Methodological learning curve: predilection for qualitative over quantitative approaches in Zimbabwean social work dissertations.
This study examines the nature of competency required of social work students in qualitative and quantitative methods as well as the preferred learning period duration for the acquisition of proficiency in each method. Utilising a descriptive-correlational design, data was gathered from a sample of...
| Publicado en: | Social Work Education Vol. 44; no. 6; pp. 1561 - 1582 |
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| Autores principales: | , , , |
| Formato: | Artículo |
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Taylor & Francis Ltd
Sep2025
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ssf&AN=189522301&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ssf uiTerm: 189522301 longDbName: Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson) uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: jinfo: jid: 02615479 36Q jtl: Social Work Education issn: 02615479 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Sep2025 vid: 44 iid: 6 pid: 377 pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd artinfo: ui: 189522301 10.1080/02615479.2024.2411369 ppf: 1561 ppct: 21 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P size: 1.1MB tig: atl: Methodological learning curve: predilection for qualitative over quantitative approaches in Zimbabwean social work dissertations. aug: au: Muzingili, Taruvinga Taruvinga, Raymond Magocha, John Chiwanza Chidyausiku, Weston affil: Department of Social Work, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe Department of Social Work, Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe Department of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe Department of Social Work, Eswatini Medical Christian University, Mbabane, Eswatini su: Qualitative research Quantitative research Social services Academic dissertations Learning curve Research methodology Academic ability sug: subj: Qualitative research Quantitative research Social services Other Individual and Family Services Academic dissertations Learning curve Research methodology Academic ability keyword: learning curve Methodological choice research method social work dissertations Zimbabwe learning curve Methodological choice research method social work dissertations Zimbabwe ab: This study examines the nature of competency required of social work students in qualitative and quantitative methods as well as the preferred learning period duration for the acquisition of proficiency in each method. Utilising a descriptive-correlational design, data was gathered from a sample of 1268 social work students who completed their dissertations during their last year of study. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that social work students need a longer duration to acquire proficiency in quantitative research strategies as opposed to qualitative and mixed methodologies. The hazard function prediction analysis indicated a significant likelihood of quantitative approaches not being utilized in students' dissertations, in contrast to other approaches. In terms of course structure, the majority (72%) of social work students learned both qualitative and quantitative approaches simultaneously. A simple linear regression analysis revealed that the research course structure had a statistically significant effect (p <.05) in predicting the improvement in the learning curve for particular methodological methods. We propose that the research method course structure be customized to meet the specific needs of students, such as providing methodological training and capacity development, implementing a research mentorship programme, fostering a supportive learning environment in all methodological approaches, and promoting inter-professional collaboration. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: Article src: R language: English refInfo: copyright: @attributes: flag: N holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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