The Textbooks

These research textbooks provide step-by-step instructions for conducting the Practitioner Research method. The books can be used as a manual over the course of the complete research cycle or they can serve as a reference book while conducting one of the key components of practitioner research.
Each key component describes logical steps that can be undertaken, as well as specific techniques and methods for conducting the relevant tasks associated with each step. There are several editions of the book as it has been published in different countries for different professional fields. In the near future new editions are expected to be published.

research textbook

Practitioner Research for Social Work, Nursing, and the Health Professions

Payam Sheikhattari, Michael T. Wright, Gillian B. Silver, Cyrilla van der Donk, and Bas van Lanen
JHU Press, 2022

An invaluable tool for health and social work students and professionals who want to improve their practice through collaborative research with patients, clients, and colleagues.

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  • Aims both at students and seasoned practitioners
  • Based on a bestseller originally published in the Netherlands
  • Offers a clear step-by-step method to conduct practitioner research
  • Contains many practical examples which illustrate the method in practice
  • Provides a research methodology for addressing practice problems
  • Links research methodology to the particular characteristics of daily practice
  • Positions the research methodology in its scientific context
  • Connects research to innovation and professional learning
  • Improves interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration
  • Provides many opportunities for stakeholder participation
  • The textbooks are extremely useful for students and professionals in the fields of social work and health care, in particular:
  • Students in social work, nursing and the health professions majors/courses;
  • Managers and coaches who coach students or professionals conducting practitioner research
  • Professionals in who want to improve their own professional practice and want to enhance their professional competencies through practitioner research.
  • The textbooks may also be of value to professionals in other service environments (e.g. education or tourism). A Dutch textbook is available for practitioners in education. Translations of this textbook will follow
  • The textbooks are available in the following languages:
  • English
  • German
  • Portuguese
  • Dutch
Praktijkonderzoek in zorg en welzijn

Praktijkonderzoek in zorg en welzijn
[Practitioner Research in social work and health care]

Cyrilla van der Donk and Bas van Lanen
Uitgeverij Coutinho, Third edition (2019), First edition (2011)

The bestseller originally published in the Netherlands inspired many students and professionals in the fields of social work and health care to improve their professional competencies and daily practice.

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Praxisforschung

Praxisforschung im Sozial- und Gesundheitswesen
[Practitioner Research in social work and health care]

Michael T. Wright, Cyrilla van der Donk and Bas van Lanen
Hogrefe Verlag (ehem. Verlag Hans Huber), 2014

The German edition allows students and professionals in the fields of social work and health care to create bridges between science and professional practice.

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Pesquisa Integrada a Prática

Pesquisa Integrada a Prática: Nos Campos da Saúde e da Assistência Social [Practitioner Research: in the fields of health care and social work]

Maria Elisabeth Kleba, Cyrilla van der Donk, Bas van Lanen and Michael T. Wright
Editora Appris, 2023

The Portuguese Brazilian edition allows students and professionals in the fields of social work and health care to create bridges between science and professional practice.

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Praktijkonderzoek in de school

Praktijkonderzoek in de school
[Practitioner Research in education]

Cyrilla van der Donk and Bas van Lanen
Uitgeverij Coutinho, Fourth edition (2021), First edition (2009)

The bestseller originally published in the Netherlands inspired many students and professionals in the field of education to improve their professional competencies and daily practice.

Buy this textbook