Methodological bias in social work education: the silence of quantitative approaches in students' research in Zimbabwe.

This study examines the factors contributing to the low utilization of quantitative research approaches among social work research students. A census sampling technique was employed to conduct a survey of 1268 students who had completed their final year research dissertations. The descriptive statis...

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Publicado en:Social Work Education Vol. 44; no. 5; pp. 1365 - 1386
Autores principales: Muzingili, Taruvinga, Magocha, John Chiwanza, Taruvinga, Raymond
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Aug2025
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Aug2025
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        atl: Methodological bias in social work education: the silence of quantitative approaches in students' research in Zimbabwe.
      aug:
        au:
          Muzingili, Taruvinga
          Magocha, John Chiwanza
          Taruvinga, Raymond
        affil:
          Department of Social of Social Work, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
          Department of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
          Department of Social Work, Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe
      su:
        Zimbabwe
        Quantitative research
        Qualitative research
        Social work education
        Research methodology
        Student research
        Education & training services industry
        Research bias
      sug:
        subj:
          Quantitative research
          Qualitative research
          Social work education
          Zimbabwe
          Other Individual and Family Services
          Vocational Rehabilitation Services
          Research methodology
          Student research
          Education & training services industry
          Research bias
      keyword:
        dissertations
        Methodology
        social work
        students
        dissertations
        Methodology
        social work
        students
      ab: This study examines the factors contributing to the low utilization of quantitative research approaches among social work research students. A census sampling technique was employed to conduct a survey of 1268 students who had completed their final year research dissertations. The descriptive statistics revealed that 81% (n = 1022) of social work students employed qualitative research, 16% (n = 208) used mixed methods, and only 3% (n = 38) utilized quantitative approaches. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed factors that were statistically significant (ρ<.05) in predicting low utilization of quantitative approaches that include; the supervisor's preference, the student's secondary education, training in research methods, competency in statistics, methodological flexibility and suitability, resources constraints, professional assistance, and fear of failure. These findings prompt recommendations for social work training institutions to enhance their research capacity, adopt co-supervisions, advocate for quantitative research, and prioritize continuous research mentorship in statistical tools.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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