Qualitative Social Work
Poverty & Inequality | Qualitative Research (General) | Social Work Practice (General)
Qualitative Social Work provides a forum for those interested in qualitative research and evaluation and in qualitative approaches to practice.
The journal includes the following regular special features:
Response and Commentary
Responses to previous articles in the journal or contributions that initiate discussion of current research and practice issues.
Practice and Teaching of Qualitative Social Work
Critical 'how-to' accounts and reflections on the methodology and practice of qualitative social work.
New Voices
‘New Voices’ seeks submissions to this journal that are considered innovative and novel ways of conducting research and representing findings. We are particularly interested in the execution of new methodologies, innovative means of data collection, and the exploration of subject matter not previously researched. ‘New Voices’ aims to encourage the originality of perspectives of scholars in the early stage of publishing their work, and social workers who present novel insights in applying quality inquiry to their practice. We are also interested in submissions from practitioner-researchers, who bring a wealth of field experience and knowledge. We are especially willing to hear the voices of those who shed light on the perspectives of people historically marginalised in the literature, and those of social workers engaged in anti-oppressive practice.
Articles may take the form of concise reviews, syntheses, reports, innovative and creative writing forms, or reflective analyses based on practice accounts. The incorporation of non-written material such as photographs and artifacts is also welcomed. Article length should not exceed 4000 words.
Reviews of developments that impact on qualitative research and practice such as qualitative analysis software and voice activated recording devices.
This journal accepts supplementary materials, e.g. audio/video files, datasets, additional images etc. For more information please see our guidelines
"Qualitative Social Work has become an extraordinary resource for social scientists and practitioners alike." Catherine Kohler Riessman, Boston College, USA
"QSW is a key reference source both for substansive studies and for methodological papers." Mike Fisher, Social Care Institute for Excellence, UK
"In five short years Qualitative Social Work has become a pre-eminent journal, showcasing the range, usefulness and forms of qualitative social work research. This journal has been long-overdue." Norman K. Denzin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
"Qualitative Social Work bridges the theory-practice divide by providing up-to-date field-based research that develops and tests the theoretical foundations of social work practice. Equally important, it brings the rigorous thinking of research to bear in investigating scholarly work on social work practice and issues. Both scholars and practitioners need access to this important resource." Michael Q. Patton, Ph.D.
"Qualitative Social Work provides a truly international forum for academics and practitioners to explore the interrelationship between qualitative research and knowledge practice in social work and related disciplines. In encouraging reflection on both the outcomes and processes of research and practice it will contribute to internationally relevant knowledge creation and quality practice. A journal of this stature is most welcome and long overdue." Joan Orme, Glasgow University
Electronic Access:
Qualitative Social Work is available to browse online.
Submit your manuscript today at https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/qsw.
Qualitative Social Work provides a forum for those interested in qualitative research and evaluation and in qualitative approaches to practice. The journal facilitates interactive dialogue and integration between those interested in qualitative research and methodology and those involved in the world of practice. It reflects the fact that these worlds are increasingly international and interdisciplinary in nature. The journal is a forum for rigorous dialogue that promotes qualitatively informed professional practice and inquiry.
In addition to articles on qualitative research, evaluation and practice, the journal promotes exchange and conversation on:
- The role of critical perspectives within social work
- The nature of reflective inquiry and practice
- Emerging applications of critical realism in social work
- The potential of social constructionist and narrative approaches to research and practice
The basic assumptions of all forms of research and of practice are being challenged. We invite journal contributors to engage with that challenge and to do so in the primary contexts of social work and the evaluation of practice. Practitioners and those articulating international and interdisciplinary perspectives are particularly encouraged to submit articles and commentary.
This journal accepts supplementary materials, e.g. audio/video files, datasets, additional images etc.
| Lisa Morriss | Lancaster University, UK |
| Lissette M Piedra | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA |
| Emily Keddell | University of Otago, New Zealand |
| Deirdre Lanesskog | California State University, San Bernardino, USA |
| Robyn Munford | Massey University, New Zealand |
| Deirdre Lanesskog | California State University, San Bernardino, USA |
| Yun Chen | University of Michigan, USA |
| Ian F Shaw | University of York, UK |
| Roy Ruckdeschel | Saint Louis University, USA |
| Xabier Ballesteros | Sector de Serveis Personals, Barcelona, Spain |
| Jan Fook | University of Vermont |
| Jane Gilgun | University of Minnesota, USA |
| Einat Peled | Tel Aviv University, Israel |
| Stanley L Witkin | University of Vermont, USA |
| Laura Abrams | UCLA, USA |
| Rafael Aliena | Universidad de Valencia, Spain |
| Ralf Bohnsack | Free University of Berlin, Germany |
| Simon Chan | University of Vermont, USA |
| Ronald Chenail | Nova Southeastern University, USA |
| Carol L. Cleaveland | George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA |
| Paula Doherty | University of Birmingham, UK |
| Andrew Durham | Warwickshire Council, UK |
| Zvi C. Eisikovits | University of Haifa, Israel |
| Barzoo Eliassi | Linnaeus University, Sweden |
| Guy Enosh | University of Haifa, Israel |
| Jerry Floersch | Case Western Reserve University, USA |
| Rich Furman | University of Washington, USA |
| Nick Gould | University of Bath, UK |
| Kim Holt | Northumbria University, UK |
| Margareta Hydén | Linköping University, Sweden |
| Dirk Jarre | c/o Deutscher Verein fur offentlich und private Fursorge, Frankfurt, Germany |
| Synnove Karvinen | University of Helsinki, Finland |
| Yasuhito Kinoshita | Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan |
| Larry Kreuger | University of Missouri-Columbia, USA |
| Walter Lorenz | Free University of Bolzano, Italy |
| Wendy Mitchell | Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA |
| Mary O'Connor | Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA |
| Tomofumi Oka | Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan |
| Joan Orme | University of Glasgow, UK |
| Bob Pease | Deakin University, Australia |
| Jason L. Powell | University of Liverpool, UK |
| Catherine Kholer Riessman | Boston College, USA |
| Khary Rigg | University of South Florida, USA |
| Amy Rossiter | York University, Toronto, Canada |
| Jan Jaap Rothuizen | National Institute for Social Education, Denmark |
| Jackie Sanders | School of Social Work, Massey University |
| Haluk Soydan | University of Southern California, USA |
| Jean Triegaardt | University of Pretoria, South Africa |
| Liz Trinder | University of Exeter, UK |
| Michael Ungar | Dalhousie University, Canada |
| Stephanie Wahab | Portland State University, USA |
| Susan White | University of Birmingham , UK |
| Karen Winter | Queen's University Belfast, UK |
Manuscript submission guidelines can be accessed on Sage Journals.