MODULE – I

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK

RESEARCH
Need for body of knowledge to social work:
Professional social work practice needs to be
constantly updated with the knowledge repertoire
in social work. The occurrence of drastic changes
and dynamics in the society draws the attention
of social work practitioners to efficiently apply
social work research and add more knowledge to
the profession.
Knowledge generated by the other disciplines
such as sociology, economics, anthropology,
psychology is more useful to the social work
profession. Since, these knowledge act as the
fundamental elements for social work practices
to begin with. Social work profession as such
deals with solving problems affecting the
individuals, groups and communities. Problem
affecting individuals groups and communities
need to be studied only on the basic knowledge of
understanding human society, web of
relationships, pattern of interaction, culture and
so on that is derived out of social research
stemming out from other disciplines.
Keeping the base of knowledge generated by
other disciplines the social work profession need
to progress through strategies and intervention
required to find solution to problems affecting
individuals, groups and community from time to
time.
Knowledge in social work need to be further
developed in order to popularize the specific
fields and avenues of social work, standardized
methods, process and professional skills required
to practice the profession with more clarity and
authenticity. This in turn can elevate our
profession to achieve greater heights and
improved status and acceptance in the society.
In this context, there is always a dire need for
tested and proved body of knowledge to social
work profession, various types of knowledge such
as practice policy planning, administration,
research, education and training is required.
Social workers require updated knowledge that
has the ability to make social transformation and
change.
Meaning of Research:
In general research refers to “search for
knowledge”. It can be also considered as a
scientific and systematic search for pertinent
information on a specific topic. It is also an “art
of scientific investigation”. It can be also
systematized endeavor to obtain new knowledge.
Researchers consider research to be “a movement
from the known to the un known”.
According to CLIFFORD WOODY, research
comprises, defining and redefining problems,
formulating hypothesis, collecting, organizing
and evaluating data, making deductions and
researching conclusions and at last carefully
testing the conclusions to determine whether
they fit the formulated hypothesis.
Research is thus an original contribution made
by the researcher to bring about advancement in
the existing stock of knowledge.
Meaning of Social Research:
Society is an organized group of persons
associated together with shared objective, norms
and values pertaining to the society. People have
social life and social process. Research is
systematic and organized effort to investigate a
specific problem that needs a solution. It
contributes to the general body of knowledge. It
also corrects human knowledge. Social research
now can be defined as the systematic and
objective analysis and recording of controlled
observations that may lead to the development of
generalization, principles or theories resulting in
prediction and possibly ultimate control of events
in society. It attempts to answer or solve social
problems.
Definition of Social Research:
According to C.A. Moser: “Social Research is a
systematized investigation to gain new knowledge
about social phenomenon and problems.”
According to P.V. Young: “Social Research is a
scientific undertaking which by means of logical
methods, aim to discover new facts or old facts
and to analyze their sequences,
interrelationships, casual explanations and
natural laws which govern them.”
Objectives of social research:
 To facilitate the understanding of human
behavior. ™
 To acquire knowledge about social
phenomena, events, issue, problems etc. ™
 To identify functional relationship existing in
the social phenomena. ™
  To find out the natural laws that regulates or
directs social phenomena. ™
 To standardize the society concept, e.g.
culture, struggle, generation gap, social
distance etc. ™
 To formulate solution to social problems. ™
 To maintain social organization, remove social
tension, misconception, etc ™
 To develop social revival plan.
Meaning of Social Work Research:
Social Work Research is the application of
research methods to solve problems that social
workers confront in the practice of social work. It
provides information that can be taken into
consideration by social workers prior to making
decisions, that affect their clients, programmes or
agencies such as use of alternative intervention
techniques or change or modification of
programme / client / objectives and so forth.
Following are some of the situations which call
for application of social work research methods
and techniques:
 A social caseworker is interested in assessing
the nature and extent of the problem of her
client who has been facing marital
maladjustment. She may be interested in
obtaining information about the actual or
potential effectiveness of the client. She may
also be keen to know to what extent the
intervention would be effective.
 A group worker wishes to assess the extent to
which the technique of role play is more or
less effective than group discussion in
increasing knowledge of drug abuse among
school going children.
 A community organiser wants to know the
views of the community before he takes a
decision to change the programme /
objectives.
  A director of special school for mentally
retarded children wants to know whether
group therapy is as effective as individual
therapy in increasing adaptability of mentally
retarded children.
 A social work administrator is concerned
about effectiveness of implementation of new
programme launched.
Definition of social work research:
Social work research may be defined as
systematic investigation into the problems in
the field of social work. The study of concepts,
principles, theories underlying social work
methods and skills are the major areas of social
work research. It involves the study of the
relationship of social workers with their clients;
individuals, groups or communities on various
levels of interaction or therapy as well as their
natural relationships and functioning within
the organizational structure of social agencies.
While on the theoretical side, social work
research re-examines the body of knowledge;
concepts and theories, whereas in the area of
social work practice it tries to evolve a
systematic theory and valid concepts, to know
the efficacy of different methods/interventions
of social work as to search for
alternate/innovative interventions and
treatments.
Social work research, therefore, concerns itself
with the problems faced by social workers. It
encompasses those questions which are
encountered in social work practices or in
planning or administering social work services
which can be solved through research and
which are appropriate for investigation under
social work auspices.
Social work research utilizes the same scientific
methods and techniques, as does social
research. No doubt, when some (research
designs) procedures of social research are not
 suitable to social work research it would be
necessary to develop the tools which would be
appropriate to social work research.
Objectives of social work research:
 To provide knowledge about interventions or
treatments that help in achieving social
work goals.
 To find out solution to problems faced by
social work practitioners in the practice of
their profession.
 To build knowledge base for social work
theory and practice
Scope of Social Work Research:
Social work profession has a scientific base,
which consists of a special body of knowledge;
tested knowledge, hypothetical knowledge and
assumptive knowledge. Assumptive knowledge
requires transformation into hypothetical
knowledge, which in turn needs transformation
into tested knowledge. Social work research has
significant role in transforming the hypothetical
and assumptive knowledge to tested knowledge.
Not all concepts or theories that are used by
professional social workers have been tested and
validated. Concerted efforts through social work
research are very much required to conceptually
articulate and validate the concepts and theories,
which will in turn strengthen the scientific base
of professional social work.
Identification of social work needs and resources,
evaluation of programmes and services of social
work agencies are some of the areas in which
social work researches are undertaken. Social
work research may be conducted to know the
problems faced by professional social workers in
social work agencies and communities in its
concern with social work functions. Thus, social
work research embraces the entire gamut of
social work profession; concepts, theories,
methods, programmes, services and the problems
faced by social workers in their practice.
The areas of social work research may be broadly
categorized as follows:
1) Studies to establish, identify and measure
the need for service.
2) To measure the services offered as they
relate to needs.
3) To test, gauge and evaluate results of social
work intervention.
4) To list the efficacy of specific techniques of
offering services.
5) Studies in methodology of social work.
Social work is a diverse profession, possible
broad research areas could be:
i) Community Development
ii) Community Health (Including Mental
Health)
iii) Child Welfare
iv) Women Welfare
 v) Youth Welfare
vi) Aged Welfare
vii) Welfare of SC & ST Groups
viii) Poverty Alleviation
ix) Physical and Mental Disabilities
x) Juvenile Delinquency
xi) Crime and Correction etc.
xii) Management of Social Welfare Department
and Organisation
xiii) Disaster Management
xiv) Industrial Social Work
xv) Issues concerning Advocacy and Networking
The list is not exhaustive, it‟s only an exemplary
list which enlists broad areas which is very
frequently studied by social workers. Again,
within one or more problem areas research might
focus on individuals, families, groups,
community organisations or broad social
systems. It might deal with characteristics of a
larger population, and the services available to
them.
Social work research primarily deals with
problems faced by the professional social
workers, social work agencies and community in
their concern with social work functions.
Designing of research problems, data collection
and their interpretation are attempted in a
manner that it adds to the existing body of
knowledge in social work theory practice and
improve the efficiency of professional social
workers.
Social work research lays emphasis on
evaluation. Varieties of evaluation researchers
are undertaken in older to assess the effects,
impacts, efficiency and effectiveness of welfare
programmes offered under various policies and
legislations
Evaluation of agencies promoting social work
practices their projects and programmes are
some of the specialized areas of social work
research.
Nature of Scientific Enquiry:
The word science is derived from the Latin word
„scienta‟ which means „to know‟. Throughout
history, people have been very keen to acquire
knowledge by using various methods. However, it
was felt necessary to evolve a method by which
individual thinking has no effect on the
conclusions. In other words, the method should
be such that the ultimate conclusion of every
man is the same. Endeavours to acquire
knowledge, which involved such methods, came
to be known as science.
The term „science‟ has been defined in different
ways. To some, science means an objective
investigation of empirical phenomena, to others,
science denotes an accumulation of systematic
knowledge; to still others, it means all knowledge
collected by means of the scientific methodology.
Nevertheless, whatever may be the way of
defining, science is united by its methodology.
Hence it would be easier to understand science if
we first consider science as a method of
approach, and then discuss its aims and
functions.
A method is a system of explicit rules and
procedures. Thus methodologically an approach
to acquire knowledge which follows certain
explicit rules and procedures is science. Further
the results – the acquired knowledge are
evaluated in the light of the method. The process
of study, which involves these steps, is science.
The ultimate aim of science is to produce an
accumulating body of reliable knowledge, which
enable us to understand the world in which we
live and its ways. First, science describes the
various phenomena that interest us, such as:
What was the population growth rate of our
country in the last decade? Description of a
phenomenon is followed by explanation.
Explanation answers the question: Why is there a
higher rate of population growth in
underdeveloped countries than in developed
countries? In other words, a scientist first
describes the situation and then explains it. The
explanation of situation brings meaning to the
description. Finally, science contributes to the
body of knowledge by way of prediction.
Prediction means making inferences from the
facts. For example, if the present conditions
continue, the population of the country will cross
1000 million by the end of this decade. It is true
that the scientists rarely make absolute
predictions, they instead infer in terms of
probabilities. The final step of science prediction
has been referred to as one of „the most desirable
fruits of scientific labour.
When we observe certain objects or phenomena,
often unaware of our biases, we do not question
them and so we attribute our observations
entirely to the objects or phenomena being
observed. In this process, it is possible to arrive
at right decision on the basis of wrong reasons or
vice versa. This questions the process of
observation. Was the observation error free?
Every method of knowing has certain limitations.
While observing are we aware of our limitations?
Any study to create new knowledge or aims to
increase existing fund of knowledge may it be
through observation or by some other methods,
is called research if it takes into account the
biases, the errors and limitations. As such,
research may be described as systematic and
critical investigation of phenomena toward
increasing the stream of knowledge.
Science aims at description, explanation and
understanding of various objects or phenomena
in nature and research are special endeavours,
which involves systematic and critical
investigation. Thus, towards increasing the
stream of knowledge now it is easier to define
scientific research. We may define scientific
research as a systematic and critical
investigation about the natural phenomena to
describe, explain and finally to understand the
relations among them.
It is obvious that it would be impossible to
comprehend the nature and content of research
without an appreciation of a method. The method
used in scientific research is usually designated
as scientific method. According to George
Lundberg (1946), scientific method consists of
three basic steps, systematic observation,
classification and interpretation of data. Through
these steps, scientific method brings about not
only verifiability of the facts, but also it lays the
confidence in the validity of conclusions.
The definition requires some more explanations.
First when Lundberg (1946) says that scientific
method is systematic observation, he means in
effect, the scientific investigation is not ordered,
it aims only at discovering facts as they actually
are and not as they are desired to be and as such
the investigators can have critical confidence in
their conclusions. Second, the scientific method
is concerned with „classes of objects‟ not
„individual objects‟. Universality and
predictability are other features of scientific
method. The method makes it possible to predict
about a phenomenon with sufficient accuracy.
Social work primarily deals with human
behaviour, which is, by and large, complex and
dynamic in nature. One cannot, therefore
investigate under guided conditions as in natural
and physical sciences. This creates many
problems to the researcher such as the problems
of subjectivity and individualistic generalizations
etc. The problem arising out of the nature and
content of social work do not seriously diminish
the importance of scientific method for social
workers. Not with-standing the inherent
limitations scientific method can be used for the
study of problems related with social work so far
as it helps to arrive at valid generalizations.
Basic Elements of Research:
Concepts:
A concept is "an abstraction based on
characteristics of perceived reality."
A concept is an abstraction representing an
object, a property of an object or a certain
phenomena.
Eg. Water, mass, weight, social status, role,
caste, religion, family, Emotional Intelligence,
Academic Achievement, Sexual Behaviour,
Caregiving, etc
The concept of "education" has all sorts of things
we observe in the world around us like schools,
libraries, life experience, what parents try to do
to us, and so on. If we change the concept to
"formal education," it includes only institutions
that provides formal education from UKG to Std
XII, College and Diploma.
„Social status‟ as a concept is often used by social
scientists. It is the abstraction formed from the
observation of certain traits are associated with
the position of individuals in the society, which
are ascertained by certain indicators such as
qualification, social group, income, etc.. The
assessment of various indictors put together and
expressed in a word social status
Concepts help in communicating the research
findings. Concepts represent the aspects of
phenomena under study. It can be also called as
construct or variables.
Conceptual definition:
A Conceptual Definition is a critical element to
the research process and involves scientifically
defining a specific concept (also known as a
variable), or construct, so it can be systematically
measured. The conceptual definition is
considered to be the (scientific) text book
definition. The construct must then be
operationally defined to model the conceptual
definition.
Operational Definition:
An Operational Definition is the actual method,
tool, or technique which indicates how the
concept will be measured in the context of the
present research. It is established by the
researcher and it is in tune with the base of the
conceptual definitions.
Assumption:
Assumptions are statements that are taken for
granted or are considered true, even though they
have not been scientifically tested.
Assumptions are principles those are accepted as
being true based on logic or reasons, but without
proof or verification.
Hypothesis - Meaning and Definition:
The word hypothesis is a compound of two words
„hypo‟ and „thesis‟ where „hypo‟ means „under‟
and „thesis ‟ means reason or rational view. Thus,
hypothesis is a below reasoned view. It is a view,
which is not fully reasoned. In social research
and other research, hypothesis is used to mean a
statement about the relationship, which helps to
be investigated. According to F.N. Kerlinger,
“Hypothesis is the most powerful tool man has
invented to achieve dependable knowledge” Once
the problem to be answer is defined, the
researcher formulates theory. Theory formulation
leads to hypothesis formulation. Data collection
and analysis revolve around the hypothesis,
when hypothesis comes to be true, it originates
theory. Hypothesis is an educated guess about a
problem‟s solution. It shows the relation between
two or more variables, which need to be
investigated for the truth. Non-hypothesis can be
defined as logically conjectured relationship
between two or more variables in testable
statements. Hypothesis is always presented in
declarative sentence form. They can be general or
specific.
According to G.A. Lundberg: - “A hypothesis is a
tentative generalization the validity of which
remains to be tested. It may be any hunch,
imaginative idea or intuition whatsoever, which
becomes the basis of action or investigation.”
According to W. Goode and P.K. Hatt: - “A
hypothesis is a proposition, which can be put to
test to determine its validity. It may seem
contrary to, or in accordance with common
sense.”
(E.g.) Family planning can reduce the growth of
population. There is no relationship between
working condition and job satisfaction of
workers.
Types or research hypothesis: ™
Null Hypothesis:
Null hypothesis is one, which indicates a
definitive exact relationship between two
variables. It is so called because this hypothesis
usually reflect „no difference‟ or „no effect‟
situation. It means that there is no difference
between two populations in aspect of some
property and that the difference if any is only
accidental and unimportant. The null hypothesis
is akin to the principle that a man is innocent
until he is proved guilty. It constitutes a
challenge and the function of a research to give
facts a chance to reflect this challenge. H0 is null
hypothesis. Example: There is no difference
between male and female in their productivity.
Alternative hypothesis:
It is opposite of the null hypothesis. The
alternative hypothesis is a statement, which
expresses a relationship between two variables or
indicates difference between groups. It is the
statement of acceptance condition for each of the
alternative courses of action or solution to
problem. Where H1= alternative hypothesis.
Example: male worker will have more
productivity than female workers.
Formulation of hypothesis:
Deductive method / approach / logic:
The deductive method is one in which the
researcher develops hypothesis from theory and
design a research strategy to test them. There,
hypothesis formulation is preceded by theory
formulation. A clear theoretical portion is
developed prior to data collection. ™
Inductive method / approach / logic:
The inductive method is in which the researcher
develops hypothesis from specific observation.
Here, the researcher first collects data and then
develops theory as a result of data analysis. It is
based on the principle of developing theory after
the data have been collected.
Theory:
A theory is a generalization about a phenomenon,
an explanation of how or why something occurs.
Indeed, any statements that explain what is
measured or described any general statements
about cause or effect are theory based, at least
implicitly. (Frey, Botan, Friedman, & Kreps,
1991)
The function of theory is to DESCRIBE,
EXPLAIN, PREDICT, or CONTROL human
phenomena in a variety of contexts.
Research is closely related to theory. Theory
provides a conceptual model for research.
Research in turn contributes to theory. It is
important to distinguish the modern scientific
usage of the word theory from other meanings
the word may have. In common parlance, theory
is frequently identified with speculations, what is
theoretical is unrealistic, visionary. This is a
wrong notion; theory is the accumulated stored
facts. It may define as a set of systematically
interrelated concepts, definitions and
propositions that are advanced to explain and
predict phenomena (facts).

Arnold Rose defines theory as “an integrated

body of definitions, assumptions and general
propositions covering a given subject matter from
which a comprehensive and consistent set of
specific and testable principles can be deducted
logically”.
Law in research:
Law is a statement based on repeated
experimental observations that describes some
aspects of the universe. A scientific law always
applies under the same conditions and implies
that there is a casual relationship involving its
elements. It also refers to factual and well
confirmed statements. Law differs from scientific
theories in that do not posit a mechanism or
explanation to a phenomenon. These laws emerge
out of empirical or evidence based research in
social work.
Eg: Newton‟s laws of motion; 1st law: Every object
in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in
that state of motion unless an external force is
applied to it; 3rd for every action there is an equal
and opposite reaction.
Every individual is unique, a law in social work
profession. Each individual has his or her own
evolution in life and each of us go through
different tests which are unique and challenging.
Cause and effect relationship:
A cause-effect relationship is a relationship in
which one event (the cause) makes another event
happen (the effect). One cause can have several
effects.
Cause:
An event or action that causes something else to
happen. “Because” is a clue word that helps to
identify the cause. It answers the question
“WHY”.
(Eg): Dependency leads to vulnerability ignorance
leads to abuse.
Lack of knowledge about human rights leads to
human rights violation.
An action that makes something else happens.
Effect:
An event or action that happened as a result of
another event or action. It answers the question
“WHAT HAPPENED”
It is a result of that action.
Review of literature:
A literature review is based on the assumption
that knowledge accumulates and that we learn
from and build on what others have done.
Scientific research is a collective effort of many
researchers who share their results with one
another and who pursue knowledge as a
community. Today‟s studies build on those of
yesterday. Researchers read studies to compare,
replicate or criticize them for weaknesses.

The goals of review of literature are as follows.

 To demonstrate a familiarity with a body
of knowledge and establish credibility.
 To know the path of prior research and how a
current research project is linked to it.
 To integrate and summarize what is known in
an area.
 To learn from others and stimulate new ideas.
 Identification of variables.
 Helps in developing theoretical framework
 Helps in developing theoretical framework
Identification of Research Problem:
A research problem, or phenomenon as it might
be called in many forms of qualitative research, is
the topic you would like to address, investigate,
or study, whether descriptively or experimentally.
It is the focus or reason for engaging in your
research. It is typically a topic, phenomenon, or
challenge that you are interested in and with
which you are at least somewhat familiar.
Since a research problem is usually something
you have some knowledge of, that personal
experience is often a good starting point.
Realistically, you have to select something that
you are interested in, because you are going to
commit yourself to a significant investment of
time and energy. Thus, if you are not personally
interested, it will be difficult to sustain the effort
needed to complete the research with any
measure of quality or validity. You may want to
talk to teachers, counselors, administrators,
psychologists, or others about some of the
problems they face.
Need and Importance of Theoretical Framework:
The theoretical framework is presented in the
early section of a dissertation and provides the
rationale for conducting your research to
investigate a particular research problem.
Consider the theoretical framework as a
conceptual model that establishes a sense of
structure that guides your research. It provides
the background that supports your investigation
and offers the reader a justification for your
study of a particular research problem. It
includes the variables you intend to measure and
the relationships you seek to understand.
Essentially, this is where you develop a “theory”
and build your case for investigating that theory.
The theoretical framework is your presentation
of a theory that explains a particular problem.
The theoretical framework is a summary of your
theory regarding a particular problem that is
developed through a review of previously tested
knowledge of the variables involved. It identifies a
plan for investigation and interpretation of the
findings. The theoretical framework involves a
well-supported rationale and is organized in a
manner that helps the reader understand and
assess your perspective. The purpose is to
demonstrate that the relationships you propose
are not based on your personal instincts or
guesses, but rather formed from facts obtained
from authors of previous research.
The development of the theoretical framework
helps to clarify your implicit theory in a manner
that is more clearly defined. It helps you to
consider other possible frameworks and to
reduce biases that may sway your interpretation.
As you develop your theoretical framework you
will consider alternative theories that might
challenge your perspective. You will also consider
the limitations associated with your theory, and
quite possibly, that your problem could be better
understood by other theoretical frameworks.

The theoretical framework is how you

conceptualize the nature of your research
problem, its basis and the analysis you will
choose to investigate that problem. This
framework determines how you perceive, make
sense of, and interpret your data. Explanation of
the theoretical framework helps the reader
understand your perspective and context.

The theoretical framework is developed from and

connected to your review of the knowledge on the
topic. This knowledge is likely how you initially
formulated your research problem. You reviewed
the literature and found gaps in the explanation
of some phenomenon. The theoretical framework
allows you to present the research problem in
light of a summary of the literature.
Your description of the variables of interest in
context of the literature review allows the reader
to understand the theorized relationships. You
should begin by describing what is known about
your variables, what is known about their
relationship, and what can be explained thus far.
You will investigate other researchers‟ theories
behind these relationships and identify a theory
(or combination of theories) that explains your
major research problem. Essentially, your goal is
to convey to the reader why you think your
variables are related and the inclusion of
previous research and theories that support your
belief are essential to defending your rationale.
You apply the theory to your problem, and state
your hypotheses or predictions regarding
potential relationships. You tell the reader what
you expect to find in your research.

Research Design:
When particular research area has been defined,
research problem is defined, and the related
literature in the area has been reviewed, the next
step is to construct the research design. It is
fundamental to the success of any scientific
research. Research design means an overall
framework or plan for the activities to be
undertaken during the course of a research
study. It involves decisions regarding what,
where, when, how much and by what means
concerning a research study. It constitutes a blue
print for the collection, measurement and
analysis of data. It serves as a framework for the
study, guiding the collection and analysis of data,
research instrument to be utilized and the
sampling plan to be followed.
According to Kerlinger: “Research design is the
plan, structure and strategy of investigation
conceived so as to obtain answers to research
questions and to control variance.”
According to Kinner and Taylor: “A research
design is the basic plan which guides the data
collection and analysis phase of the research
project. It is the framework which specifies the
type of information to be collected, the source of
data and the data collection procedure.”
The importance of research design is to provide
answer to research question. Research design is
invented to enable the researcher to answer
research questions as, objective, accurately and
economically as possible.
To control variance: It enables the investigator to
gather and analyze his data in certain ways, it is
a control mechanism.
Exploratory research design:
It is designed to explore ideas and insights in
order to obtain a proper definition of problems at
hand. It is appropriate for the early stage of
decision making process. It is designed to obtain
a preliminary investigation of the situation with a
minimum expenditure of time and cost.
Purpose of exploratory research is to
 To identify problems and opportunities.
 To develop a more precise formulation of a
vaguely identified problems or opportunity
 To gain perspective regarding the breadth of
variables operating in a situations.
 To establish priorities regarding the potential
significance of various problems or
opportunities
 To identify and formulate alternative courses
of action.
 To gather information on the problems
associated with doing conclusive research.
 To gain management and researchers
perspective regarding the character of the
problem situation.

Descriptive research design:

Descriptive research design is designed to

describe something. It simply portrays an
accurate profile of organizations, events,
situation or any phenomena. It describes
conditions or relationship that exists, opinion
that are held, process that are going on, effects
that are evidence or trends that are developing. It
is the fact finding operation design to search for
information. Investigators collect, classify and
correlate data to describe that exists. But it does
not answer why phenomena behave as they do.
Descriptive research is appropriate in the
following conditions:
 Portraying the characteristics of social or any
phenomena and determining the frequency of
occurrence.
 Determining the degree of to which variables
are associated.
Purposes of descriptive research:
 To collect detailed factual information that
describes existing phenomena.
 To identify problems or justify current
conditions and practice.
  To make comparisons and evaluations.
 To determine what others are doing with
similar problems or situations and benefit
from their experience in making future plans
and decisions.
Diagnostic Research Design:
Diagnostic research studies determine the
frequency with which something occurs or its
association with something else. The studies
concerning whether certain variables are
associated are examples of diagnostic research
studies.
Experimental Research Design:
It describes what will be when certain variables
are carefully controlled or manipulated. The
focus is on variable relationship.
The purpose of experimental research is to
investigate possible cause-and-effect relationship
as well as to understand the nature of functional
relationship between caused factors and affect to
be predicted.
An experimental design involves the
specifications of:
 Treatments that are to be manipulated.
 Test units to be used.
 Dependent variables to be measured.
 Procedures for dealing with extraneous
variables.
Evaluation Research:
Evaluation is an integral part of any development
related actions. Social Work Profession deals with
a wide variety of programmes and projects aiming
to create change among the individuals, groups,
communities and society at large. Hence
evaluation research is a systematic assessment
of progress made by the implementing agency. It
analyses the problems and difficulties arising in
the effective implementation of a programme and
creates indicators for necessary value addition
and modification.
Evaluation is recognized as an important process
to improve working of the organizations. Its chief
function is to determine as sustematically and
objectively as possible the relevance, effectiveness
and impact of activities in the light of their
objectives.
The goal of evaluation research is to contribute to
a body of verifiable knowledge. Evaluation
research aims at offering an objective assessment
of programmes and ultimately it contributes to
body of knowledge to be practiced for the field at
large.
(E.g). A Director of Voluntary Organisation
Evaluates a programme of Vocational Skill
Training offered to rural women soon after the
programme to find out the effectiveness of such
programme.
Definition of Evaluation Research:
Evaluation research can be defined as a type of
study that uses standard social research
methods for evaluative purposes, as a specific
research methodology, and as an assessment
process that employs special techniques unique
to the evaluation of social programs.
The concept of evaluation research simply
connotes use of research methods to evaluate
programmes or services and determine how
effectively they are achieving their goals. The
terms like evaluation research, evaluative
research and programme evaluation are
synonymous, interrelated and hence used
interchangeably.
Types of Evaluation Research:
There are two basic goals that evaluation
research can achieve.
1. Formative Evaluation Research
2. Summative Evaluation Research
1. Formative Evaluation Research:
It focus on providing information to guide
the planning, development and
implementation of a specific programme.
Basic data is required for initiating a
 programme. Data related to personal, socio-
economic profile, existing programmes,
people‟s knowledge about existing
programmes, gaps in the existing
programmes are basic data that is required.
Such data are collected so as to arrive at a
critical planning, strategic development of
programme and management of such
programme is done through formative
evaluation research techniques. Qualitative
techniques such as observation are more
commonly used. Participatory methods are
highly recommended. Programmes planned
without people‟s participation fail.
2. Summative Evaluation Research:
It involves assessing the impact of a
programme. The results of summative
evaluation research are basically used for
policy making or decision making, such as
whether to continue, expand or cancel a
 programme. Summative evaluation research
examines the effects of a programme.
Steps in Evaluation Research:
The evaluation phase involves a sequence of
stages that typically includes: the formulation of
the major objectives, goals, and hypotheses of the
program or technology;
the conceptualization and operationalization of
the major components of the evaluation - the
program, participants, setting, and measures;
the design of the evaluation, detailing how these
components will be coordinated; the analysis of
the information, both qualitative and
quantitative; and the utilization of the
evaluation results.
Participatory Research:
Participatory research comprises a range of
methodological approaches and techniques, all
with the objective of handing power from the
researcher to research participants, who are
often community members or community-based
organisations. In participatory research,
participants have control over the research
agenda, the process and actions. Most
importantly, people themselves are the ones who
analyse and reflect on the information generated,
in order to obtain the findings and conclusions of
the research process.
Participatory research involves inquiry, but also
action. People not only discuss their problems,
they also think about possible solutions to them
and actions which need to be taken. The research
conducted by the Participatory Research Group
(PRG) aims to influence decision-making
processes and impact peoples‟ lives locally and
nationally. The challenge is that the views of the
most marginalised people are by definition largely
absent in public forums, which further excludes
them and in turn amplifies the perspectives of
the more powerful groups. Bringing these people
and perspectives into policy processes is not a
straight forward task. Participatory research is
one way that these perspectives can be
articulated, and yet there are many challenges in
how to do this well.
The techniques used are focus groups and multi
stakeholder meetings, participatory inquiry,
action research, oral testimonies and story
collection as a foundation for collective analysis,
drawing and essay writing competitions,
participatory video, PRA and immersions.
Action Research:
Action research is an interactive inquiry process
that balances problem solving actions
implemented in a collaborative context with data-
driven collaborative analysis or research to
understand underlying causes enabling future
predictions about personal and organizational
change (Reason & Bradbury, 2002).
Action Research refers to a wide variety of
evaluative, investigative, and analytical research
methods designed to diagnose problems or
weaknesses, among individuals, groups or
communities and it helps the affected ones to
develop practical solutions to address them
quickly and efficiently.

Action research may also be applied to programs

or educational techniques that are not
necessarily experiencing any problems, but that
educators simply want to learn more about and
improve. The general goal is to create a simple,
practical, repeatable process of iterative learning,
evaluation, and improvement that leads to
increasingly better results for schools, teachers,
or programs.

Action research may also be called a cycle of

action or cycle of inquiry, since it typically follows
a predefined process that is repeated over time. A
simple illustrative example:
 Identify a problem to be studied
 Collect data on the problem
 Organize, analyze, and interpret the data
 Develop a plan to address the problem
 Implement the plan
 Evaluate the results of the actions taken
 Identify a new problem
 Repeat the process
Unlike more formal research studies, such as
those conducted by universities and published in
peer-reviewed scholarly journals, action research
is typically conducted by the people - the
participants, rather than by independent,
impartial observers from outside community.
Less formal, prescriptive, or theory-driven
research methods are typically used when
conducting action research, since the goal is to
address practical problems in a specific
community, rather than produce independently
validated and reproducible findings that others,
outside of the context being studied, can use to
guide their future actions or inform the design of
their academic programs. Action research is
typically focused on solving a specific problem
(eg. high rates of student absenteeism) or answer
a specific question (Why are so many of our ninth
standard students fail in math?), action research
can also make meaningful contributions to the
larger body of knowledge and understanding in
the field of education, particularly within a
relatively closed system such as school, district,
or network of connected organizations.