Understanding social problems within the context of social work requires careful analysis and the ability to develop researchable questions that can guide meaningful inquiries and interventions. Imagine you are a social worker addressing a significant social issue in your community, such as homelessness, substance abuse, or domestic violence. Drawing from your recent studies, consider how you would construct a research question that could help address this issue.
Reflect on your experiences or observations related to social problems. How might your insights inform the development of a comprehensive approach to researching these issues? Consider the concepts and methods you've learned during your studies, and determine which would be most appropriate for this task.
Identify a specific social problem you are interested in researching.
Develop a clear and concise research question related to this problem.
Explain which concepts or methods from your studies would be most effective in exploring this research question and why.
Sample Answer
As a social worker, addressing the complex issue of homelessness in my community requires a research question that goes beyond mere observation to actionable inquiry. Drawing from my studies, I'd construct a research question to guide a comprehensive investigation.
Research Question
My specific research question would be: What are the lived experiences and systemic barriers that prevent individuals experiencing chronic homelessness from accessing and retaining stable housing in urban communities?
This question is intentionally broad to capture the multi-faceted nature of homelessness. It moves beyond simply counting the number of homeless individuals to understanding their personal narratives and the structural issues they face. It also focuses on "chronic homelessness" to narrow the scope to a population with distinct needs and challenges.
Concepts and Methods for Exploration
To effectively explore this research question, I'd rely on two primary methods from my social work studies: qualitative research and community-based participatory research (CBPR).
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is essential for this inquiry because it prioritizes understanding the "lived experiences" mentioned in the research question. This method involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data, such as narratives, observations, and personal accounts. I would use:
In-depth interviews: Conducting one-on-one interviews with individuals experiencing homelessness would provide rich, detailed insights into their daily struggles, personal histories, and interactions with social services. This method would help uncover the nuances of their experiences that a quantitative survey could never capture.
Focus groups: Facilitating group discussions with individuals who share similar experiences could reveal common themes, shared barriers, and collective coping mechanisms. This method can also be empowering for participants, as it validates their experiences and creates a sense of community.
Participant observation: Spending time in shelters, day centers, and other community spaces would allow me to observe the systemic barriers firsthand. This provides an on-the-ground perspective that can contextualize the interview data.