Evidence Library
Title: Collaborative evaluation with service users: Moving towards user-controlled research.
Author: Evans, C. & Fisher, M
Date Published: 1999
Reference: I Shaw & J Lishman (eds), Evaluation and Social Work Practice (pp101-117). London: Sage
Are service users or carers authors: Yes
Abstract:
The authors argue that social workers should consider how they can support service users to carry out their own research and ensure that evaluation is user-led.
The authors describe the experiences of involvement in research of the Wiltshire and Swindon Users' Network and the Leonard Cheshire Disabled People's Forum. These experiences range from being researched, where service users had a passive role, through to collaboration with researchers and ultimately to research controlled by service users.
They describe a user-controlled piece of research (an evaluation of an Independent Living Fund), how users had an impact on the research ethics and on how the research was undertaken. They also describe the training members undertook. Finally, they outline the skills and commitment required of social workers if they are to assist service users to undertake their own research. They call for an "empowerment research agenda" which should be taken forward jointly by social workers and service users.
Related entry: none currently available
Categories: social care
Undertaking research
impact on research ethics
impact on service users involved
impact of public involvement
reflecting on public involvement in research
book chapter
Recruitment
Date Entered: 2007/02/20
Additional Info: