Social work research

Understand the Meaning of Research, Social Research & Social Work Research and How Social Workers should do Research ?Social Work Research is the application of Research methods to the production of knowledge that Social Workers need to solve problems they confront in the practice of Social Work.Learn the types of Types of Social Work Research

1. Session I : Review
Meaning of Research, Social Research & Social Work
Research
Dr.PANKAJ DAS
Assistant Professor
YASHWANTRAO CHAVAN SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, SATARA
www.ycssw.edu.in

2. Reference Books you must go through

3. ForSocialWorkers,knowledgeofresearchismust.
HowSocialWorkersshoulddoResearch?(BritishCodeofEthicsforSocial
Work,BritishAssociationofSocialWorkers,2000).
NationalAssociationofSocialWorkers,U.S.A.,CodeofEthics,Section
5.02includes‘EvaluationandResearch’.
AustralianAssociationofSocialWork4.5.2‘Research’,AASW2000,p.20.
Reference : Margaret Alsten & Wendy Bowels ‘Research for Social Workers : An Introduction to Methods’, p.22)
Why Research is important for Social Workers ?

4. Researchhelpstodevelopanalyticalskills.AResearchercollects
information(data)toanalyzeandinterpretandtopresentfindingtoothers.
Researchplayssignificantroleintheorybuilding.
MotivationinResearch:
Desiretogetaresearchdegreealongwithitsconsequentialbenefits;To
thosestudentswhoaretowriteamaster’sorPh.D.thesis,researchmay
meanacareerismorawaytoattainahighpositioninthesocialstructure.
Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e.,
concern over practical problems initiates research;
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work;
Desire to be of service to society;
Desire to get respect.
Why Research is important for Social Workers ?
Reference: Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, C.R. Kothari, p.2

5. MotivationinResearch:
•To professionals in research methodology, research may mean a
source of livelihood;
•To philosophers and thinkers, research may mean the outlet for
new ideas and insights;
•To literary men and women, research may mean the development of
new styles and creative work;
•To analysts and intellectuals, research may mean the generalizations
of new theories.
•Thus, research is the fountain of knowledge for the sake of
knowledge
Why Research is important for Social Workers ?
Reference: Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, C.R. Kothari, p.2

6. “Quality means doing it right when no one is
looking”.
Henry Ford
At the end of the session you will learn:
1. What is Science?
2. What is Social Science ?
3.What is Research?
4. Meaning and Definition of Social Science
Research?
5.BasicclassificationofResearch.
7.MeaningandDefinitionofSocialWorkResearch?

7. •Science-Latin Word Scienta=‘To Know’
•Science is systematic(methodological) and evidence based
study of particular phenomena or event.
•Science relies on Facts& truths.
•Fact:Water is combination of H2+O=H2O
•Truth: Law of Gravitation
1. What is Science?

8. •Themainconcernofallsciencesistocontributeto
knowledge.
•Peopleacquireknowledgebyvariousmethods.e.g.
observation,experience,learningetc.whichmaybeaffected
byindividualbiasness.
•HenceitwasfeltnecessarytoevolveaScientificmethodby
whichindividualthinkinghasnoeffectonconclusion.
1. What is Science? Continued…

9. •AccordingtoGeorgeLundberg(1946)Scientificmethod
consistsofthreesteps:SystematicObservation,
ClassificationandInterpretationofData.
•Throughthesesteps,scientificmethodbringsverifiabilityand
validityofconclusions.
•Thus,Scienceisanattempttoacquireknowledgebyusinga
particularmethod.
1. What is Science? Continued…

10. •SocialScienceisconcernedwithunderstanding
society,itsnatureandworking.
•e.g.Socializationprocess,SocialStructure,Social
Stratification,SocialChange,Socialmobility,
Poverty,Migrationetc.
2. What is Social Science?

11. Research involves asking questions and attempting to
answer them systematically and scientifically
(Whether we realize or not, we are involved in research like activities)
Research is a systematic study of a subject to gain
new knowledge.
3. What is Research ?

12. Why to ask Questions ? What is the need of seeking answers of
critical things?
“All progress is born of inquiry. Doubt is often better than
overconfidence, for it leads to inquiry, and inquiry leads to
invention” -Hudson Maxim
A Sociology student wants to know why there is sudden increase in
incidents of domestic violence against women in particular
geographical area?
APsychologystudenthastofindoutwhyadolescentsareattracted
towardsdrugaddiction?
3. What is Research ?

13. Scientific Research Social Research
5. Basic classification of Research
Systematic and critical
investigation of natural
phenomenon (occurrence)
Social Research is the process of
systematically acquiring data to
answer a question or solve a
problem of casual relationship in
human behavior

14. SocialScienceResearchpertainstostudythesubjectrelatedto
Societysuchaspoverty,illiteracy,migrationetc.
SocialScienceResearchistheprocessofsystematically
acquiringdatatoansweraquestionorsolveaproblemofcasual
relationshipinhumanbehavior.
6. What is Social Science Research ?

15. SocialWorkResearchistheapplicationofResearchmethodstothe
productionofknowledgethatSocialWorkersneedtosolveproblems
theyconfrontinthepracticeofSocialWork.
E.g.ASocialWorkerwonderswhatdifferenceMGNREGA
programmehasbroughtinthelivesofpoorpeople?
ASocialWorkEducatorwantstofindouttheattitudeheldbySocial
WorkersregardingReligionandSpirituality
7. What is Social Work Research ?

16. Types of Social Work Research
INTERVENTION RESEARCH
(Core Area)
RESEARCH IN SOCIAL WORK
(Academic)
To measure the effectiveness of
Social Welfare programme.
To study the Social Work education
structure , to examine the
knowledge base of social work.
ImpactofMGNREGAprogramme
onsocioeconomicwellbeingofdaily
wagelaborersinSatarataluka
AttitudeofSocialWorkeducators
inMaharashtratowardsReligion
andSpirituality

17. End of Session
Next
Steps in Social Research &HYPOTHESIS