Social Work Research

Paper Code: 
25MSW124
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course will enable the studentsto understand social work research methods, ethical considerations, and their application to practice, preparing them to apply research findings to address social issues.

12.00
Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course

Title

25MSW124

Social Work Research

(Theory)

 

CO19: Examine the need for research in social work practice

CO20 : Competence in formulating hypothesis and theory building

CO21: Competence in research design.

CO22: Able to do measurement and sampling

CO23: Competence in datacollection,analysis and report writing

CO24:  Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction

 

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Power Point Presentations, Discussion, Tutorials,Case Studies

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self- learning assignments, Effective questions, Simulation, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation,Individual and group projects
 
Unit I: 
Basic Concepts
  • Social Work Research: Meaning, purpose(s) and process
  • Inductive and deductive reasoning; quantitative and qualitative data.
  • The Ethics and politics of social work research.
12.00
Unit II: 
Theory And Hypothesis
  • Theory and its Components: Meaning, functions and types of theory  
  • Variable and their relationships
  • Hypothesis – meaning, attributes of a sound hypothesis and types

 

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Research Design
  • Research design: Meaning, functions and characteristics of good research design
  • Research designs based on: Purpose-exploratory, descriptive, explanatory; Unit of analysis-case (individuals), group and community; Method-survey, case study, experimental, Time dimension-cross-sectional studies and longitudinal studies.
  • Evaluation and action research
  • Unobtrusive research: Contents analysis
12.00
Unit IV: 
Measurement and Sampling
  • Measurement and Scales: Meaning and levels of measurement, criteria of measurement quality; types of scales.
  • Sampling procedures: Probability and non-probability types; determination of size.
12.00
Unit V: 
Data Collection And Report Writing
  • Data collection techniques: Questionnaire, interview and observation; Participatory and rapid appraisal techniques.
  • Data Processing: Editing, classification, tabulation and coding.
  • Writing social work research: writing quantitative proposals and reports; qualitative proposals and reports.
Essential Readings: 
  • Ahuja. R, 2006, Research Methods, Jaipur: Rawat Publications.
  • Royse, David. 2008(5th edition). Research Methods in Social Work.New York: Thomson Publishing.
  • Singh R.S., 2013, Social Work Research, New Delhi: Anmol Publication
  • Reissman, Catherine K., 1994, Qualitative Studies in Social Work Research, New Delhi: Sage Publications.
  • Young, P.V., 1988. Scientific Social Surveys and Research. New Delhi: Prentice Hall.
  • Mukherjee N., 1993, Participatory Rural Appraisal, New Delhi: Concept Publishing

 

References: 
  • Marshall, Chatherine & Rossman, Grethcer B., 1995, Designing Qualitative Research (2nd Edition), New Delhi: Sage Publications.
  • Feldman, Martha S., 1995, Strategies for Interpreting Qualitative Data, New Delhi: Sage Publications.
  • Rubin. A. &Babbie E., 1989, Research Methods for Social Work, California: Wadsworth Publishing Co.
  • Patton, Michael Q., 1988, Qualitative Evaluation Methods. New Delhi: Sage Publications,
  • Swartz, Omar., 1997, Conducting Socially Responsible Research, New Delhi: Sage Publications.
  • Ramachandran, P., 1990, Issues in Social Work Research in India, Bombay: Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
  • Jayaram, N., 1989,  Sociology: Methods and Theory, Madras: McMillan.
  • Sarantakos, S., 2005, Social Research, London: Palgrave MacMillan.
  • Long Norman & Long An., 1992, ed. Battlefields of knowledge: The interlocking of theory and practice in Social Research and Development, London: Routledge.
  • Sirkin, R. Mark., 1995, Statistics for the Social Sciences, New Delhi: Sage Publications.

 

E-resources:

 

Journals:

  • Qualitative Social Work, Sage Publications
  • Research on Social Work Practice, Sage Publications

 

 

 

Academic Session: 
2025-26
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