Despite some important and pioneering work, social research in the field of mental health remains a relatively undeveloped area. However, with the implementation of the National Service Framework and associated strategies, it is becoming increasingly recognised that social aspects are significant, both in contributing to mental distress or breakdown, and in relation to recovery (Duggan et al, 2002; Department of Health, 2003 a, b and c; Social Exclusion Unit, 2004; Tew, 2005) – and thence there is a need to develop a more effective research and evidence base in this area.
The particular focus of this Paper is on establishing a foundation for social research in terms of underpinning values and preferred methodologies. These would need to be congruent with the emerging value base of modern mental health services (see, for example, Department of Health, 2004) and able to engage with the complexities of people’s social relationships, identities and experiences.
Many service users, carers and practitioners have been critical of existing mental health research – finding that it has not always asked the right questions, or asked them in the right way, so as to give them the effective tools that they needed in order to work towards empowerment and recovery. This Paper seeks to address these concerns. It aims to clarify and build on good research practice in order to encourage social research that is both ethical and practically useful.
By highlighting some of the theoretical, practical and ethical issues which may need to be thought through before embarking upon social research, it is hoped to make the task of the researcher somewhat easier, and to ensure that the research enterprise is more effectively ‘joined up’ with the interests and participation of other stakeholders such as service users, carers and practitioners. However, any such process of ‘joining up’ needs to recognise that mental distress is a contested domain, and that there will need to be space for working through what may be quite profound differences of perspective between stakeholders.
This paper also starts to explore what may be helpful and relevant criteria by which to evaluate research proposals – criteria which take account of wider considerations than just the soundness (or otherwise) of their internal logic. To this end, the Paper has been written collectively so as to build on a breadth of interest, experience and standpoint.
This Paper is intended to be useful to all stakeholders involved in the process of research, including:
Full paper can be downloaded here.
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