We used purposive sampling to recruit study participants from within child welfare who
represent a cogent example of a widespread and diverse sector of social work delivery. Inclusion
criteria included the requirement of at least 6 months front line child protection experience and
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either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in social work. Sampling was carried out in two
Canadian provinces, Ontario and Alberta, selected for their ability to increase variability within
the sample and for the existence of established social work networks available to the researchers.
These two provinces differ in terms of the political and the professional contexts and as a result
represent differing arenas of social work practice. In Alberta, social work is a regulated
profession under the provincial Health Professions Act and child welfare services are delivered
directly by the provincial government. In Ontario, registration with a professional association is
voluntary. Ontario delivers its child welfare programs through a decentralized Children’s Aid
Society. Samples in each province included workers from both urban and rural locations.
Recruitment was facilitated through mail-outs to available membership lists provided by each
province’s professional association, by advertising in local association newsletters and
publications, and by word of mouth (snowball sampling).