**3. Methodology**

The entrance of mixed methods research forces itself on contemporary research. The idea of merging social scientific research methodologies has lately acquired traction through a study series titled mixed methods research (MMR) through the social and behavioral sciences [33]. The employment of the descriptive analytical approach with content analysis of the theoretical literature on the development of the profession demonstrates the dependence on the mixed approach. Then, a research sample was used, which included several studies, research, and theoretical literature dealing with the global and local development of the social work profession from its recognition stage until now. These studies and theoretical literature were collected through the Internet and manual research. The researcher completed this chapter by giving the findings and suggestions of one of his descriptive-analytical studies on private practice in the Sultanate of Oman. The researcher employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The social survey method by sampling to obtain data for that study. The sample includes school social workers and experts from the Sultanate of Oman's Ministry of Social Development and Ministry of Education, as well as two groups of recent social work graduates. Then, the school social workers in the Sultanate of Oman (n = 1170) serve as the sample frame. According to Cochran, the sample size is adequate when the sample taken from the study population is between (5%, 7%, or 10%) of the total population [34]**.** After analyzing a list of all of the Sultanate of Oman's schools, which were classified according to the educational stage, the sample's 117 units were drawn using systematic random sampling. Then, out of tens of social workers, one social worker was picked at random. The questionnaire forms were distributed to all of the sample units. 110 forms were returned by the sample population. Six of the forms were eliminated after a thorough examination because their data was incomplete. As a result, the sample size was limited to only 104 units. The sample for the qualitative research method consisted of seven experts and twenty-six graduates divided into two focus groups. The first group had 14 graduates, while the second had 12.

#### **3.1 The reality of private practice social work agencies in the Omani sultanate**

The enduring profession of social work is now in its second century. Grounded in core values, it has withstood major political, social, and economic changes over time. The scope of its knowledge and skill continues to grow as the profession responds to

#### *Private Practice Social Work in the Arab World: Sultanate of Oman as a Model DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106284*

developing needs in the United States and all over the world.. Many social workers are in the forefront, shaping public policies, advancing client interventions, and influencing research agendas [35]. The reality of private practice social work varies greatly among societies; this distinction may be attributed to a society's culture, differentiation, and the nature of its problems. For the Arab world, every Arab country has its unique culture, which might influence the kind and level of private practice social work.

Social work will continue to strive to prove its efficacy in society, either by boosting social workers' professionalism and competence in well-known conventional domains or by entering new areas forced by rising and evolving social requirements. To be qualified to execute the duties that society expects of it, it must respond to societal needs and progress the components and parts of the profession [36]. Those who are aware of the state of professional social work practices in many Arab countries recognize the significance of making further efforts to enhance and develop this situation. As a result, it has been regarded as suffering from numerous crises in terms of research and practice, as well as a lack of conceptualizing.

Saleh [37] conducted descriptive research to become familiar with the realities of private social work practice and the extent of the need for it in Omani society, as well as identify the obstacles that hinder the spread of the private practice of social work agencies in Omani society, in addition to offering suggestions to overcome these obstacles. This research yielded several relevant findings concerning the reality of private social work practice and the obstacles that hinder its agencies in Oman, which will be discussed in the following pages.

Despite the high level of demand in society, the growth of private professional practice agencies in Oman is limited in comparison to the growth of such agencies in Arab and Gulf countries. While many school-based social workers have stated that the lack of private practice social work agencies puts them in a difficult position, they have only limited options for a referral from government or commercial agencies. Saleh's 2006 study confirmed this, emphasizing the lack of specialized agencies in school social work (governmental or private), which may limit social workers' thinking in implementing referrals for cases that require it, and they are satisfied with the services they can provide based on their qualifications. This may limit social workers' thinking in implementing referrals for cases that require them, and they are satisfied with the services they can provide based on their skills and experience, as well as the fact that Omani society lacks such organizations that can contribute to providing social, psychological, and counseling services for schoolchildren [38].

Due to the growth in divorce rates in Omani culture, Saleh [37] and Al-Hashemia [39] showed that Omani society needs a variety of private practice agencies, including family and marital counseling clinics [39]. The need for counseling and psychological guidance centers, psychiatric clinics, and psychological and behavioral rehabilitation centers also appears; Al-Subhia [40] emphasized the urgent need for counseling services in various fields and educational, social, and educational agencies [40]. Al-Wahaibia [41] also emphasized the need for addiction treatment centers [41]. On the other hand, The National Center for Statistics and Information report emphasized the low need for private organizations to care for older adults. The Omani family provides excellent care for the older adults and does not allow their residents in private organizations unless there are no relatives to care for them [42]. Recently, a report from the Ministry of Social Development stated a noticeable spread of private rehabilitation centers, which reached 37 centers in Oman.
