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Psycho-Social Methods in Social Work Research
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01 November 2026

There is a growing interest in the use of psycho-social research methods but what is involved when researchers get up close and personal to human feelings, activities and interactions in a social work setting?
This book brings together the work of academics, post-doctoral and doctoral researchers to lift the lid on psycho-social approaches in practice. Each chapter draws on empirical research to demonstrate how creative and reflexive psycho-social methods – ranging from arts-based inquiry to voice-centred analysis – can generate rich insights into lived experience and deepen understanding of professional relationships, organisational life and the everyday challenges of social work.
The book features:
• Critical reflections on the affordances and challenges of diverse psycho-social research methods;
• ‘Core principles and practices to consider’ boxes at the end of each chapter for practical application; and
• Case studies demonstrating how psycho-social methods operate in real-world research settings.
This accessibly-written resource provides readers with practical guidance, critical reflection and frameworks that promote both intellectual and professional development.
Gillian Ruch is Emeritus Professor of Social Work at the University of Sussex.
Michelle Lefevre is Professor of Social Work at the University of Sussex. She previously trained and practised as a social worker and arts psychotherapist, particularly in the context of safeguarding.
1. Context
2.Theoretical and conceptual frameworks
Part 1: Generating Research Material
3. Developing a theoretical framework for practice near research - Ben O’Farrell
4. Using music and imagery to open up self-narratives - Matt Ellis
5. Co-developing creative psycho-social methods of inquiry - Jo Williams
6. Use of auto-ethnography within a psychosocial framework – Rachel Larkin
7. Observation and practice-near social work research - Helen Hingley-Jones
8. Applying the voice-centred relational method - Makhan Shergill
9. Using arts-based methods in data analysis - Louise Sims
Part 2: Analysing Research Material
10. Generative metaphors and new ways of thinking about practitioner-parent relationships - Rachael Owens
11. Getting closer to the data/ Understanding social workers’ lived experiences - Paul Dugmore
12. An autoethnographic exploration of black women’s experience of leadership and management in social work organisations - Shantel Thomas
13. Learning to think and feel together in a large research team - Michelle Lefevre and Gillian Ruch
14. Conclusion - Michelle Lefevre and Gillian Ruch