Innovation in Social Work Research: Integration of Wearable Technology and Artificial Intelligence

Social work as a profession prioritizes social change and development, centering human beings and social connectedness (International Federation of Social Workers, 2014). Social work research, therefore, is ultimately research about and with human beings to understand their lived experiences and support overall well-being. Typically, this research has relied on methods like surveys, qualitative interviews, focus groups, and photovoice, among others (Alston & Bowles, 2020). These traditional methods used by social work researchers can be complex and time-consuming (Engel & Schutt, 2014). Surveys can present issues such as unclear questions or oversimplification of participants’ experiences, leading to limited nuance. Meanwhile, qualitative methods can be more nuanced but time-consuming. If these methods are used in a traditional in-person format, they can create barriers for participants, including the need to travel to a location, pay for transportation, and arrange childcare for those with children (Baldwin et al., 2024). As the field of social work continues to evolve, research advances and intersects with emerging technologies, opening new possibilities for social work researchers to engage with humans in research contexts. Technology and its advancements have not been strangers to the profession of social work. Scholars have noted several benefits of technology, such as the availability of on-demand (available when users need it), flexible services and personalized services that provide users with easy access to digital support, adapting to their needs and cultures at their convenience (Berzin et al., 2015; Choi et al., 2019). These flexible approaches can make it easier for participants to access specialized interventions that may be more relevant to them rather than a generic one. For instance, Choi et al. (2019) discuss the implementation of an online intervention for Korean faith leaders that integrated the community’s cultural values and engaged participants through interactive avatars. Implementing this culturally tailored online training made the intervention accessible to participants from the comfort of their homes at a time convenient to them.