Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Module 2
Component 1A
Component 1B
Description of Module
Quadrant 1
1. Introduction
In the previous module, we learnt about scientific research. This module will focus on explaining how
scientific research can be used in the social work profession.
Scenario 1
A student social worker has been given the task to initiate a new program with a women’s group in a
slum community as part of her block placement. So the student social worker decides to talk to the
group of women and ask them what programs would be most suitable for them.
Scenario 2
An NGO wants to replicate its community teacher program in other areas and needs to raise funds for
this. The social worker in charge of the program approaches some of the teachers who have been part
of their program since its inceptions and writes down their stories.
Scenario 3
A senior social worker wants to evaluate the success of the vocational training program run by the
NGO for over 5 years. The senior social worker asks the grass root workers to contact to at least 10
percent of the youth who have been part of the vocational training program and get information from
them on how the vocational training program benefited them.
Scenario 4
An NGO which has been working in the eastern suburbs of Mumbai for more than 10 years wants to
expand its outreach to central suburbs. The staff members of the NGO identify one community in the
nearby central suburb for the initial intervention and visit each house in that community to get data.
In each of the above situations, the social workers are collecting first- hand information or primary
data from their past, current or future clients. They will then compile the collected data, make sense of
it (analyse it) and use it to either initiate new programs (provide new insights into what the clients
require as in Scenarios 1 and 4) or raise funds (the data will provide support the fact that this program
is successful as in Scenario 2) or bring about changes in the existing program (challenge and change
the known as in Scenario 3).
In the previous module, we learnt that research involved collecting primary data, analysing it and
comparing the data to support known information or challenge known information or provide new
insights into what is known. In other words, research is carried out in all the above scenarios.
When deciding which type of research is best suited for your project, it is essential to look at the goals
and reason for doing the research. You should choose the type of research which is most closely
linked to your goals and rationale.
Please refer to Module 1 for more information on each of the stages given above. Please also refer to
Modules 4 and 5 for detailed information on conducting literature reviews and writing research
proposals respectively.
Needs Assessment Reports are based on needs assessment studies. These reports not only
provide the organisation with a clear picture of the needs of the future beneficiaries of a
project, they can also help the organisation in planning the projects based on the needs of the
people. The data from such a report can also be used for raising funds for the project.
Evaluation Reportsare based on evaluation researches which may use qualitative, quantitative
or mixed methods. It is an essential aspect of an evaluation research and focuses on
presenting the results as well as suggestions for improving the project/issue being evaluated.
Desk Research Reports: Desk research or desktop research is often called secondary research.
Such reports focuses on gathering and analyzing information, already available in
print or published on the internet (http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/desk-
research.html#ixzz2umr7vA5X)
Case Study Reports: Case studies are a qualitative research method which focuses on
collecting detailed information about a person or a group or even an organisation. Such
reports are often used to tell the ‘story’ of the person or a group or organisation being
researched and hence are based on the perception and memories of the people involved.
9. Summary
9.1 Social work research is a systematic process which involved collecting of data and analysing with
a view to enabling social workers to provide services and programs to their beneficiaries/clients in a
more effective manner.
9.2 Social work research can make use of qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods.
9.3 The stages of social work research are the same as those in any scientific research.
9.4 There are many different types of social work research and research reports. The choice of the
type of research and report should be made keeping in mind the goals of the research study.
9.5 The areas for social work research emerge from the different settings for the social work
profession as well as the varied groups with whom the social work professionals intervene.
References
1. Johnson, R. B., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Turner, L. A. (2007). Toward a definition of
mixed methods research. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 112–133.
2. Mc Burney, D.H. (1994) Research Methods (3rd Ed.) California: Brooks/Cole Publishing
Company.
3. Nkwi, P., Nyamongo, I., & Ryan, G. (2001). Field research into socio-cultural issues:
Methodological guidelines. Yaounde, Cameroon, Africa: International Center for Applied Social
Sciences, Research, and Training/UNFPA
4. Patton, M. Q. (1991) Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods. USA: Sage.
5. Robson, C. (2002). Real World Research. A resource for social scientists and practitioner-
researchers (2nd Ed.) Oxford: Blackwell.