Review of Australian Health Related Social Work Research 1990–2009

Abstract

Social workers form a critical component of the Australian health workforce. While their roles as practitioners are very strategic within the health system, less clear is their contribution to health research. This paper reviews the published record of social work research in Australian health from 1990–2009 in order to discern the patterns of the social work contribution to new knowledge in health. The results of this review indicate a tendency to focus on discursive commentary rather than empirical research as well as a less-than-expected focus on client studies. Given the rise of evidence-based practice, there are potentially serious implications for social work in terms of how it positions itself as a contributor to new knowledge within the health field.     

A Bibliometric Analysis of 20 Years of Globalization Research: 1990–2009

We present a bibliometric analysis of globalization research published during 1990–2009, based on three online library catalogues, the Science Citation Index, and the Social Science Citation Index databases. Our analysis summarizes major research patterns in globalization research and could serve as an alternative and potential guide for future research in this field. The volume of books and articles on globalization has exploded since the 1990s, and there is an even distribution of globalization literature across subject categories, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of globalization research. International organizations appear as the most cited authors in globalization research. A keyword analysis suggests that cities and networks have a central position in studies of contemporary globalization and reveals several major strands in globalization studies.

Presentamos un análisis bibliométrico de la investigación sobre la globalización publicado entre los años 1990 y 2009, basados en tres catálogos bibliográficos en línea, la base de datos del Índice de citas de la ciencia y del Índice de citas de la ciencia social. Nuestro análisis resume patrones importantes de indagación en la investigación de la globalización y podría servir como una guía alterna y potencial para futura investigación en este campo. El volumen de libros y artículos sobre globalización ha explotado desde los años de 1990 y existe una distribución uniforme sobre la literatura de la globalización entre las categorías de la materia, que reflejan la naturaleza interdisciplinaria de la investigación de la globalización. Un análisis de la palabra clave sugiere que las ciudades y las redes tienen una posición central en los estudios de la globalización contemporánea y que revela tendencias principales en los estudios de la globalización.

我们以图书馆目录、科学引文索引,以及社会科学引文索引三个在线的数据库为基础,提供了关于1990至2009年间发表的全球化研究的一个文献计量分析。我们的研究概括了全球化研究中的主要研究模式,可作为该领域未来研究的替代性和潜在性的指导。自1990年代以来,关于全球化的论著册子呈爆炸式涌现,各学科门类中全球化文献呈均匀分布,反映了全球化研究的学科间属性。国际组织在全球化研究中作为被最常援引的作者而出现。关键词的分析表明城市和网络在当代全球化研究中处于中心地位,这也反映了全球化研究的几个主要分支。

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The Status of Online Public Relations Research: An Analysis of Published Articles in 1992–2009

This study was designed to identify trends, patterns, and academic rigor in research studies focusing on Internet-related public relations through a review of articles published between 1992 and 2009. ^{1 1}Please see the appendix for a bibliography of the 115 articles studied. This study examined the authorship, theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches, and research topics addressed in these published articles. Key findings suggested an increasing trend in the number of published articles, a lack of applied theoretical frameworks, a dominance of quantitative research, and an emphasis on use of the Internet in public relations.     

Mediation with Separated Parents: Recent Research 2002–2007

Mediation is increasingly being used to attempt to resolve conflicts between parents following divorce and separation. The article considers the problems faced by the mediator and how mediation can sometimes take the place of hostile litigation. The value and objective of mediation is to create harmony where there is disharmony. This naturally affects not only the adults but children from the relationship. The manner in which mediation is conducted varies with the mediator. One method found to be successful is discussed.     

The State of Our Art: A Review of Theories Used in Intergenerational Program Research (2003–2014) and Ways Forward

Despite several published articles examining various characteristics of intergenerational program research over the past decade, there has been no comprehensive examination of how theory is being used (or not) in the field of intergenerational practice for more than 10 years. This article examines the published research literature on intergenerational programs over the past decade (2003–2014) to discover which theoretical perspectives have been applied to intergenerational practice and analyze the questions and issues that emerge from those theories and their use. The authors consider what is needed to advance our theoretical understanding of intergenerational practice and suggest some theoretical directions forward for the field.     

Racial–Ethnic Socialization and Transracial Adoptee Outcomes: A Systematic Research Synthesis

Transracial adoptees face unique challenges when it comes to being socialized with their race and culture. Ethnic identity and parent racial–ethnic socialization are two important variables that have been studied in the transracial adoption literature. Additionally, transracial adoptee outcomes of racial–ethnic socialization have been analyzed in multiple studies. However, few reviews have focused on synthesizing empirical studies that include the variables of both racial–ethnic socialization and transracial adoptee outcomes together. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic research synthesis was to examine studies with variables of parent practices of racial–ethnic socialization and transracial adoptee outcomes, and transracial adoptee experiences of racial–ethnic socialization and adoptee outcomes. Thirteen studies were included in the synthesis, and collective findings suggest that racial–ethnic socialization is associated with healthy adoptee outcomes in multiple studies. Implications and limitations about the need for transracially adoptive parents to be educated about racial–ethnic socialization, and resources that adoptive agencies can provide are discussed.     

Maria Concetta (Etta) Chiuri 1969–2009

In Memoriam

Maria Concetta (Etta) Chiuri 1969–2009     

Research Articles in Australian Social Work from 1998–2007: A Content Analysis

Abstract

With the rise of evidence-based practice, there have been calls in social work for practice research that examines the efficacy of its interventions. For the present paper, the authors conducted a content analysis of all articles published in Australian Social Work in the period from 1998 to 2007 to examine the nature of published research and evaluation. Of the 313 articles, 138 (45%) reported on research findings. Of these, only six articles involved practice evaluation or testing of an instrument, but there were positive signs of a developing empirical research culture primarily utilising a qualitative approach or mixed methods studies. The authors suggest that there is a need for more research on social work interventions, a more conscious decision by the profession about its attitude to evidence-based practice (EBP), specific directions for research education, and greater rigour in reporting all types of research studies, but particularly qualitative studies.     

When Is Research Good Evidence? Issues in Reading Research

Although using published research is only one part of the evidence-based practice process, clinical social workers more often doubt their abilities in this area than in client assessment or in the individualizing of treatment approaches to fit client preferences, values and resources. This article reviews the nature of research and the reason it is often a preferred source of information; common flaws to watch for in published research; types of research studies and how different kinds of studies are viewed by those interested in treatment outcome research; and the elements of a published research report that must be considered when deciding on its usefulness for decision-making about practice. It will also include discussion of the controversies that surround these topics, which are significant. While readers will have been introduced to these topics in their professional education, when knowledge is not used it is often not well-remembered. Few clinicians find that reading, assessing, or conducting research is part of their daily work, which is one reason why the discussion of evidence-based practice and other approaches to the use of research in clinical practice can be anxiety-provoking. This “refresher” emphasizes that critical thinking skills, which clinicians often have in abundance, are the single most important element in using research to inform practice.     

Absolute intragenerational mobility in the United States, 1962–2014

The Journal of Economic Inequality - This paper combines historical cross-sectional and longitudinal data in the United States to study the evolution of absolute intragenerational mobility over...     

Debate on nanotechnology in the Swedish daily press 2004–2009

This work presents the results of an on-going project that explores the media debate on nanotechnology in the Swedish daily press. Based on the analysis of articles published between 2004 and 2009 in two national and two regional Swedish daily broadsheets, it examines frames and themes used, the general tone of the articles as well as the actors active in the debate. Results of the analysis show that a positive tone dominates the Swedish coverage, which is mostly focused on future applications of nanotechnology. However, in the final stage of the studied period, the Swedish press started focus more on potential risks of nanotechnology as well as regulatory questions.     

Examining Foundations of Qualitative Research: A Review of Social Work Dissertations, 2008–2010

This study examined the treatment of epistemology and methodological rigor in qualitative social work dissertations. Template-based review was conducted on a random sample of 75 dissertations completed between 2008 and 2010. For each dissertation, we noted the presence or absence of four markers of epistemology: theory, paradigm, reflexivity, and power. We also examined methods choices and the strategies used for ensuring rigor. Results suggested that most (96%) doctoral students completing qualitative dissertations address theory, but fewer refer to reflexivity (45%), paradigm (13%), or power dynamics (8%). Students typically used multiple strategies for ensuring rigor. Grounded theory and phenomenology were the most popular methods choices, followed by case studies, ethnography, or narrative methods. Implications for doctoral education are offered.