Applying a Human Rights Approach to Social Work Research and Evaluation: A Rights Research Manifesto by Tina Maschi, 2016, New York: Springer Cham Heidelberg, pp-99.
Acknowledging the very few available literature in Social Work Research and Evaluation that is harmonizing with International Social Work’s underlying principles of Social Justice and Human Rights, Tina Maschi’s published work “Applying a Human Rights Approach to Social Work Research and Evaluation - A Rights Research Manifesto”, is itself a written declaration that encourages the Social Workers to take meaningful decisions while planning and implementing research and evaluation in human rights issues and actions. The author, an associate professor at the Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in New York City, has developed this illuminative and practical manifesto out of her experiences in teaching-learning, research and evaluation and field practice. It is like a hand on guide that suggests for a holistic approach in Right Based Social Work research and evaluation.
This book is noteworthy from numerous fundamental grounds. First, the text offers both explanatory and theoretical details that explain important ideas, theories and approaches relating to the subject discussed. Through illustrations and exercises, it presents some informative aspects that factually augment the competence of the book to function as an instructive guide to understand Social Work research with Human Rights lens. Second, the book argues that the tenets of social work research and evaluation activities should be based on Human Rights which further facilitate social justice and Social change in the due process.
Precisely, this book is an upshot of a substantial contribution to the ‘research and evaluation’ literature as it emphasizes on few areas of the critical and holistic research, which are over and over again marginalized or neglected in “conventional” research literatures. The book brings out a clear distinction between Traditionalist and Human Rights approach to Social Work research and evaluation. Credibly the most remarkable facet of this text is its sharp presentation, particularly the way in which the author conveys the objectivity and importance, and explanations that highlight the aspects of Human Rights approach to Social Work research. Also, the presentations in the book are well balanced in terms of introducing and summarizing each chapter brilliantly, defining the key terms, explaining theory, analyzing case examples, exercises and explaining of various qualitative research designs that reflects the application * Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan –
of human rights approaches. The rich references at the end of every chapter demonstrate the depth of the research relating to this particular work.
This manifesto throws light on the research and evaluation process and empowers social workers with a structural vehicle employing right based approach to design research for working with people to make them self reliant. It also explains that a rights-based approach is applied to the decision-making process of research at all level. Thus, the author Tina Maschi has produced a manifesto that is convinced to appeal to the academicians, practitioners and scholars seeking a reader-friendly Human Rights Approach based Social Work research content.
The book consists of 7 chapters. There are two appendices, an index and supportive references given at the end of each chapter. Each chapter keeps up a connection to either a construct or a perspective of Rights Research Approach and ends up with brief summary and relevant exercises which enable the readers and practiceners to easily explore the chapter contents and its applications. The Foreword given by Shirley Gatenio Gabel (Series editor, SpringerBriefs in Right Based Approaches to Social Work, Fordham University, New York, NY, USA ) systematically clarifies the very concepts of Right based approach to Social Work and its application to Social Work Research. In her explanation she clearly differentiates between a rights research approach and a traditional research approach.
This book also includes illustrations and exercises that include designs on participatory research and evaluation, research methods, action steps and supportive references. A considerable focus may be paid upon the two important tables which shed light on the comparison of charity, needs, and rights-based approaches to social issues and social work practice at various levels. The author makes a special mark on the realization of personal freedom and empowerment as a precondition for using a rights research approach to work most effectively for contributing to Social change and to guide others through this parallel process.
In the introduction chapter, the author provides a brief idea about six theme based strategies for a right research approach which are (1) understanding and applying a human rights lens,(2) research that makes a difference, (3) informed decision-making, multiple perspectives, approaches, and methods, (4) social contexts, participation, and relational communication, (5) holistic data analysis, discerning meaning from narrative and numeric data, and (6) thoughtful sharing of findings (dissemination) and action. She sensibly illuminates how these six theme-based strategies can be applied to design and exercise participatory research in social work that engage critical thinking and analysis, facilitating significant participation of key stakeholders in their problem solving process and in bringing change within themselves as to enable them to bring change in the society.
Chapter two on Understanding and applying a Human Rights Lens as the first theme- based strategy provides a general idea of conceptualizing and executing a research and evaluation project. This chapter, as the author mentions, gives a clear understanding for the social workers of four important underlying considerations for their rights research and evaluation i.e.(1) the values and principles of a human right framework of UN, (2) guidance from relevant human rights instruments like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, (3) ease with human rights implementation mechanisms, and (4) knowledge and relevance of the central concepts for research that advances human rights and the mission of social work. This chapter also presents the values and principles and Rights research approaches in tabular form as to have a clear mention on the theme. It discusses about the human rights trilogy, which involves Human Rights Instruments, Universal declaration of Human Rights and implementation Mechanisms. The four important constructs or variables for the research and evaluation projects employing Rights Research Approach such as human rights, social justice, well-being and cultural relativism are well discussed here. Maschi simplifies “Cultural relativism as an overarching consideration in conceptualizing, implementing, and evaluating research from a rights research approach” (p.18).
Chapter three on Research and Evaluation that make a Difference as the second theme-based strategy of a rights research approach, explored how the social work profession traditionally has used research and evaluation to advance human rights to make a difference in the lives of common and marginalized people. The Advanced Generalist Public Health (AGPH) model is diagrammatically presented (p.25) and explained as an integrated model in which prevention and intervention strategies at the various levels of intervention i.e. micro, mezzo and macro levels can be used for the design, planning, and classification of research and evaluation research. The author says that the AGPH model incorporates the use of qualitative and quantitative methods of research and some times employs triangulation. It also uses alternative research methodologies that have relevance for a rights research approach. In this chapter, she cites many examples from contemporary work on aging and LGBT people involved in the criminal justice system emphasising quantitative, qualitative, and participatory action methods to build public responsiveness and create opportunity for advocacy.
The next chapter on Informed Decision-Making, Multiple Perspectives, Approaches, and Methods reviews the third theme-based strategy of a rights research approach that influence the inner experiences of a social worker’s informed decision-making process. In this chapter Maschi highlights how deductive (using existing knowledge) and inductive (generating knowledge) thoughts processes influence research that can contribute to an empowerment- based holistic approach to informed decision-making. This chapter highlights
on Photo voice: A Critical Qualitative Method with a case example (p.38).She introduces the Photo voice as a powerful visual tool to build public awareness that leads to Social change efforts. Theories such as empowerment and cumulative inequality were re-examined as existing theory that are unfailing in encouraging human rights and welfare; and developing monitoring interventions. The chapter ends up with a critical thinking based on case vignettes which is based on a mixed methods study on aging people in prison. Also, it suggests carrying out the Inductive and Deductive Orientation Assessment Survey (IDOAS; Maschi et al. 2012) in such cases, which is found in the chapter appendix (p.44).
Chapter five on Social Contexts, Meaningful Participation, and Relational Communication reconsiders how social workers could incorporate this rights research approach in their research and evaluation studies. Drawing from a human rights perspective and the core principles, it explores how the overall social context and participation and relational communication can be permeated in the whole research process regardless of any methods that are used. In the beginning itself the author clarifies on these terms by defining them by citing good examples (p.50).
This chapter briefly discusses about how research decision making and field work in social work is greatly influenced by social environment. It logically talks about the importance of proper decision making on sampling strategy in Social Work research. The author mentions “In a rights-based approach, social workers also should be aware of sampling strategies based on qualitative methods which also affect the scope of the social context and the degree of participation and relational communication with key stakeholders (p.55). According to her, qualitative components should always be incorporated through Observation, Participant Observation, Focus Group Discussions, Archival records, Documents, Artifact reviews etc. so as to capture the holistic experience of a person, group, setting, or situation. Practical information is offered on how to maximize the socio-cultural environment, the levels participation of stakeholders, and interviewing and observational techniques. The chapter concludes with some experiential exercises for social workers to practice these rights research techniques.
Chapter six focuses on Holistic Analysis, Discerning Meaning from Narrative and Numeric Data describes how the interpretation of both qualitative and quantitative data can be applied to human rights issues. It discusses the four steps of Rights Research Qualitative Data Analysis such as preparation, literal coding, cluster coding and visual coding (p.71-74). She also explains how rigor is important in all phases of qualitative research following a rights research approach and more specifically during the analysis. Few additional strategies for rigor discussed in this chapter are triangulation, prolonged engagement, peer debriefing and support, member checking, negative case analysis, and reflexivity .In this chapter, the author also discusses the use
of content analysis as method to review the empirical literature, policies, or transcripts which can be used by social workers to direct their research using a human rights lens. The chapter concludes with emphasizing on the importance of comprehensive analysis in making informed decision that leads to sustained social change which promotes human rights.
The seventh and last chapter titled Thoughtful Sharing and Action is the sixth theme based strategy of a rights research approach and highlights the proposed strategies and practices on how social workers can translate research and evaluation into actions which promote human rights and influence social change at the agency, community, and policy level. First, it reviews how persuasive communication skills in oral and written communication can be applied to research for social change. Second, it reviews agency and policy- level advocacy based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR; UN 1948). It concludes with closing remarks on how social workers can embrace research as a human right.
As discussed, this book introduces a human rights approach to social work research and evaluation, compares it to traditional research methods, and explains how to make it relevant to the real world social work research. The author draws from a human rights construction that includes dignity and respect for all persons, the universality and interrelatedness of basic rights, non-discrimination, participation, accountability, and transparency as its very underlying principles. This aims to increase competencies in how to apply a right based approach to research decision-making process from the problem formulation, research and practice design, and participatory action strategies that augment human rights. It is like a call to action for social workers to forge a rights-based research agenda that fosters empowerment.
Overall, this book is suggested as a resource for scholars, practitioners and academicians from Social Work interested in learning, teaching and practicing Human rights- based approaches to research and evaluation. Secondary readers should include practitioners and learners from allied discipline who are seeking illustrations of novel and pragmatic ways to structure their research courses and projects. Essentially, the authors provide an excellent guidebook for engaging in critical and structural social work research with applying Human Rights approach from beginning to its end. With the publication of this text, Tina Maschi has contributed to bridge the considerable gap in the literature experienced by social workers with a strong commitment to enhance capacities of individuals, groups and communities and contributing to human rights aims through their research endeavors. This book would be suitable as required reading in all level of study of Social Work Research Methods and/or can be recommended for supplementary reading for anyone seeking to enhance their expertise on research strategies that seek to create social change by realizing and exercising their human rights.
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