Researchers are urging the social work community to start using a method called “discrete choice experiments” (DCEs) to better understand the needs and preferences of key stakeholders. Although this technique is common in other fields, it is rarely used in social work.
“Social workers interact with a wide range of stakeholders, from policymakers to those who use social services,” the researchers explain. “Yet, social work as a discipline lacks a standard method for gauging these stakeholders’ preferences, even though it’s crucial.”
Capturing stakeholder views
Traditional surveys can capture stakeholder views, but DCEs are specifically designed to assess how people prioritize one option over another. The researchers suggest that social work adopt DCEs as a valuable tool for understanding what matters most to stakeholders on various issues.
In a DCE, participants are asked to make choices in a series of hypothetical scenarios, each offering different alternatives. For instance, social work researchers might want to know what parents and caregivers value most when selecting mental health services for their children. A DCE could present different scenarios with various providers, treatment methods, costs, and locations, allowing caregivers’ choices to reveal their priorities.
Originally developed by marketing researchers, DCEs are now widely used in areas like transportation and healthcare. “DCEs are proven to capture preferences on a broad range of topics,” the authors note. “We simply want to use them more consistently in social work to address issues that matter to stakeholders.”
Understanding stakeholder needs and preferences can advance the field by helping researchers ask better questions and design more effective studies. Beyond research, knowing clients’ preferences will also make social workers more effective in practice. By adopting DCEs, the field of social work can better align its research, policy, and practice with the values and goals of the people it serves.
The researchers are optimistic that DCEs could foster stronger collaboration with stakeholders and lead to positive change.
