| Abstract [eng] |
This master’s thesis analyzes trends in social work research based on the abstracts submitted to the 13th European Social Work Research Association (ESWRA) Conference. The object of the research is the submitted presentations; the central research problem lies in how contemporary research directions are reflected within the academic context of this conference. The aim of the study is to identify current trends in social work research based on the 13th ESWRA Conference. A quantitative research strategy was applied: 614 abstracts from the Oxford Abstracts database were coded and analyzed using the JASP statistical analysis software. The results revealed a distinct regional imbalance: most submissions originated from Northern and Western Europe, while contributions from Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe were minimal. However, this is partly expected, as ESWRA is a European association whose activities are focused primarily on the European context, making the involvement of other regions naturally limited. A statistically significant relationship was found between the presenter's country and the success of abstract acceptance. Gender analysis showed that although female researchers significantly outnumbered male researchers (3:1), gender had no influence on acceptance outcomes, indicating neutrality in the selection process. The majority of submissions were empirical (92.3%), with qualitative studies dominating (64.1%). Only 8.9% of studies were international in scope, despite ESWRA’s emphasis on networking and collaboration. Thematically, most studies focused on service users (44.2%), especially children, youth, and individuals with dependencies. Meanwhile, less attention was paid to areas such as social work education and training (8.3%). A total of 35.9% of submissions directly addressed the conference theme related to digitalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The findings suggest a need to encourage research on underrepresented service user groups (e.g., older adults, refugees, ethnic minorities) and to expand research on social work education - particularly in the context of technological change and its impact on professional practice. |
