Trendspotter Methodology in Social Work Research

Beskrivelse

Trendspotter Methodology in Social Work Research.

Aim:
To present and discuss how trendspotter methodology is helpful in creating research-based knowledge that can inform swift responses to new forms of social problems and risk behaviors.

Background:
Unpredicted and fast-growing forms of social problems and risk behaviors increasingly unfold in the Nordic welfare states, such as new forms of vulnerability, poverty, homelessness, or drug use. As societies, we are often late in recognizing rapid changes, constructing research-based knowledge about them, and reacting appropriately and timely to new social problems and risk behaviors. We therefore need research designs and methodologies that enable us to spot such patterns early and secure relevant research-based knowledge that can inform relevant interventions.

Trendspotter methodology:
Originally developed by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA, 2018), trendspotter methodology offers a structured, rapid-assessment approach designed to explore emerging drug-related phenomena when research-based knowledge is non-existing, insufficient or delayed. It involves mixed-methods data collection, triangulation, multidisciplinary team engagement, but also practice development elements to generate timely, actionable insights. Our argument is that trendspotter methodology is relevant in social work research for several reasons. First, its emphasis on rapidity and practice responsiveness addresses the lag between the emergence of unexpected and fast-growing forms of social problems and construction of research-based knowledge to assess the extent and severity of the problem, and on this basis make timely responses. Second, its team-based, multidisciplinary structure mirrors the collaborative environments in which social workers operate, enabling joint interpretation of ‘weak signals’ from a variety of frontline staff on the emerging issues they experience. Third, the methodology’s systematic triangulation of different types of qualitative and quantitative data strengthens validity in contexts where formal datasets are sparse or incomplete, which is often the case with emerging issues and/or hard-to-reach populations. We discuss the potential of using trendspotter methodology in social work research by drawing on examples from an ongoing Danish research project on nitrous oxide use for intoxication.

Researching nitrous oxide use for intoxication with trendspotter methodology:
The immediate political response to nitrous oxide use for intoxication was to implement legal restrictions regarding sale and possession of the substance in Denmark. However, these restrictions have unexpectedly caused a new and more risky use of nitrous oxide for intoxication. We argue that trendspotter methodology can produce: a) early-stage data on the extent of this form of nitrous oxide use, b) knowledge on how it manifests in different professional and social contexts, and c) how ongoing interactions with and inclusion of various relevant professionals throughout the process of data generation and analysis construct knowledge relevant to develop timely responses to this form of nitrous oxide use for intoxication.

Discussion:
We suggest that trendspotter methodology holds the potential to serve as an innovative rapid assessment tool with the possibility of supporting evidence-informed decision-making, and thus ultimately improving the responsiveness and relevance of services for citizens in vulnerable positions. We present the potential benefits of employing this methodology to the broader field of social work research and discuss the limitations of doing so.

Periode	15 jun. 2026
Begivenhedstitel	FORSA
Begivenhedstype	Konference
Placering	AarhusVis på kort
Grad af anerkendelse	International