SW 2106 : INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITATIVE SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH METHODS

Unit I: Introduction, Concept and Process:

•Meaning, Objectives, need and importance - •Research methods verses research methodology –
•Types of Social Research - •Research processes - •Research Approaches: Quantitative & Qualitative
- •Basic elements of scientific method- • Need and importance of theoretical frame work in research,
Social Work Research Ethics

What is Research?
Research is the method of obtaining objective Knowledge about the world through systematic
observation.
Research: The word research is composed of two syllables “Re” and “Search”. “Re” is the prefix meaning
‘Again or over again or a new’ and “Search” is the latter meaning ‘to examine closely and carefully’ or
‘to test and try’.
Together they form, a careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge
undertaken to establish principles / policies.
Research can also be defined as
1. Search for knowledge
2. Systematic and scientific search for getting relevant answers on any taken up specific topic.
3. Scientific enquiry into a subject.
4. Research is a movement from the unknown to the known.
5. It is the journey of discovery; Research is primarily committed to establishing systematic, reliable and
valid knowledge about the social world.
Research is
• Empirical: - based on observation
• Systematic: - follow procedures
• Theory- driven:-Testing or building (testing up theory or coming up with theories)
• Provisional: - can be altered with new evidence (new research).
• Objective: - Free from bias
Researchers are:
• Open-minded (even we have hypothesis we have open for research)
• Skeptical (don’t take things face values we need evidence)
• Work Cautious (careful) – we are go around making large clients for one study)
• Fallible (sometimes make mistakes)
• Ethical
Scientific Research: is a planned search or study that involves the collection, interpretation and
comparison of data or information.
A scientific research is..
• Aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts,
• Revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts.
• Practical application of new or revised theories or law.
Research is a well-planned activity that involves,
 Collection of data ( Primary , secondary or both)
 Interpretation of the collected data
 Comparing the newly interpreted data to what is already known.
 It will support known information
 Challenge known information
 Provide a new insights.
Conditions for conducting a scientific research:
• The research process is well planned
• Primary /secondary data can be collected
• The collected data can be scientifically analyzed and interpreted
• There is a discovery of new knowledge or one can compare the information with already
available information
Research methods verses research methodology
Research methods: Includes all those techniques/methods that are adopted for conducting research.
Thus, research techniques or methods are the methods that the researchers adopt for conducting the
research studies.
Research methodology: is the way in which research problems are solved systematically .It is a science
of studying how research is conducted scientifically under it . Researchers acquaints with various steps
generally adopted to study a research problem, along with the underlying logic behind them.Hence, it is
not only important for the researcher to know the research techniques/methods, but also the scientific
approach called methodology
Research Methodology: The study of conducting research is Research Methodology.
Types of research:
Research can be classified from the view point or perspectives as,
From the view point
Application Objective Inquiry mode
1) Pure Research 1) Descriptive 1) Quantitative Research
2) Applied Research 2) Correlative ) Qualitative Research
3) Exploratory
4) Explanatory

 Pure Research: (Basic or Fundamental Research) Gathering, knowledge is termed as ‘pure’ or

‘basic’ research. Just to gather knowledge in order to formulate or generalize theories or policies.
To understand a particular situation phenomena, problem, behavior, therapy etc. Eg) Research on
mathematics. These types of research add knowledge to the already existing organized body.
 Applied Research: Put that understanding in to practice (understanding gained from the research in
to practice).
Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organization, whereas fundamental research is mainly concerned with
generalizations and with the formulation of a theory.
Social work Researches considered as applied because it is usually conducted with the purpose of
solving some sort of problem by suggesting solution to it based on knowledge gained from that
study.
1) Descriptive Research:
• Survey or fact finding enquires of different kinds. It describes the actual prevailing state of affairs,
existing at present.
• Otherwise known as ex post facts means existing position of facts / issues.
• Here the variable influencing the research has no control or the researcher has no control over the
variables. E.g.: Frequency of shopping, customer preference etc.
Descriptive Verses Analytical Research:
• Descriptive: Describe a particular situation phenomena or a problem we have. Eg: How many
homeless individuals are in the city and what are their demographics?
The major purpose of descriptive research is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present.
The main characteristic of this method is that the researcher has no control over the variables; he
can only report what has happened or what is happening.
The methods of research utilized in descriptive research are survey methods of all kinds, including
comparative and correlational methods.
• Analytical: In analytical research, the researcher has to use facts or information already
available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material. Eg: document study /
historical evidence.
2) Correlative Research:
• Goes on to discover the existing relationship or interdependence between two or more aspects /
variables.
• Otherwise known as comparative study.
• Investigates association between variables. Eg: Sum of humour and job satisfaction, (related
variable)
3)Explanatory Research: Attempts to clarify or explain why and how, any particular research
problem arises and can be solved. Explain particular phenomena, why it happening: Why do some
parents abuse their children, while others do not?
4) Exploratory Research: Study undertakes to explore a new area or an unknown destination.
Eg. of Research Q. ….what are the experiences of LGBTQ Foster youth (LGBTQ+ is an initialisms
that means: L : Lesbian, G: Gay, B: Bisexual , T: Transgender Q: Queer or
Questioning).Exploring the experiences.
III. Based on the Inquiry Mode:
 Quantitative Research:
• Relates to aspects that can be quantified and expressed in terms of quantity.
• Otherwise known as structured Research.
• In this type of Research, the objectives, design, sample and all the other factors influencing the
research is pre-determined. The research problem and its solution will be expressed in terms of
quantity and hence statistical and economic analysis is adapted in this type of Research.
Qualitative Research: Otherwise known as unstructured research. It is concerned with
qualitative phenomenon, i.e., Phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind. For instance,
 when we are interested in investigating the reasons for human behavior (i.e., why people think
or do certain things), we quite often talk of ‘Motivation Research’, an important type of
qualitative research.
Apart from the above, other types of Research are,
Conceptual Research: Research related to some abstract idea or theory
• Used by philosophers or thinkers for developing new concepts.
Empirical research (based on experiments or experience)
• Otherwise known as experimental type of Research.
• The result obtained by adapting Empirical Research is considered to be most powerful
 Predictive: trying to understand what factors influence or predict in a particular group or a
population in a specific problem situation or behaviors Eg. What are the risk factors for juvenile
delinquency among Vietnamese youth.
OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
The purpose of research is to discover answers to questions through the application of scientific
procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and which has not
been discovered as yet. Though each research study has its own specific purpose, we may think of
research objectives as falling into a number of following broad groupings:
1. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (exploratory or
formulate research studies);
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group
(descriptive research studies);
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with
something else (diagnostic research studies);
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are known as
hypothesis-testing research studies).
Social research…(versus medical.. etc.)
• Focuses Empirical (based on observation) and systematic examination (follow procedures)
• Social and/or psychological factors in particular
• Social researches conducted in typically the fields like Sociology-psychology-social work
(We are interested in health conditions, social problems, particular job, psychological behaviors and
phenomena etc.)
Social work is actually the hype of social research.
What is trying to do?
• Understand a particular social problem (racism, discrimination. Poverty etc.)
• A person’s behavior (criminal behavior, elder behavior etc.)
• Evaluate a treatment or a policy (does it work)
Social work research means conducting an investigation in accordance with the scientific method.
The aim of social work research is to build the social work knowledge base in order to solve
practical problems in social work practice or social policy.
Social Work is a discipline involving the application of social theory and research methods to study
and improve the lives of people, groups, and society.
Social work research tends to focus more on issues that affect individuals. For example,
  Comparing two different treatment models for domestic violence shelters .
 Social work research can focus on issues that commonly affect people and can help to
determine the prevalence of the issue among a population group.
 It can study different modes of treatments to help determine which mode is most effective
and this can lead to “best practices” recommendations.
 Social work research can also be used in a “program analysis” which seeks to determine how
well a certain treatment program is working.
 Social research tends to have a macro focus whereas, social work research is more specifically
focused on issues affecting individuals, on treatment modalities, or on program evaluation.
Need and scope of social work research
We need effective solutions (to the problems we have in the country)
 Interventions/treatment (community level and )
 Policy level
 Transforming the hypothetical &assumptive knowledge to tested knowledge
 Strengthen the scientific base of professional social work
Nature of social work research
1. The complexity of social data is not so well founded. This means that a reasonable
prediction about people’s behavior is possible.
2. Social science research is less exact in nature
3. Social research is has less accuracy
4. Whereas the physical phenomena may be known directly through senses, the social
phenomena only symbolically through words or terms. E.g. custom, values etc.
5. Most of the subject matter of social science research is qualitative than quantitative.
6. In social science research segregation of cause and effect is difficult (poverty and lack
of skill-what causes what?)
7. It is difficult to construct laboratories for social science. Society is the laboratory
8. Man is the central figure in social research and investigate laws related to man or
man’s social behavior.
9. It is difficult to measure the subject matter in social work.
10. Social phenomena are characterized by greater heterogeneity.
Central feature of social work Research in Social Work Practice
 Social Work Research Begins with practical problems and its objective is to produce knowledge
that can be put to use in planning or carrying on social work programs.
 Social work research influence and contribute to all methods and fields of social work i.e. Social
case work, social group work, community organization, social welfare administration, social action.
The importance of social work research
Research in social work is important for many reasons.
• It is used to evaluate the effectiveness of the practice in which social workers engage and the programs
they implement.
• Development of new knowledge, policies and programs often result from research efforts.
• The social work practitioners are often uncertain about the necessity of conducting research.( The
reason may have little to do with adequate training in research methods and more to do with lack of
approach to research consistent with the mission of the profession.)
• Social workers are bound to a political, organizational and professional context. It is not possible for
social workers solely to satisfy their own values or needs expressed by users.
Research Approaches
There are two basic approaches to research, viz., quantitative approach and the qualitative approach.
Quantitative Research is the type of research methodology which tries to quantify the data and
establish cause and effect relationship between variables with the help of statistical methods.
This approach can be further sub-classified into
1. Inferential, 2. Experimental and 3.simulation approaches to research.
The purpose of inferential approach to research is to form a data base from which to infer (conclude)
characteristics or relationships of population. This usually means survey research where a sample of
population is studied (questioned or observed) to determine its characteristics, and it is then inferred
that the population has the same characteristics.
Experimental approach is characterized by much greater control over the research environment and in
this case some variables are manipulated to observe their effect on other variables.
Simulation approach involves the construction of an artificial environment within which relevant
information and data can be generated. This permits an observation of the dynamic behavior of a
system (or its sub-system) under controlled conditions.
Methods of Quantitative Research:
 Telephone surveys-When the survey is carried out over tele-communication, ie.telephone or
mobile, where the response are in the form of closed ended answers.
 Personal interviews: One to one interview is conducted to gain understanding of the problem
under study.
 Web surveys: Researcher selects a group of respondents and mail questionnaire to them, to
obtain information.
 Hybrid method: Any of the two research methods are combined to gain information regarding
problem under study
Qualitative approach to research is concerned with subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions and
behavior. Research in such a situation is a function of researcher’s insights and impressions.
Such an approach to research generates results either in non-quantitative form or in the form which are
not subjected to rigorous quantitative analysis. Generally, the techniques of focus group interviews,
projective techniques and depth interviews are used.
Qualitative Research Vs Quantitative Research
An inquiry conducted to develop An empirical research used to
insight on human behavior, i.e. meaning generate measurable data, by
to discover the way people think employing statistical and logical
and feel. techniques.
Feelings, attitudes, opinions and Deals with Hard facts and statistical data
thoughts of human beings
To explore and discover ideas Objective To examine cause and effect
used in the ongoing processes relationship between variables.
Purposive sampling Random
Exploratory Research type conclusive
inductive Reasoning Deductive
Verbal or narrative data Data collected Numerical data
Subjective Approach Objective
Develop initial understanding use Recommends final course of
action

Research Process:
Steps in the research process (Nine steps in Research Process)
1. Problem identification
2. Review of available literature
3. Problem formulation
4. Deciding the methodology
5. Writing a research proposal
6. Sample selection and preparation of tools of data collection
7. Collecting the data
8. Analyzing and interpreting the data
9. Writing the research report
1. Problem identification:
 Your interest
 Available literature
 Feasibility in terms of resources and respondents
 Ethical issues
 Originality
2. Review of available literature
 Read as much as you can
 Critically analyze what you read
 Write your analyses
3. Problem formulation
You need to clearly identify,
 The geographical location for your study
 The time period being considered
 The specific sub-areas of the topic selected
 The demographic aspects of the population from which you will select the
respondents
4. Deciding the methodology
 Orientation of the research
 The appropriate sampling design and tools for data collection
5. Writing a research proposal
A research proposal is needed to;
  Clarify the key elements of the research
 Develop the initial work plan
 Assess resources
 Provide sufficient information for the readers to evaluate the study
 Get the formal sanction
 Get funding for research
6. Sample selection and preparation of tools of data collection
a) Sample selection involves,
 Determining number of respondents
 Choosing a sampling techniques and
 Estimating possible sampling errors
b) Preparing the tools for data collection includes.
 Identifying the best tools for the research
 Developing the tools
 Pre-testing /Piloting the tools
7. Collection the data
 This step requires a great deal of time
 Data can be collected in the field (real world)
8. Data analysis and interpretation
 Process of giving meaning to collected information is called analysis.
 The data is first entered and then cleaned prior to the analysis
 Analysis in a quantitative study is done with the help of statistics
 Where as in qualitative study, it is done descriptively.
9. Writing the research report
 A quantitative research document differs from a qualitative research report.
Skills required for research (qualities of a Researcher)
 Capacity to plan and complete a project independently
 Writing skills
 Analytical & critical thinking skills: (An analytical mind) Constant analysis on a variety of factors.
 Presentation and organization skills
 Ability to stick to deadlines and complete projects on time.
 A people person : For respondents to get the best out of interviews / focus groups.
 The ability to stay calm: especially when you have pressing deadlines. Keep well focused and
think logically there will always be an end point.
 Intelligence: Researcher requires critical analysis, but most of all common sense.
 Curiosity: Have curiosity and be passionate about developing deeper to unearth more insight.
 Quick thinker: Things don’t always go as you plan, so you need to be able to think fast.
 Commitment: Research is a tough job, the hours may be long, the deadlines short.
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills: So that different audience can clearly
understand the findings.
 Sympathetic: Having a sympathetic ear when listening to some respondents (cry etc) is a good
skill, to have.
 Systematic: Check, check and check again.
Key Elements of the Scientific Method (Basic elements of scientific method)
 There are six key steps that tend to characterize
the scientific method.
The first step is the question. This is the part
where a scientist proposes the problem that he
or she wants to solve. A well-conceived question
usually leads to a hypothesis, a potential
answer to the question at hand.
Sometimes, hypotheses look more like predictions. The scientist predicts what the outcome will be when
he or she tests the hypothesis.
The scientist's test is also called the experiment. Experiments are ordered investigations that are
intended to prove or disprove a hypothesis. Important data comes from performing an experiment.
The scientist has to make observations of the results that he or she gets from the experiment. An
observation is a statement of knowledge gained through the senses or through the use of scientific
equipment. Observations are crucial for collecting data. Once the results are in, the scientist must begin
the analysis. Data analysis involves comparing the results of the experiment to the prediction posed by
the hypothesis. Based on the observations he or she made, the scientist has to determine whether the
hypothesis was correct. He or she then sums up his or her findings with a conclusion. The conclusion of a
scientific process is a statement of whether the original hypothesis was supported or refuted by the
observations gathered.
Other basic elements are ,
 A concept is a generally accepted collection of meanings or characteristics associated with
certain events, objects, conditions, situations, and behaviors. Classifying and categorizing objects
or events that have common characteristics beyond any single observation creates concepts.
 A scientific concept is an idea or model. Explaining some natural phenomenon. • For example,
our understanding of. Objects falling toward the Earth are explained in our concept of gravity.
 A conceptual definition tells you what the concept means,
 while an operational definition only tells you how to measure it. A conceptual definition tells
what your constructs are by explaining how they are related to other constructs. On the other
hand, your operational definitions describe the variables you will use as indicators for your
constructs and the procedures you will use to observe or measure the variables.
 An assumption is an unexamined belief: what we think without realizing we think it. Our
inferences (also called conclusions) are often based on assumptions that we haven't thought
about critically. A critical thinker, however, is attentive to these assumptions because they are
sometimes incorrect or misguided.
 Hypothesis is a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables. It is a
specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in a study.
 Theories are formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena and, in many cases, to
challenge and extend existing knowledge within the limits of critical bounding assumptions.
 A literature review is a comprehensive summary of previous research on a topic.
NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF THEORETICAL FRAME WORK IN RESEARCH
The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. ..
Theoretical Framework provides a context for examining a problem i.e. theoretical foundation for:
 Developing hypotheses
 A frame of reference/base for
 Observations
  Definitions of concepts
 Research designs
 Interpretations
 Generalizations
 Serves as a guide to systematically identify logical, precisely defined relationships among
variables
 The Use of a Theoretical Framework as a Guide in a Research Study The theoretical framework
plays an important role in guiding the entire process of the research study
 Theories are constructed in order to explain, predict and master phenomena (e.g. relationships,
events, or the behavior). In many instances we are constructing models of reality.
 A theory makes generalizations about observations and consists of an interrelated, coherent set
of ideas and models.
Ethical Issues in Social Work Research
 Voluntary participation and informed consent
 SW research often represents an intrusion into people’s lives
 No one should be forced to participate and all participants must be aware that they are
participating in a study
 They must be informed of all the consequences of the study and they must consent to
participate in it
 No harm to the participants
 Privacy and confidentiality
 Privacy: Respondent may be considered unnamed when the researcher cannot identify a given
response with a given respondent
 Confidentiality: Researcher is able to identify a given person’s responses but essentially
promises not to do so publicly
 Deceiving participants
 Sometimes it’s useful and even necessary to identify yourself as a researcher
 Sometimes researchers admit they are doing research but fudge about why they are doing it or
for whom
 Analysis and reporting
 Several ethical obligations to participants in a social work study
 Ethical obligations to your professional colleagues too
 Weighing the benefits and costs
 The most ethical course of action for researchers to take is not always clear-cut
 An illustration: living with the dying--use of participant observation
 Be sure to report the proportion of males and females in your study sample
Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work
In social work, ethical conduct is an essential — but complex— practice. Social workers must often act
quickly and effectively in the face of difficult moral dilemmas, especially when the results can have a
profound impact on the course of their clients’ lives. It is therefore imperative for social workers to both
familiarize themselves with difficulties they may face in the field, as well as their profession’s standards
of best practice.
Defining “Ethical Dilemma”
In the context of social work, an ethical dilemma is a situation in which two or more professionally
identified values are in conflict. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics
outlines these values, including service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of
human relationships, integrity and competence.