixed-methods background in social research to understand social requests, both from a macro and a micro point of view. Focusing on the methodological aspect of Social work, social workers may interpret their identity in a contemporary way. Thus they can plan intervention by activating the relational networks in specific contexts, by practicing collective empowerment, and enhancing solidarity actions able to promote social capital, community building, and therefore a real social change.