Practice of Social Research : Social Work Perspective

Contents: Preface. I. Basics of Social Research: 1. The scientific approach. 2. Basic elements of research. 3. Basic research designs. 4. Measurement social research. 5. Sampling and sampling designs. 6. Methods of data collection. 7. Data processing and analysis 8. Analysis of secondary data. II. Social Work Research: 9. Social work research. 10. Single subject research designs. 11. Evaluation research in social work. III. Statistics for social work. 12. Measures of central tendency. 3. Measures of dispersion. 14. Measures of association. 15. Non-parametric tests of association. 16. Tests of significance for single-subject designs. 17. Parametric tests of difference. Appendix. Bibliography. Index.

"Practice of social research describes very precisely the basics of social research but the primary focus of the book is on the applicability of research methods in social work theory and practice.

Social work research has unique role to play in enabling the social work students, educators as well as practitioners to meet the growing demands of higher professional standards and accountability.

The book aims at enhancing the knowledge base of social work and making the social work practice a scientific practice by using various research methods, tools and techniques. This book will prove a richly guide for both academics and practitioners in social work profession. The clear, accessible style will make this the ideal introductory text for those undertaking or studying research for the first time." (jacket)

[D.K. Lal Das is Principal, College of Social Work, Hyderabad.]