Course

Unit 1

Introduction to Social Research – Meaning of Research and Scientific Research, Philosophical Assumptions Behind the Scientific Methods (Ontology, Epistemology, Positivism), Paradigms of Social Science Research (Objectivism and Constructivism). Features of Scientific Method: Objectivity, Verifiability, Falsifiability, and Replicability. Deduction – Induction Cycles, Principles of Research Ethics: Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-Maleficence, and Justice.
 Informed Consent and Assent (special reference to vulnerable populations).

Unit 2

Formulation of Research Problem and Research Proposal – Research Process, Formulation of research problem-Definition, Statement, Conceptual framework, Operationalization of Concepts, Variables, Hypothesis-Testing of Hypothesis. Preparing a Research Proposal.

Unit 3

Research Designs, Sampling and Tools – Nature and Types of Research Designs: Descriptive, Exploratory, Diagnostic, Evaluation and Action Research, Experimental, Qualitative Research, Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR). Methods of Sampling. Tools-Secondary and primary sources of data; Interview schedules; questionnaires, checklists. Psychometric properties—reliability properties-Reliability and Validity. Safeguarding in Social Research. Data Ethics: Data minimization, confidentiality, anonymity, and privacy (digital and online research contexts)

Unit 4

Data Processing:  Data processing – Coding, Data entry, Data definition, Reproducibility and Replicability of Data Qualitative Data Analysis, Quantitative Data Analysis-Levels of Measurements, Hypotheses testing – Descriptive and Inferential statistics – Chi square test/ t test/ ANOVA – Correlation, Regression. Interpretations. Research Paper Writing- Publication as a Goal of Social Work Practice, Major components of a Research publications.

Unit 5

Tools and Software for Data Analysis – Processing and Presentation. Tools for processing, analysis and presentation- qualitative, quantitative, quantitative. Ethical use of AI for data analysis. AI Tools for Research

Text Books / References

Textbooks:

1. Bryman, A. (2016): Social Research Methods (5th edition). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
2. Goode, W. J. & Hatt, P. K. (2017). Methods in social research. Hyderabad, India: Asia Law House.
3. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods (4th edition). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
4. Kothari, C.R. (2004). Research methodology. Methods and techniques (2nd revised edition). New Delhi, India: New Age International Publishers. Retrieved from https://ccsuniversity.ac.in/bridge- library/pdf/Research-Methodology-CR-Kothari.pdf
5. Krishnaswamy, O. R. & Ranganatham, M. (2013). Methodology of research in social sciences (2nd edition). New Delhi, India: Himalaya Publishing House.
6. Kumar, R. (2011). Research methodology. A step-by-step guide for beginners (3rd edition). Los Angeles, CA: Sage. Retrieved from http://www.sociology.kpi.ua/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Ranjit_Kumar-Research_Methodology_A_Step-by-Step_G.pdf
7. Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods. Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th edition). Pearson Education India.

Suggested Readings:

1. Bacon-Shone, J. H. (2013). Introduction to quantitative research methods. Hong Kong: Graduate School, The University of Hong Kong. Retrieved from https://hub.hku.hk/bitstream/10722/191018/1/Content.pdf
2. Nick, T. G. (2007). Descriptive statistics. In W. T. Ambrosius (Ed.), Topics in biostatistics (p. 33-52) (Series: Methods in Molecular Biology). Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Douglas_Mahoney2/publication/5402488_Linear_Mixed_Effects_Models/links/57e560bf08ae9227da964db4.pdf#page=42
3. Patel, P. (2009). Introduction to quantitative methods. Retrieved from https://www.studocu.com/row/document/takoradi-polytechnic/quantitative-studies/quantitative-methods-practical/2647139?origin=null
4. Urdan, T. C. (2011). Statistics in plain English (3rd edition). London, UK and New York, NY: Routledge. Retrieved from https://www.book2look.com/embed/9781317526995

Social Work Research is a foundational course designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding necessary to engage in meaningful, context-sensitive research within the field of social work. This course introduces students to the principles of scientific inquiry, various research paradigms, and both qualitative and quantitative methods, with an emphasis on ethical engagement, cultural sensitivity, and real-world application. Students will explore the full research cycle from problem formulation to data collection, analysis, and presentation while learning to critically integrate AI tools into their workflow.

Course Objective:

1. Understand the scientific method, and explain the nature, purpose, and scope of social work research, including its philosophical foundations.
2. Identify and formulate ethically grounded research problems, questions, and hypotheses.
3. Design a research methodology appropriate for diverse social contexts and populations.
4. Conduct data collection and basic analysis, interpret research findings accurately and reflectively, highlighting strengths, limitations, and ethical considerations.
5. Communicate research through well-structured reports and presentations, incorporating AI tool for reflections and critiques.

Course Outcomes:

1. Understand the foundational principles, philosophies, and processes of social work research.
2. Formulate ethical and socially relevant research problems, questions, and hypotheses
3. Apply appropriate research designs, sampling techniques, and data collection tools in various social work settings.
4. Ethically utilize statistical and qualitative methods (manual and AI-aided) to analyze social research data with clear understanding of the limitations of using AI tools in research practices.
5. Produce and present coherent, structured, and ethically sound research reports and visual presentations.