Social work research serves multiple purposes, including informing practice, developing theories, and evaluating interventions.

Action research is not typically considered a type of social work research, as it is more focused on solving specific problems in practice settings rather than generating generalizable knowledge.

Ethical considerations are crucial in social work research to safeguard participants' rights, ensure the integrity of research findings, and maintain public trust.

Theory plays a multifaceted role in social work research, guiding the research process, explaining findings, and informing the development of interventions.

Participant observation is not as commonly used in social work research as the other methods listed, which are more structured and allow for more control over the data collection process.

Sampling is essential in social work research to ensure that the findings are representative, cost-effective, and generalizable to the wider population.

Quantitative and qualitative research differ in terms of data type, objectivity, and generalizability.

A literature review serves multiple purposes in social work research, including identifying existing research, gaps in the literature, and developing a theoretical framework.

Data analysis is crucial in social work research to organize data, identify patterns, test hypotheses, and draw conclusions.

Dissemination is essential in social work research to share findings with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, and to promote the use of research evidence in practice and policy.

Social work researchers often face challenges such as limited funding, difficulty accessing research participants, and ethical concerns related to human subjects research.

Emerging trends in social work research include increased use of mixed methods, community-based participatory research, and technology for data collection and analysis.

Collaboration in social work research is important for bringing together diverse perspectives, increasing resources, and promoting interdisciplinary research.

Ethical principles that guide social work research include respect for persons, justice, fairness, non-maleficence, and beneficence.

Social work researchers play a crucial role in promoting social justice by conducting research, advocating for policies, and educating the public about social justice issues.