sample research topics in social work

199+ Social Work Research Topics [Updated 2024]

In the vast and dynamic field of social work, research plays a pivotal role in shaping interventions, policies, and practices. Social work research is not just an academic pursuit but a powerful tool for effecting positive change in communities. As aspiring researchers delve into this realm, the journey begins with a crucial decision – selecting the right social work research topic.

In this blog, we will explore the significance of choosing the right social work research topics, provide insights into the selection process, highlight popular research areas, discuss emerging trends, offer tips for conducting research, and share valuable resources for social work researchers.

Significance of Choosing the Right Social Work Research Topics

Table of Contents

Impact on Research Quality

The choice of a research topic significantly influences the quality and relevance of the research conducted. A well-chosen topic enhances the researcher’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the existing body of knowledge in social work.

Alignment with Personal Interests and Goals

Selecting a topic aligned with personal interests and career goals fosters a sense of passion and commitment. This alignment not only sustains the researcher’s enthusiasm throughout the process but also increases the likelihood of producing impactful research.

Contribution to the Field of Social Work

The right research topic has the potential to contribute to the broader field of social work by addressing pressing issues, proposing innovative solutions, and advancing our understanding of complex social dynamics.

How to Select Social Work Research Topics?

Understanding the Scope of Social Work: Social work is a multifaceted discipline that encompasses various domains such as mental health, child welfare, community development, and more. Prospective researchers should explore the diverse scopes within social work to identify areas that resonate with their interests and expertise.
Identifying Personal Interests and Passion: Passion fuels research endeavors. Researchers should reflect on their personal experiences, values, and interests to identify areas within social work that evoke a strong sense of commitment.
Considering Relevance to Current Social Issues: Social work research gains significance when it addresses current societal challenges. Researchers should evaluate potential topics based on their relevance to contemporary issues, ensuring that the findings can contribute meaningfully to ongoing dialogues and efforts for social change.

199+ Social Work Research Topics: Category-Wise

Mental health and social work.

The impact of community support on mental health outcomes.
Examining the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in social work.
Exploring stigma surrounding mental health in diverse populations.
Integrating technology in mental health counseling: Challenges and opportunities.
The role of social work in preventing suicide and self-harm.

Diversity and Inclusion in Social Work

LGBTQ+ inclusivity in social work practice.
Addressing microaggressions and bias in social work interactions.
Promoting cultural competence in social work education.
Exploring challenges faced by immigrants and refugees in accessing social services.
Intersectionality in social work: Understanding and addressing multiple identities.

Social Work and Community Development

Evaluating the impact of community gardens on neighborhood well-being.
The role of social workers in disaster response and recovery.
Strategies for combating homelessness and housing insecurity.
Assessing the effectiveness of community-based participatory research in social work.
Social work’s contribution to sustainable community development.

Social Work and Child Welfare

Investigating the long-term outcomes of children in foster care.
The impact of parental substance abuse on child welfare.
Exploring cultural competence in child welfare services.
Innovative approaches to supporting kinship care families.
Assessing the effectiveness of early intervention programs for at-risk children.

Global Perspectives in Social Work Research

Cross-cultural perspectives on social work ethics.
Human rights and social work: An international comparison.
The role of social work in addressing global health disparities.
Social work responses to forced migration and refugee crises.
Comparative analysis of social work systems in different countries.

Technology and Social Work

Ethical considerations in the use of artificial intelligence in social work.
Online therapy and its implications for the future of social work.
Integrating telehealth in social work practice: Challenges and benefits.
Cyberbullying and the role of social workers in prevention and intervention.
The impact of social media on social work advocacy.

Policy and Advocacy in Social Work

Analyzing the impact of welfare reform on vulnerable populations.
Social work advocacy for criminal justice reform.
The role of social workers in shaping healthcare policies.
Addressing disparities in access to education through social work policy.
Environmental justice and the role of social work in sustainability.

Substance Abuse and Addiction in Social Work

Harm reduction strategies in social work practice.
Supporting families affected by substance abuse: A social work perspective.
Exploring the intersection of trauma and addiction in social work.
Assessing the effectiveness of drug prevention programs in schools.
The role of social workers in opioid addiction treatment.

Gerontology and Aging in Social Work

Aging in place: Examining the role of social work in supporting seniors at home.
Social isolation and mental health in the elderly population.
Addressing elder abuse: Strategies for prevention and intervention.
Palliative care and the role of social workers in end-of-life care.
The impact of dementia on families and the role of social work support.

Education and Social Work

The role of school social workers in addressing student mental health.
Inclusive education: Social work interventions for students with disabilities.
Bullying prevention programs in schools: A social work perspective.
Examining the impact of teacher-student relationships on academic outcomes.
Social work support for students experiencing homelessness.

Human Trafficking and Exploitation

Human trafficking prevention and intervention strategies in social work.
The role of social workers in supporting survivors of human trafficking.
Addressing labor exploitation through social work advocacy.
Intersectionality and human trafficking: A comprehensive approach.
Assessing the effectiveness of anti-trafficking policies and programs.

Family Dynamics and Social Work

Impact of divorce and separation on children: Social work interventions.
Foster care reunification: Challenges and success factors.
LGBTQ+ parenting and the role of social work in family support.
Domestic violence prevention programs: A social work perspective.
Blended families: Navigating challenges and fostering resilience.

Health and Healthcare Disparities

Social determinants of health and their impact on vulnerable populations.
Access to healthcare for underserved communities: A social work perspective.
The role of social workers in supporting individuals with chronic illnesses.
Reducing health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities through social work interventions.
Palliative care and the psychosocial aspects of terminal illness.

Human Rights and Social Work

Social work advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
Promoting gender equality through social work initiatives.
Indigenous rights and the role of social workers in reconciliation.
Advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities: A social work perspective.
Social work responses to human rights violations and social justice issues.

Disability and Inclusion

Social work interventions for children with developmental disabilities.
The impact of inclusive employment programs on individuals with disabilities.
Accessibility and social work advocacy for people with physical disabilities.
Autism spectrum disorder: Social work support for individuals and families.
Inclusive recreation programs: Enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.

Veterans and Military Social Work

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the role of social workers in veteran support.
Social work interventions for military families experiencing deployment stress.
Transitioning from military to civilian life: Challenges and opportunities.
The impact of substance abuse on veterans and social work prevention strategies.
Access to mental health services for veterans: A social work perspective.

Community Mental Health Programs

Evaluating the effectiveness of community mental health clinics.
Peer support programs in community mental health: A social work approach.
Social work interventions for reducing stigma around mental illness in communities.
Integrating mental health into primary care settings through collaborative care approaches.
Social workers’ roles in school-based mental health initiatives.

Immigration and Social Work

Social work responds to populations of immigrants and refugees’ mental health issues.
The effect of immigration laws on social service accessibility.
Community integration and social work support for immigrants.
Advocacy for immigrant rights: A social work perspective.
Family reunification and the role of social workers in immigration processes.

Social Work in Rural Communities

Access to healthcare in rural communities: Social work interventions.
Substance abuse prevention in rural settings: Challenges and solutions.
Community development strategies for promoting rural well-being.
Addressing mental health disparities in rural populations: A social work approach.
Social work support for families facing economic challenges in rural areas.

Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice

Integrating trauma-informed care into social work practice.
Addressing childhood trauma through school-based interventions.
Trauma-focused therapies and their application in social work.
Vicarious trauma and self-care strategies for social workers.
The role of social workers in supporting survivors of sexual assault.

Social Work in Schools

School-based bullying prevention programs: A social work perspective.
Social work interventions for students with learning disabilities.
The impact of school social workers on academic success.
Mental health support for at-risk youth in school settings.
The role of social workers in addressing the school-to-prison pipeline.

Criminal Justice and Social Work

Reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals: A social work approach.
Juvenile justice and the role of social workers in rehabilitation.
Addressing racial disparities in the criminal justice system: A social work perspective.
The impact of incarceration on families and social work support.

Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

Principles and applications of community-based participatory research in social work.
Engaging communities in the research process: A CBPR approach.
Evaluating the outcomes of community-based interventions using CBPR.
Challenges and opportunities in implementing CBPR in diverse settings.
Empowering communities through CBPR: Case studies and best practices.

Social Work and Environmental Justice

Climate change and its impact on vulnerable populations: A social work perspective.
Environmental justice and community organizing: Social work interventions.
Sustainable community development and the role of social workers.
Access to clean water and sanitation: A social work advocacy approach.
Indigenous perspectives on environmental justice: A social work lens.

Human Services Administration

Leadership styles in human services administration: A social work perspective.
The role of technology in improving human services delivery.
Strategies for effective human services program evaluation.
Addressing burnout and promoting self-care in human services organizations.
Social work ethics and decision-making in human services administration.

Social Work and Artificial Intelligence

Applications of AI in social work practice: Opportunities and challenges.
The role of chatbots in mental health support: A social work perspective.
Bias and fairness in algorithmic decision-making in social work.
Human-AI collaboration in social work: Enhancing service delivery.

Crisis Intervention and Social Work

Social work responses to natural disasters: Lessons learned and best practices.
Crisis intervention strategies for individuals experiencing acute trauma.
The role of social workers in emergency shelters and disaster recovery.
Trauma-informed care in crisis intervention: A social work approach.
Collaborative approaches to crisis intervention in community settings.

Social Work in the LGBTQ+ Community

LGBTQ+ youth homelessness: Social work interventions and prevention.
Supporting transgender and non-binary individuals in social work practice.
Mental health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community: A social work perspective.
LGBTQ+ inclusive policies in social service organizations.
Social work advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and equal access to services.

Social Work and Aging

Aging in place: Social work interventions for promoting independence.
Social work support for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.
End-of-life decision-making and the role of social workers.
Social isolation among older adults: Strategies for prevention and intervention.
Exploring innovative housing models for aging populations.

Faith-Based Social Work

The intersection of faith and social work: Ethical considerations.
Faith-based organizations in community development: A social work perspective.
Pastoral care and counseling: Social work support in religious communities.
Addressing religious discrimination in social work practice.
Interfaith dialogue and its role in fostering social cohesion: A social work approach.

Social Work in Substance Use Prevention

Social work interventions for preventing substance use among adolescents.
The impact of early childhood experiences on later substance use: A social work perspective.
Prevention programs targeting high-risk populations: A social work approach.
Social work support for families affected by parental substance use.
Community-based strategies for preventing opioid misuse: A social work lens.

Global Mental Health and Social Work

Cultural considerations in global mental health: A social work approach.
Collaborative approaches to addressing mental health stigma globally.
The role of social workers in disaster mental health response internationally.
Integrating traditional healing practices into global mental health interventions.
Comparative analysis of mental health policies and services worldwide.

Social Work and Human-Animal Interaction

Animal-assisted therapy in social work practice: Applications and benefits.
The role of therapy animals in reducing stress and promoting well-being.
Animal cruelty prevention and the role of social workers.
The impact of pet ownership on mental health: A social work perspective.
Ethical considerations in incorporating animals into social work interventions.

Refugee Mental Health and Social Work

Trauma-informed approaches in working with refugee populations.
Social work support for refugee children in educational settings.
Addressing mental health disparities among refugee communities.
Cultural competence in providing mental health services to refugees.
Resettlement challenges and social work interventions for refugees.

Community Resilience and Social Work

Building community resilience in the face of adversity: A social work perspective.
Social work interventions for promoting resilience in vulnerable populations.
Resilience-based mental health programs in schools: A social work approach.
The role of social workers in disaster resilience planning.
Collective trauma and community healing: A social work lens.

Technology and Social Work Ethics

Ethical considerations in the use of social media in social work practice.
Privacy and confidentiality in the age of digital record-keeping.
Ensuring equity in access to technology-based interventions: A social work approach.
Social work responses to cyberbullying: Prevention and intervention strategies.
Ethical guidelines for the use of virtual reality in social work practice.

Social Work in Sports

Sports-based youth development programs: A social work perspective.
The role of social workers in promoting mental health in athletes.
Addressing substance use and performance-enhancing drugs in sports: A social work lens.
Inclusive sports programs for individuals with disabilities: A social work approach.
Social work interventions for preventing and addressing sports-related violence.

Social Work in the Arts

Arts-based interventions in social work practice: Applications and outcomes.
The role of creative expression in trauma recovery: A social work perspective.
Using theater and performance arts in social work education and therapy.
Arts programs for at-risk youth: A social work approach.
The impact of the arts on community well-being: A social work lens.

Social Work and Foster Care Adoption

Social work interventions for successful foster care reunification.
Addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care.
The impact of foster care placement on child development: A social work perspective.
Post-adoption support services: A social work approach.
Cultural competence in transracial and transcultural foster care and adoption.

Social Work in the Gig Economy

The Role of Social Work in Addressing Mental Health Challenges in the Gig Economy
Exploring Social Work Strategies for Supporting Gig Workers’ Financial Stability
Gig Economy and Social Work Advocacy: Ensuring Fair Labor Practices
Navigating Occupational Hazards: Social Work Interventions in Gig Work Environments
Social Work’s Contribution to Promoting Work-Life Balance in the Gig Economy

Emerging Trends in Social Work Research

The Impact of Technology on Social Work Practice: Examine how technology is influencing social work practices and service delivery, considering both advantages and ethical considerations.
Ethical Considerations in the Use of Technology in Social Work Research: Discuss the ethical challenges associated with the integration of technology in social work research and propose guidelines for responsible use.
Cross-Cultural Studies in Social Work: Explore the significance of cross-cultural studies in social work research, promoting a deeper understanding of diverse cultural contexts.
Addressing Global Social Issues through Research: Investigate how social work research can contribute to addressing global social challenges, such as poverty, migration, and climate change.

Tips for Conducting Social Work Research

Developing a Research Question

Craft a research question for social work research topics that is clear, concise, and aligns with the chosen social work research topic. The question should guide the research process and contribute meaningfully to the existing literature.

Choosing Appropriate Research Methods

Select research methods that align with the nature of the research question and the goals of the study. Consider whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches are most suitable for addressing the research objectives.

Ethical Considerations in Social Work Research

Prioritize ethical considerations throughout the research process. Ensure informed consent, confidentiality, and respect for the dignity and rights of research participants.

Resources for Social Work Researchers

Journals and Publications

Explore reputable social work journals and publications to stay updated on the latest research, methodologies, and findings. Examples include the “Journal of Social Work” and the “British Journal of Social Work.”

Professional Organizations

Joining professional organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) provides access to valuable resources, networking opportunities, and conferences that enhance a researcher’s knowledge and skills.

Online Databases and Research Tools

Utilize online databases like PubMed , Social Work Abstracts, and Google Scholar to access a wide range of social work research articles. Additionally, familiarize yourself with research tools and software that can streamline the research process.

In conclusion, the journey of selecting the social work research topics is a crucial step that requires thoughtful consideration and reflection. The chosen topic should align with personal interests, address current social issues, and contribute meaningfully to the field of social work.

As researchers embark on this journey, they have the opportunity to explore diverse areas, from mental health and child welfare to emerging trends in technology and global perspectives.

By following ethical guidelines, employing appropriate research methods, and leveraging valuable resources, social work researchers can make significant contributions to improving the well-being of individuals and communities.

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206 Interesting Social Work Research Topics You Should Consider

Many students struggle to find suitable social work research topics. This field has many subjects that learners can explore in their dissertations. The simplest social work definition describes it as a set of functions that enable you to improve other people’s lives. A social worker helps children and adults cope with daily issues, personal issues, family issues, and relationship troubles.

Considering the scope of this field, selecting an ideal social work research topic can be challenging. Learners have many pressing issues that they can cover in their papers. Nevertheless, choosing an interesting topic is essential in writing a winning dissertation.

Social Work Research Paper Outline

Once you’ve chosen a topic for your social work dissertation or research paper, the next step is to outline it. Your outline should highlight the components of your work, incorporating the argument. Also, identify your stance on an issue, tying up the other parts of the paper because it will enable you to create a thesis statement. Here are the key sections to highlight in your outline.

Introduction: The intro should present your study’s background while providing relevant details of the problem. Use a strong opening phrase to grab your readers’ attention and engage them so they can read the rest of the paper. The introduction should present your study’s context, formulate its primary goal, and end with an effective thesis statement. Main body: This section should feature the main arguments. It highly depends on your research type and the methods you use. It may include a literature review analyzing other scholars’ findings and identifying gaps in previous studies. Also, this section explains the methods you use in your research, results, and discussions. Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the findings and wrap up the dissertation. You can restate your thesis statement to remind readers about your position on the issue and your goal. The best approach is to reward the thesis statement persuasively while encouraging readers to think about the problem. Also, you can recommend further research explaining why the topic is worth exploring.

After drafting an outline, you can proceed to research and write your social work paper. Edit and proofread the work or seek professional assistance to ensure its quality.

General Social Work Research Topics Ideas

Maybe you want to write a thesis on general topics in this study field. In that case, here are ideas you can explore in your paper.

How substance abuse influence parenting
Teenager adoption- Happiness and hardships that come with it
How to address the inclination to commit suicide
Should society question the stigma surrounding mental sickness?
Foster homes and group therapy- Is it effective?
How does the lack of child support affect childcare
Investigating autistic children and social displacement
How does clinical depression affect adolescent children
How does continuous mobility influence orphan toddlers
Analyzing the stigma surrounding depression
How to manage intrinsic PTSD for medical veterans
Exploring the stigma surrounding disability
How homelessness influences a person’s psychology
How does displacement influence aggressiveness among street children
How the works of several agencies affect child protection
Exploring perceptions and attitudes of oppression between the community and health professionals
Addressing cultural perspectives- Transiting to social work
The social worker’s role in deciding to end life
Lifelong learning model- Exploring evidence-based practices
The reflection law- a learning model or self-indulgence in social work

These are general ideas worth exploring in your social work dissertation. Nevertheless, please select any of these titles when confident you will be comfortable working on them.

Common Social Worker Research Topics

Maybe you’re searching for something your readers can quickly identify with when reading your paper. If so, this section lists some of the best ideas to investigate in your social work thesis.

How to create dyslexia patients’ awareness
Analyzing similarities and differences between ADHD and dyslexia
How alcoholism affects personal, family, and social lifestyle
How a family can exacerbate depression
Why academic and social integration matter for kids suffering from down syndrome
Investigating the social exclusion of kids with down syndrome
The effectiveness of anti-depressants- A clinical study
How alcoholism affects a person’s psyche
The positive impact of sponsors on recovering addicts’ lives
Investigating family support and its effects on alcohol recovery
Why group therapy matters for foster home children
How clinical depression affects teenage girls
How the lack of support affects child care in America
How ADHD affects foster home children
How mental illness misdiagnosis affects people
How to address suicidal tendencies in military units
Why social interrogation matters when dealing with stigma surrounding mental illness
How parents’ bipolar affects their children’s lives and parenting
Is childhood displacement the cause of antisocial lifestyle among foster children?
The joys and struggles of teenagers’ adoption
Investigating the undisclosed rape violence cases among military women- How it affects their service and lives
How substance abuse affects parenting
Child-parent separation- Investigating the stigma it brings
Positive impacts of divorce on children’s lifestyle and health
Addressing substance abuse issues among teenagers
How death affects a family’s well-being
Family support study- Is it a viable option for alcohol recovery?

Most people will identify with these topics because they touch on issues with which they are familiar. However, investigate the matter you select carefully to develop a winning dissertation.

Exciting Social Work Research Questions

Maybe you want to answer a question in your thesis paper. If so, consider any of these questions as a topic for your essay.

How can you support an adult living with a disability?
What are the social and psychological impacts of student loans?
What are the psychological, physical, and emotional effects of incarceration of pregnant mothers?
What challenges do minority children face in foster homes?
Transformative change- Can police brutality enhance it?
How can society deal with the rising obesity in America?
How can we support bipolar patients?
What are the effects of incarcerated individuals’ entry into the community?
What is the percentage of incarcerated adults among minority groups?
Does substance misuse increase alcoholism cases?
How does community violence affect LGBT lives?
What is the difference between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2?
Can trauma inform children’s education in foster homes?
Can protesting police brutality promote transformative change?
Does divorce affect all children’s psyches negatively?
Does foster homes’ trauma cause kids’ disappearance from the facility?
Can implementing learning curriculums with a positive impact on dyslexic students enhance academics?
Does trauma-informed learning reflect parenting?
Do food and house security affect foster children throughout their lives?
Has the criminal justice system failed social lifestyle in America?
What are the primary workplace trauma signs?
How can society address workplace violence?
How do scarcity and poverty affect young children’s psychology?
How can you identify depression in a teenager?
Has the American healthcare system failed minority groups?
What are the risks of kids-parent separation?
What are the impacts of living with dyslexia?
Is depression a mental disorder?
What are the effects of racial disparity?

Any of these questions can be an excellent title for your dissertation. Nevertheless, consult various information sources to write a high-quality paper.

Human Services Research Paper Topics

Human services is a part of the social work field dealing with issues related to human services, factors affecting them, and how to address the challenges. Here are ideas to consider in this category.

How to address panic, anxiety, and depression in young children
The psychological impact of human trafficking on victims
Psychological effects of child trafficking
Similarities between adult incarceration and juvenile delinquency
How unemployment affects people
Factors that increase depression cases among the youth
Police system- Defunded, reformed, or abolished?
How the carceral system in America affects minority and low-income homes
Social integration of dyslexic and down syndrome patients
Effective ways to enhance welfare conditions
Food banks and their adverse psychological effects
The benefits of food banks on American lives
The impact of home violence on children
The result of high school bullying
Why welfare workers need support groups and therapy
How to enhance love in foster homes
Resilience practice among social workers
Juvenile delinquency impacts in America
The shortcomings of America’s carceral system
How to address the homophobia issue in the U.S
How homophobia affects LGBT+ adults
What causes family violence?
How to address spousal violence
How family cruelty affects lives
Undiagnosed bipolar cases and their effects
Impacts of misdiagnosed mental illnesses
How to enhance LGBTQ+ kids’ support systems
The result of home insecurity on the homeless
How to bridge the gap between community members and formerly incarcerated individuals
Incarceration- Abolished or reformed?

These human services topics are worth investigating in a research paper. However, take the time to research your chosen title to write an exciting piece.

Controversial Topics In Social Work

Some social work essay topics are controversial. Some people find these titles controversial because they provoke public interest. Here are some of them.

Flood and hurricane survivors and their hidden trauma
How hurricanes affect low-income neighborhoods
Trafficking- How it affects a society’s social well-being
Unreported abuse cases in homes and how they promote violence
Social, health, and psychological implications of the abortion ban for rape victims
Why the community should enhance awareness of AIDS stigmatization
Therapy continuous cycle- Why a therapist requires therapy
The unnoticed and hidden trauma among therapists and counselors
How court-sanctioned confinement promotes mental illness instead of facilitating correlation
How to address violence- Is it a social problem in the correctional system?
Sexual health education- Is it vital for incarcerated women?
How social media affects a person’s mental health and well-being
The effectiveness of different types of therapy for treating mental health disorders.
The prevalence of Eating Disorders in developed countries.
The role of family dynamics in the development and treatment of Eating Disorders.
How do different cultures view mental health and mental illness?
Is there a link between creativity and mental illness?
Does psychiatric medication use lead to higher recovery rates from mental illness?
What are the most effective interventions for helping people with substance abuse problems?
How to deal with grief and loss?
How can we better support people with chronic physical health conditions?
Drug abuse- Is it increasing in low-income neighborhoods?
The negative impacts of incarceration on the imprisoned people’s psychological well-being
Reasons to investigate confinement and its dangers
Ways to help addicts facing high drug vulnerability
How cognitive-behavioral therapy enhances the relationship between social workers and their situations or environments
The health benefits of hypnosis on individuals
Why treatment is essential for less represented groups
Distinguishing undiagnosed depression and clinical depression
A qualitative investigation of dyslexia among adolescents
How empathy can enhance the social work sector
Why qualitative examination of foster homes for peace and child safety matters

These are controversial topics to consider in this academic field. Prepare to take a stance and defend it if you pick any of these social work project ideas.

Social Work Topics For Presentation

Maybe you want to include a presentation in your paper. That’s because social work is a practical field requiring some displays. Consider the following titles for your essay if you want to include a presentation.

What are Stockholm syndrome and its effects?
How to understand syndrome victims better
How incest affects homes
Investigating sexually violated kids
Why free healthcare matters in foster homes and low-income neighborhoods
How adult incarceration and juvenile delinquency affect society
Juvenile delinquency and trauma
LGBTQ+ children trauma and adolescent transitioning
Foster kids and neglect-syndrome
Why diversity matters in the social work sector
Social workers- Understanding their trauma
Foster parenting- What are the positive impacts?
Do foster homes create a safe space?
Foster parents and their roles in preventing violence
Social workers and their role in preventing drug abuse
The effects of domestic violence
Psychological violence and its damages
How spirituality affects techniques in social works
Social works and their historical development
Social work and its importance in schools
Why teenagers’ therapy matters
Exploring the challenges facing social workers in the forensics sector
Investigating the struggles facing the minority groups
Studying abuse and violence in middle-class homes
Why finance matters in social works sustenance
The impact of compassion fatigue
Modern social workers and their challenges
Drug abuse and its effects on children
Why inclusivity matters in social works
Same-sex relationships- Why they matter to a social worker
Why high schools need drug sensitization
Investigating depression stereotypes

Pick any of these ideas and use them to draft a paper that includes a presentation. Nevertheless, research your topic extensively to prepare a winning dissertation.

Interesting Social Work Topics

Some issues in social work draw more attention than others because they are unique. Here are such topics.

The impacts of pregnancy on teenage mothers
The increasing pressure and effects of social media on teenagers’ lives
How welfare systems relate to low-income neighborhoods
Why are rehabilitation centers are essential in America than carceral systems
How cultural beliefs and gender roles affect marriages
Low labor and its role in workplace abuse
How the increasing housing cost affects young millennials
The part of abortion bans on psychological issues
How birth control roles affect society negatively
How are teenagers, the general community, and school related?
Analyzing first-time menstrual experiences and their impact on teenage girls within foster homes
Wellness therapy and its sustainability
Investigating poverty prevalence in the American Deep South- How it prevents the growth
The implications of relationships on social workers’ interactions
The negative impact of conversion therapy on the LGBTQ+ community
How an inclusive and functional healthcare system enhances social growth
Shelter homes women- Investigating their life experiences
The prevalent racial disparity in food bank systems in America
Understanding social relegations and stigma of welfare mothers
Client-therapist relationship- Investigating psychiatric therapists and their work

These topics address relevant issues that society often neglects. Pick any idea in this category and explore it further through research and analysis.

Social Work Thesis Topics

Educators will ask you to write different papers when pursuing social work studies. A sociology thesis is among the documents you might write when pursuing a master’s or Ph.D. studies. Here are topics to consider for these papers.

Investigating expecting mothers’ postpartum depression
How interdependency differs from codependency among youth adults
Emotional unavailability in homes- Does it enhance codependency?
Codependency- Is it a displacement feature?
Foster kids and future attachment methods
Social work and disability disparity
Disability challenges facing the healthcare system
Compassion integration in social works
ADHD- What are the most common myths about it?
How emotionally immature parents affect their adult children psychologically
Drug addiction and treatment plans
Addressing challenges facing visually impaired students
Investigating foster homes and child abuse
The emotional impact of a transition into a nursing home
Exploring immigrant families and parenthood
The intricacies of child labor

These are exciting topics to consider for your social work thesis. Nevertheless, prepare adequate time and resources to investigate any of these titles to develop a paper that will earn you the best grade.

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225 Social Work Research Topics For College Students – Ideas for College Students

Social work is an important job that helps improve people’s lives, families, and communities. Research is a key part of social work studies. It allows you to look deeply into social issues, understand different views, and contribute to the growing knowledge in this field.

Picking the right research topic can be tough. That’s why we’ve made a list of 225 interesting social work research topics. These topics cover many areas, such as child welfare, mental health, addiction, community development, and social justice.

This list is meant to give you ideas, make you think critically, and provide knowledge to help make a real difference in social work.

Importance of Choosing a Relevant Topic

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Picking a good research topic is super important for a few reasons. First, it makes sure your research fits with current issues and trends in social work. By choosing a topic that deals with challenges happening now or builds on existing knowledge, you can contribute to ongoing talks and help develop effective solutions and rules.

Also, a good topic increases the chances that your research findings will be helpful to social workers, policymakers, and communities. Social work directly impacts people’s lives, and by researching important matters, you can potentially create positive change and inform decision-making.

Furthermore, a well-chosen topic can keep you motivated and involved throughout the research process. When you are truly interested and passionate about the subject, you are more likely to approach the research with enthusiasm and hard work, leading to better results.

It is also important to consider if there are enough resources and data available for your chosen topic. Selecting a topic with plenty of existing writings, reliable data sources, and people to research can make the process smoother and increase the credibility of your findings.

Moreover, a good topic can open up opportunities to collaborate with organizations, agencies, or communities actively working in that area, providing opportunities to apply your research and further explore the subject matter.

Recommended Readings: “ Data Communication And Networking Micro Project Topics: Amazing Guide! “.

Tips for Selecting a Research Topic

Picking a topic for research is an important first step. Your topic should be something you truly care about and want to explore deeply. Here are some tips for choosing an engaging and meaningful social work research topic:

Find Areas You Really Like

Make a list of the social issues or groups of people that you are most interested in. Think about personal experiences, volunteer work, internships, or classes that made you curious and want to learn more. Having a real interest will keep you motivated throughout the whole research process.

Look at Current Information

Look through recent journals, books, and reliable websites related to your interests. Note any gaps in knowledge or questions that come up from the existing information. These gaps can point you toward relevant research topics.

Consider Real-World Impact

Choose a topic that has the potential to inform policies, practices, or ways to help that can create positive social change. Research that can be applied in real-world situations is especially valuable in social work.

Make Sure Data Exists

Ensure there is enough data available to support an in-depth study of your chosen topic. This may include access to case studies, survey data, records, or people to participate in your research.

Narrow Your Focus

While social issues are often very broad and complex, a focused research topic is easier to manage and allows for deeper exploration. Narrow your topic to a specific population, geographic area, or part of the larger issue.

Get Input from Others

Talk to professors, professionals in the field, or experienced researchers for their insights and suggestions on potential topics. Their expertise can help you refine your ideas and identify promising areas for research.

Think About Ethics

As a social worker, it’s important to consider the ethical impacts of your research, such as protecting participants’ rights and well-being, addressing potential biases, and being sensitive to cultural differences.

Be Flexible

While it’s important to have a clear research focus, be open to adjusting your topic as you learn more from reading materials or encounter new perspectives during the research process.

Choosing a well-defined and meaningful research topic is the base for producing valuable social work research that can add to knowledge and drive positive change.

Social work covers a wide range of issues and groups of people, making it a rich and diverse area for research. The 225 topics listed here are just a small part of the many important areas ready for exploration.

From child well-being and mental health to criminal justice and human rights, each topic offers a chance to examine complex societal challenges deeply and contribute to developing impactful solutions.

As students start their research journeys, they have the potential to uncover new insights, challenge existing ways of thinking, and ultimately improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

With genuine interest, hard work, and a commitment to ethical and rigorous research, social work students can make meaningful contributions that drive positive change in our constantly changing world.

How do I know if a research topic is relevant to social work?

A relevant research topic in social work addresses current societal issues, aligns with the goals of social work practice, and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

What are some examples of social work research topics related to social justice?

Examples include investigating disparities in access to healthcare, analyzing the impact of systemic racism on marginalized communities, and evaluating policies aimed at promoting social equity.

How can I narrow down a broad research topic in social work?

You can narrow down a broad research topic by focusing on a specific population, geographic location, or aspect of the issue. Conducting a literature review can also help identify gaps and areas for further exploration.

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140 Amazing Social Work Research Topics for Students

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If you are a student who is pursuing a degree in social work, then during your course of study your professor will for sure ask you to submit a social work research paper. Usually, while giving the research assignments, your professors will provide a list of social work research topics for you to choose from. In case, your professors fail to provide the topics list, you need to explore and spot a good topic for your research paper. Basically, it is a challenging process to search and find an ideal research paper topic .

Therefore, to help you out in finding a good topic, here, in this blog post, we have added a list of excellent social work research topics and ideas along with some topic selection tips. In case, you run short of ideas, take help from this blog post.

What is a Social Work Research Paper?

It is an academic paper that is composed on any social work topics after performing in-depth research. Basically, social work research is a kind of investigation that is done in compliance with scientific methods. In simple terms, it can also be identified as the application of a research method that is primarily used to fix the problems faced by social workers.

The ultimate aim of the social work research paper is to widen the social work knowledge of students. Besides that, it also aims to identify accurate solutions for the real-time troubles that are present in society. Your professors will mainly ask you to write this academic paper at the end of the course to evaluate how well you have gained knowledge of social work concepts.

Social Work Research Paper Topic Selection Tips

In the research paper writing process, topic selection is the first and most important step. As the topic plays a vital role in the success of your research paper, at the time of topic selection, you should be more careful. Find here, some key topic selection tips that will help you in identifying a good social work research paper topic.

Always choose a unique and practical topic that matches your field of interest.
Give preference to a topic that breaks social stereotypes.
Go with a topic that is flexible to conduct research and analysis.
Select a topic that is associated with social work application theories and principles.
Pick a social work research question that allows you to generate reasonable solutions or arguments.
Give importance to a topic that has extensive information and many sources of reference and practical examples.
Avoid picking frequently discussed topics from the field of social work.
Finalize the topic only if it satisfies the social work research paper writing guidelines shared by your university or professor.

After you selected a topic for your academic paper, discuss it with your supervisor and get approval. Seeking advice from supervisors before you begin writing the paper will help you to improve the quality of your writing and get impressive grades.

See Also – Top Sociology Research Topics and Ideas for Students

List of the Best Social Work Research Paper Topics

Are you struggling to find a good topic for your social work research paper? Cool! Just explore the entire list presented below and spot a topic that syncs with your interest. In the list, you can find numerous social work research topics and ideas related to different trending issues that exist in our society.

Awesome Social Work Research Ideas

Discuss the major issues juvenile delinquents faces globally.
Explain how to deal with people who are experiencing homelessness.
Suggest the best strategy to counteract the bullying of disabled children.
Write about the best pre and post-birth assistance to surrogate mothers.
Describe the challenges that single-parent face while raising their children.
Study the increase in suicide rates among people who are serving in the military.
How to meet the unique needs of sexually exploited children.
Explain how to approach dyslexia cases.
Discuss the effect of interracial adoption on the growth of children.
Explain how to build resilience in welfare or social workers.
What causes child abuse in orphanages?
Explain the ethical issues associated with human trafficking.
What are the major types of child abuse in society?
How does childhood trauma affect their growth?
Explain how domestic violence affects a family.
Ethical rules are important when working with human trafficking victims.
Inclination towards committing suicide- Method to deal with the issue.
Impact of alcoholism on society, personal lifestyle, and the family of the person.
The percentage of incarcerated adults from the minority group.
Best ways to offer support to bipolar patients.
Consequences of incarcerated people reentering their community.
Is there a connection between divorce and the health and lifestyle of children?
Analyzing the trauma of parent-child separation.
Discuss the concept of substance abuse among teenagers.
Identify the similarities and distinctions between ADHD and Dyslexia.

Interesting Social Work Research Paper Topics

Analyze the effect of play therapy interventions in school counseling.
Write about alternative social work practices.
How does diversity affect various communities?
Explain the impact of sexual violence on adolescent girls.
How should social workers deal with pedophilia victims?
Explain how to work with immigrants in social care.
How does poverty influence the proper growth of children?
Discuss the common types of elder abuse.
Analyze the challenges faced by deported women globally.
What is the greatest risk of fetal alcohol exposure?
How social workers should prevent burnout?
Explain the effect of corporate social responsibility on the well-being of society.
Study the problems faced by vulnerable people who get medical help.
Explain how environmental social work is undertaken.
Discuss the positive and negative effects of health care reforms.
Case study analysis- Inclusive and functional healthcare system improves social development.
How can death affect the integrated wellness of a family?
The role of a family in exacerbating the occurrence of depression.

High-quality Social Work Research Topics

What are the best social service strategies for refugees?
How can backyard farming be used to empower women?
Explain how the generation gap affects culture.
Describe the influence of unemployment on immigrants.
Explain the importance of peer service providers in addressing reproductive health.
Share the importance of gender sensitivity in helping the LGBT community.
Present the major problems faced by social workers in social work.
Analyze the effects of alcohol and drug abuse among young people.
Discuss the effectiveness of the prohibition of liquor.
Share the major reasons for the increased rate of crime in society.
Discuss the major factors that lead to incest.
Explain the effect of the welfare scheme on the performance of workers.
Present the central issues associated with special education.
Analyze the effect of street hawking among teenage girls.
How to establish a high school service-learning program.

Fascinating Social Work Research Topics

Investigate the experience of AIDS caregivers.
How should social workers handle gay and lesbian adoption?
Examine the health experiences of older women in rural areas.
Explain the roles of social workers in Palliative Care.
What are the factors that influence racism globally?
Share the importance of couple therapy in building relationships.
Explain the consequences of living with Dyslexia.
Discuss the effects of community violence on the lives LGBT+ community.
Evaluate the overall effect of social work in the USA.
Examine the living modes of stigmatized women in society.

Brilliant Social Work Thesis Topics

How does death affect the collective well-being of the family?
Share the effects of ADHD within foster homes on children.
Analyze the social problems faced by Autism children.
How to handle life when both parents suffer from Alzheimer’s?
Have a closer look at the myths associated with Welfare mothers.
Analyze the negative effects of conversion therapy on the LGBTQ+ community.
Explain how socioeconomic disparity affects the old.
How to address workplace violence.
Analyze the connection between welfare systems and low-income neighborhoods
Discuss the social and mental effects of loans on students.

Captivating Social Work Research Topics

Explain the effective ways to improve the participation of adolescents in the development of the local community.
Analyze the effectiveness of family therapy in a mental health setting.
Explain the development of successful smoking cessation programs.
Discuss the reasons why people become shopaholics.
What are the core concepts to be followed while delivering human services?
Analyze the successes and failures of drug rehabilitation programs.
Focus on youth development across different countries.
Examine the importance of illness burden on socioeconomic status.
How to enhance the academic performance of a student from a very backward community.
Investigate the relationship between income and behavioral health.

Awesome Social Work Research Questions

Describe the factors that cause family violence.
Examine the suicide prevention protocols in your location.
Analyze the risk factors associated with secondary traumatic stress.
How does substance abuse affect parenting?
Explain how homophobia affects LGBTQ+ adults.
Write about prenatal depression in expecting mothers.
How can bipolar patients receive support?
Explain how to cope with the stigma of having served in prison.
Discuss the challenges experienced by minority kids in foster homes.
How to encourage women to report domestic violence.
Review the undisclosed latest cases of rape violence amongst women in the military and how it impacts their lives and service
Analyse why social and academic integration is important for children with Down syndrome
Descriptive analysis of the difference and similarities between ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and Dyslexia
Discuss the risk factors of dangerous grief and how it impacts the future life of someone
How a social worker can undertake grief counseling for families that have lost a loved one?
Describe the most effective healing strategies for and ways to meet the unique needs of sexually exploited children and adolescents
Describe the best ways to work with elders experiencing any kind of cognitive impairment
Describe the impact of positive and negative attitudes of social workers on the old age people

Impressive Social Work Research Topics

What are the effects of the Russian-Ukraine war on society?
Explain the Effects of diversity on children with disabilities.
Discuss the power issues in divorce mediation.
Explain the benefits associated with social health education among incarcerated women.
Analyze the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community.
Explain the importance of religion in reducing stereotypes.
Discuss the role of the media in shaping antisemitism stereotypes.
Write about the damages caused by psychological violence.
Discuss the major problems faced by welfare workers.

Wrapping Up

From the list of ideas suggested above, feel free to choose any topic of your interest and craft an outstanding social work research paper. In case you need any other unique research topic or if you want expert help to prepare your social work research paper without plagiarism, then quickly contact us. On our platform, we have numerous academic writers who are masters in the field of social work to offer you high-quality assignment help . Right from the social work research paper topic selection phase to proofreading, our subject professionals will provide amazing support 24/7. Moreover, utilizing our social work assignment help service would aid you in completing your research paper in advance of your submission date and securing top grades.

Just book your order and earn great scholastic benefits offered by our service.

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Social Work Research Topics

Table of contents

1 What is a Social Work Research Paper?
2 Tips for Selecting a Good Topic for a Social Work Research Paper
3.1 Social Work Research Topics for Beginners
3.2 Social Work Research Topics for College Students
3.3 Human Services Research Paper Topics
3.4 Interesting Social Work Research Paper Topics
3.5 Controversial Social Work Research Paper Topics
3.6 Social Work Thesis Topics
3.7 Critical Social Work Research Paper
3.8 Disputable Social Work Research Topics
3.9 Social Work Topics for Presentation
3.10 Social Work Research Paper for Literature Review

With these topics in mind, you can explore further into the field of social work and gain a better understanding of how research can help shape our society for the better. Read on to learn what is a social research paper, review helpful tips to select one, and explore a list of the 100 best social work research topics ideas.

What is a Social Work Research Paper?

A social work research paper is a document that presents facts, analysis, and research findings about a particular social work topic. Students often find it overwhelming to find the best social work topics for their research papers. Also, it’s not always possible to buy research paper and avoid the investigation altogether. Researching and writing about these topics can help students understand the causes of social issues and how to address them best.

It also provides insights into how to improve services for those who are most vulnerable and in need of assistance. The most popular social work research topics are those that treat issues of this kind, and they can be excellent as research papers.

However, focusing on the most popular research topics for social work is not the only option. It is important for students to analyze the topic they like and learn more about it. Even better if the work can somehow help solve a problem in their community. A research paper with factually accurate data and information can help you make your project look more engaging and informative. But it can also have an impact right away.

For these reasons, writing a research paper on social work can be a rewarding experience for students. It allows them to expand their knowledge along with developing a sense of empathy towards the community. Furthermore, it is important to select a topic that is relevant to the field of social work and provides enough scope for further exploration.

Tips for Selecting a Good Topic for a Social Work Research Paper

There are many topics in the field of social work that are important for understanding various aspects of social problems, their causes, and effective solutions. Research in this area can take many forms, including quantitative studies and qualitative interviews.

To write an effective social work paper, students should learn how to identify and assess topics that can add value to their project. Selecting topics that allow you to develop evidence-based interventions and include the necessary amount of information can be helpful. When selecting a topic, consider the various aspects of social work, such as its history, current trends, legal implications, and ethical considerations. Generally speaking, choose a topic that is flexible enough to conduct research and analysis.

Additionally, look for topics that allow you to focus on one particular area without getting overwhelmed by the amount of information available. Having access to adequate resources such as journals and books that provide in-depth information about your chosen topic is also helpful. Also, don’t forget to interview a social worker active in the field to have first-hand impressions. This will make it easier to select a good topic for your social work research paper.

You can also consider getting help for your research paper from professional writers. They can help you manage all aspects of the process, including choosing a suitable topic. In some cases, you can also get a “ write my research paper ” option. This allows you to get the job done by a professional or get a piece that you only have to fine-tune. Another piece of advice is to do a quick scan of available resources, both offline and online. Moreover, choose a unique and practical topic that differentiates you from other students.

Here are some additional tips to help you select a good topic for a social work research paper.

Read Extensively. Reading widely about a general topic that interests you is crucial. Consider writing down the ideas, information, and sources that interest you the most. You can then review the notes to select a topic. Consider your interests and expertise in the field of social work. If you are passionate about a particular topic or have prior experience in it, then this could be the perfect place to start your research. Doing quick research on each potential topic before choosing one will help you decide whether it’s worth writing.

Select a Relevant Topic. Make sure the topic you choose is relevant to the field of social work you intend to work on or you’ve been tasked to analyse. An irrelevant topic that does not have any connection with the subject will fail to interest the readers. This may lead to a dull paper or, if you’re a student, to a low mark or a fail. Select a topic related to social work application theories. Think about the latest trends in social work and identify topics that are currently being discussed or researched by other people. Explore different current events related to social work and determine if there is anything relevant that could be best for your paper.

Choose a Specific Topic . A research topic that is too broad or too narrow can make it difficult to carry out research. If the topic is too wide, you may end up writing in general and not including the information that is necessary. Selecting a specific topic will allow you to conduct detailed research and provide reasonable arguments and solutions. With so many potential topics to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down the choices and select one. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make this process easier. Firstly, understand the context of your research paper and set specific goals to select a topic that is both meaningful and manageable.

Consider a Flexible Topic. Go with a topic that is flexible and allows you to conduct research and analysis. Find a unique topic that matches your field of interest and add value to your research paper. Choosing a flexible topic will help you provide real benefits to the readers. A flexible topic will provide you with numerous opportunities to explore different aspects of a particular issue or event. Additionally, by selecting a flexible topic that allows for multiple arguments and solutions, you can ensure that your paper is comprehensive and engaging.

Discuss With Others. Another great way to select a good social work topic for a research paper is by communicating with other students and researchers. You can also discuss it with your professors and learn about their opinions. By discussing with other students or professors, you can get different perspectives on potential topics and gain valuable insights. Moreover, talking to other people about their experiences in social work can help you discover your interest and select the best possible topic for your research paper .

Selecting a good topic for your social work research paper may feel overwhelming. With careful thought and consideration, you can find a relevant and appropriate one for the paper. To help you in this process, here is a broad list of social work research topics.

Social Work Research Topics for Beginners

Social work research papers are a great way to explain the complex issues affecting individuals, families, and communities. Newcomers can still write a persuasive research paper in this field by sharing their own experiences.

If you are a beginner, then the following research topics for social work can be best for you:

The impacts that clinical depression has on adolescents
Impact of alcoholism on family members and personal lifestyle
Hardships and happiness in adopting a teenager
How to become social workers? What are the legal requirements?
Why do we need more women leaders in our community?
Why it’s important to raise awareness to stop domestic violence?
The importance of women denouncing domestic violence
The effects of alcohol on a person’s behavior and sociality
Depression and society: stigmas and stereotypes
The best strategies for ensuring the health and basic education for every child

Social Work Research Topics for College Students

College students can benefit from performing in-depth research on a specific topic and applying theories, concepts, and principles of social work in their research papers. To help you select a specific topic of your interest, here are some popular ones in the field of social work:

Possible solutions to limit child abuse in society
How to fight the bullying of disabled children
Effects of domestic violence on family members
Raising a child as a single parent: challenges and strategies
Helping bipolar patients: effective strategies
How divorce impacts children’s lifestyle and upbringing
Reasons and prevention of the increase in suicide rates among students
Drugs abuse among teenagers: an insight
The impact of interracial adoption on children’s development
Fighting human trafficking: strategies and issues

There are a few common problems that may arise when writing a social work research paper, such as difficulty in finding relevant sources, inability to properly structure the paper or difficulty in staying focused on the topic.

Human Services Research Paper Topics

Students interested in delivering care and support to individuals or communities in need can select a human services topic for their research paper. You can find a topic related to helping empower people, providing guidance in their everyday lives, or offering resources to meet their needs.

Here are a few example topics that you may select:

An essay on homophobia
Causes and impacts of child trafficking
Effective ways to deal with depression and anxiety among students
Impact of unemployment on the society
How to prevent the most common causes of depression among teenagers
Gender disparity and incarceration: an overview
Effect of feminism throughout the ages
How does racism affect society?
The importance of freedom of speech
Social structure for disabled people

Interesting Social Work Research Paper Topics

While the following social work research topics list will help you find a good topic, communicating with experts in this field is also helpful. Consider choosing a topic that will make an impact on society and provide value to your audience.

How does parental drug use impact children?
Changing career to social work: what does it take?
The development of social work throughout the history
Women and alcohol
What are the benefits of free education?
Why should the educational system be accessible to everyone?
Abortion: history and modern thoughts
Is feminism a plot of modern society?
Effective ways to decrease criminal activities
The influence of war and peace on children’s minds

Controversial Social Work Research Paper Topics

It is important to note that the following research paper topics may be controversial and complex. Approaching controversial research topics with sensitivity and conducting thorough research before drawing any conclusions can help you write a good research paper .

Does the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy enhance the lives of jailed people’s lives?
What do people think about war in our peaceful times?
Racial profiling for criminal cases: is it really effective?
Impact of abortion on women
The importance of receiving family support for LGBT teenagers
Effects of community on the mental health of minorities
Depression: Major symptoms and causes
How the criminal justice system benefits from social workers
Preventing suicide in schools: understanding reasons and finding solutions
Does poverty affect your mental health?

Social Work Thesis Topics

A social work thesis is a research paper that focuses on a specific topic related to social work practice. A good thesis can demonstrate your ability to conduct independent research and apply theoretical concepts to address various social work issues and causes.

Explore this list to find a suitable topic for your social work thesis:

Conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ individuals: definition and effects
Use of medication in treating mental health disorders
How does social media affect mental health?
Immigration policies: Impact on families and children
Race and racism affecting mental health
Restorative justice programs in the criminal justice system
Police brutality on communities of color
The impact of climate change on vulnerable populations
Strategies social workers can use to address income inequality
Healing from domestic violence: Tips and advice

Critical Social Work Research Paper

If you want to focus on ongoing critical issues in this field then here are a few interesting topics for you:

Effectiveness of therapy and why it works for some.
Mindfulness and its importance in the process of recovery
The effectiveness of wellness therapy
Is mental health neglected in low-income and poor households
Social integration of individuals with Down syndrome
Everything about drug rehabilitation programs
The impact of psychological abuse in promoting low self-esteem
The current role of government in improving welfare conditions
How does stress response in children with autism work?
In-depth analysis of children raised in abusive homes

Disputable Social Work Research Topics

By writing on disputable social issues essay topics , you can explain the current state of society and an important way to raise awareness on a variety of issues. From racism to gender inequality, there are plenty of topics that can be explored in a research paper. Before you start writing, gain insight into why certain disputable problems exist and explore potential solutions.

Here is a list of disputable research topics for social work:

Why some people become shopaholics
Best ways to improve the participation of adolescents in the development of the local community
What’s the effect of welfare policies in fighting poverty
A report on AIDS caregivers and their experience
Best practices to improve the health system in rural areas
What is fuelling racism on a global level?
Couple therapy in building relationships: Pros and cons
Addressing workplace violence: Steps for leaders and managers
An overview of social problems faced by autistic children
How income and behavioral health are connected

Social Work Topics for Presentation

You can make your presentation more engaging by adding relevant graphs, charts, or images. Start by selecting and researching a topic that is relevant to your audience. The following list of social work topics to research can help you create an engaging presentation:

Child welfare and protection
Immigration and refugees
Community development and empowerment
Mental health services and support
LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy
Aging and elder care
Homelessness and housing insecurity
Domestic violence and abuse
Disability rights and services
Social work integration in healthcare services

Social Work Research Paper for Literature Review

A literature review should be written in a way that covers the most recent and relevant research in the field. Here are some common social work topics suitable for a literature review:

Understanding the significance of poverty on child development
Evidence-based practices in substance abuse treatment
Nutrition assistance programs
Juvenile justice system
Research on the gender pay gap
Why do some people experience homelessness?
The importance of early childhood education
Benefits of career counseling
Educational achievements of childcare in America
Welfare programs for immigrants

One of the most pressing challenges of social work researchers is finding reliable and relevant sources for their work. Online essay writers can be a great asset in this regard, as they can provide reliable information backed up by research and data. Furthermore, they can also provide creative and thoughtful insights into the topic at hand, making them invaluable resources for social work research.

While selecting a good social work topic can be challenging, the above-mentioned lists can help you write a good research paper. Once you select a topic, make sure it is relevant, interesting, and appropriate for your task or purpose.

From researching existing materials on your chosen topic to considering the scope of the project in terms of current trends in social work, there are a few things that will make your social work research paper stand out from others. Now that you have a comprehensive list of topics, you’re ready to find the best one for your needs and write a convincing and data-driven research paper for your audience.

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300 Social Work Research Topics & Questions for Papers

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Social work research focuses primarily on studying problems experienced in social work field. The research, in this case, talks about challenges that caseworkers go through in their practice. Social work research topics cover various things, including problems in welfare work, and indicate how research can be used to gain a deep understanding of the issues. Have you been wondering how to develop an intriguing social work topic and possible areas to discuss in your research? Don't worry because this article by our online paper writing service covers all your concerns. The blog post will provide some social work research topic ideas that you can consider for your social work research.

What Are Social Work Research Topics?

Social work research topics are areas of study that involve applying research methodology to comprehend sectors that are challenging for social workers. These topic ideas concentrate on addressing some problems that caseworkers go through both in their lives and their field. Research topics for social work may vary. However, like any other research paper, writing social work research topics deals with application of related theories and concepts, as well as understanding the entire casework aspects. The research involves applying cause and effect, analytic, survey, and experimental procedures to find ways to address welfare challenges. The purpose of welfare work study is to understand the efficiency of various interventions used to address challenges people develop due to welfare deprivation.

Characteristics of Good Social Work Topics

As an individual seeking to conduct research in welfare work areas, you need to know some of the features that make social work topics to be of great value. Below are characteristics that will make topics for social work research incredible.

A good topic covers modern trends and incorporates the ideas in the social field.
The topic should break specific stereotypes using reasonable evidence.
It must also be supported by various studies that are peer-reviewed.
Topic chosen must be related to practices in the welfare field.

How to Choose a Social Work Topic?

A plan to decide on excellent social work topics to research starts with a general orientation into social work field. Here are some steps involved when choosing a social work research topic.

Pick a sector with research potential or simply the one you like.
Start with “why” and “what” questions and expand on them.
Read data on faculty’s research interests.
Read a proper research paper that find interesting and focus on literature review and background sections to gain insight into various issues.
Identify and browse journals that relate to your likes.
Lastly, you can look online for research topics that are ready and skim through them to gain new knowledge.

Once you pick a topic, don’t hesitate to contact our proficient research paper writers . Our experts are adept in many fields and can complete a research paper on any topic.

Social Work Research Topics List

Social work research topics cover various concepts and challenges related to caseworkers and their fields of practice. Below are comprehensive research topics in social work that are compelling to explore.

Parenting and how it is affected by drug abuse.
Hardship and benefits of teenage adoption.
Dealing with suicidal thoughts.
Societal view on mental sickness stigma.
Adverse impact of displacement on street kids.
Homelessness and associated psychological effects.
Managing PTSD among veterans.
Adolescents and associated clinical depression.
How group therapy helps to better the lives of foster residents.
Family role in reducing or increasing depression.
Effectiveness of anti-depressants.
Impact of death on wellbeing of a family.
Effects of divorce on lifestyle and health of children.
Ways to address military troops' suicidal tendencies.
Causes of suicidal thoughts in society.
Impact of disability on lives of parents.
Ways to address stigma associated with disability.
Children with autism are socially excluded.
Impacts of bullying on children’s wellbeing.
Complexities around child labor.
Debate for and against abortion.
Maltreatment of children in foster care.
Change in societal reaction to HIV/AIDS in the 1990s and now.
Rape and its psychological impact on the victim.
Ways to reduce human trafficking.

Unique Topics in Social Work

There are scholarly research topics in social work that draw extra attention from readers since they are unique in nature. Such topics often concentrate on issues neglected in society. Below are unique topics for social work research.

Is wellbeing therapy sustainable?
Teenage girls’ menstrual experiences in foster homes for the first time.
Poverty and how it impedes growth in the American Deep South.
Negative impact of conversion therapy on LGBTQ society.
Influence of inclusive healthcare system on ensuring good welfare lives of people.
Interracial marriages and their associated problems.
Effects of diversity on children with disabilities.
Effects of physical abuse on spousal intimacy.
Pornography as a primary contributor of incest in families.
Increase in violence against children and women.
Activism role based on culture in Native Americans ’ lives.
Sexual addiction of women to men.
Disparity in health services for immigrants.
Challenges experienced by people diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Living with a spouse with memory problem.
Power issue in divorce mediation.
Issues related to having many partners.
Reintegration of those who survive substance abuse into the society.
Employment initiatives for women.
Dynamic systems applied to nations in war situations.
Transracial adoption and identity issue.
The hidden trauma in young counselors.
Ensuring access to medical services in villages.
Lowering the gender pay gap.
Reducing racism and antisemitism.

Controversial Topics in Social Work

Presently, there are several controversial issues in social work that may give rise to social research topics. Listed below are some controversial social work research topics.

Societal reaction to euthanasia.
Myths on adolescents’ substance abuse.
Societal groups that are most vulnerable to substance abuse.
Ways to deal with drug abuse in orphanages.
Ethical issues associated with human trafficking.
Family support role in reducing recidivism.
How imprisonment affects mental health.
Gender difference when dealing with imprisoned individuals.
Juvenile delinquents and reeducation strategies.
Whose role is it to develop resilience in social work?
What are strategies to build resilience among welfare workers?
Benefits associated with social health education among incarcerated women.
How unreported cases of abuse propagate violence.
Does constructivist therapy offer anything new to social work?
Should caseworkers support hypnosis use?
Who is responsible for misdiagnosis?
How does misdiagnosis affect lives of mentally ill individuals?
Health benefits associated with hypnosis on an individual.
Should parents be involved in preventing dyslexia?
Ways to address panic for both adults and adolescents.
Challenges faced by the LGBTQ community.
Do traffickers suffer psychological consequences of human trafficking?
Welfare workers’ roles in civil wars.
Various strategies to help anti-social students.
Was confinement sanctioning by the court a good move?

Interesting Social Work Research Questions

Before you start your research, it is essential to develop a social work research question that guides the type of information you will gather. Some of the social work research questions examples that talk about various interesting social work topics are listed below.

How can the US solve the rise in obesity cases?
How does taking student loans impact them psychologically?
How can America curb increasing addiction cases?
How do we help adults with learning disabilities?
How can we improve lives of pregnant incarcerated mothers?
What is America’s racial disparity prevalence?
How can PTSD patients receive support?
Does poverty have psychological effects on children?
What are workplace violence indicators?
What are strategies to ensure work-family balance?
What does society believe about divorce and its impact on children?
Do you think substance abuse can be regulated?
What are consequences of living with HIV/AIDS?
Do you feel traumatized living with dyslexia?
What are causes of bipolar disorder?
How does society treat those with bipolar disorders?
Who is more vulnerable to divorce?
Does the US criminal justice system play its role in reducing juvenile delinquency?
What are problems minority kids face at their foster homes?
Does substance misuse lead to alcoholism?
Role of police brutality in increasing transformative change?
What is the appropriate strategy to help patients with bipolar?
How can we avoid re-incarceration?
What does religion say about LGBTQ community?
How does ADHD affect children in foster homes?

>> Read more: Criminal Justice Research Paper Topics

Hot Topics in Social Work

There are various topics in social work that a researcher can explore to address current hot issues such as COVID-19 pandemic. These topics are important since they help determine current and future solutions to an issue. Here are some social work issues topics that you can consider.

What are effects of Russian-Ukraine war on society?
Impact of COVID-19 on welfare workers’ psychological health.
Issues that arise in households with adopted children.
Social workers’ attitude towards older people.
Importance of religion in reducing stereotypes.
How building emotional intelligence helps caseworkers.
Demands that residents in a foster facility make.
Challenges single parents experience.
Support strategies for single parents.
Strategies to help sexually exploited children.
Factors leading to homelessness in the US.
Forms of abuse elders experience from young people.
Media role in shaping antisemitism stereotypes.
Approaches to working with elderly people who are cognitively impaired.
Parental role in shaping sexual orientation of their children.
When should a child be removed from a setting?
Child neglect and its effects on victim’s academic performance.
Psychological effects of children watching domestic violence.
Grief and its associated symptoms.
Methods for assisting kids who have seen domestic violence.
Ways to encourage domestic violence reporting.
Technology and addiction treatment.
Suicide prevention protocol in different localities.
Risk factors associated with secondary traumatic stress.
Ways to increase cancer screening rates.

Human Services Research Topics

Human services topics are important since they deal with human existence and ways to make it better. Human service topics focus on how social workers help to satisfy individuals’ and communities’ needs. Generally, social workers’ primary aim is to ensure people live in the most comfortable way possible. Some of the human service research topics are indicated below.

Adverse impact of unemployment.
Ways to deal with anxiety and depression among small children.
Reducing number of incarcerated individuals.
Impact of juvenile delinquency in the US.
Relevant ways to breed love in foster care.
Integration of dyslexic people into society.
Government intervention to enhance welfare conditions.
Importance of food banks for the US citizens.
High school bullying prevalence and impacts.
Factors leading to family violence.
Impact of homophobia on LGBTQ+ community.
Drawbacks of the US correctional system.
Effects of mental illness misdiagnosis.
The move to invalidate bullying in high schools.
Causes of panicking in kids.
Interventions to reduce unemployment rates in the US.
Strategies to show concern for individuals from communities with low income.
Challenges of homophobia in the UAE.
Social workers in reducing child abuse cases.
Strategies to enhance resilience among welfare workers.
The need for psychological therapy among welfare workers.
Important household policies that can reduce domestic violence.
Shortcomings of America’s carceral system.
Interventions for children raised in abusive homes.
Ways to improve learning experience for disabled children.

Best Social Work Research Topics Ideas

Social work plays a huge role in our daily lives. Therefore, exploring research topics ideas for social work will help us to understand welfare workers’ role in making our lives better. This section discusses various social work topics for research papers. It is categorized into subsections, starting with research paper topics, thesis topics, and dissertation topics. Here, you will also find social work capstone ideas, topics for discussion, essay, and presentation topics. Details for each subsection are provided below.

Social Work Research Paper Topics

As an individual in social work field, you will write several research papers and essays. Social work paper topics you can cover depend on your interests, trends, or any other factor. Some interesting topics related to social work you can consider include the following.

Social workers' perspectives on elderly.
Causes of people's unwillingness to take advantage of mental health care services.
Problems that foster children face that prevent them from completing their college degrees.
Welfare workers’ role in drug abuse prevention.
The significance of cultural awareness in casework.
Facilitation of prenatal and postpartum care for surrogate moms.
Assessing how PTSD affects psychological wellbeing.
Adoptive families face unique difficulties and concerns.
Benefits of play therapy interventions for school counseling.
Hemodialysis patients' mental health and the methods used to help them.
Importance of leisure pursuits for Alzheimer's patients.
Damages of psychological violence.
Trauma and adolescent transition among LGBTQ+ kids.
Understanding the neglect-syndrome of foster kids.
Understanding trauma for caseworkers.
Foster parenting's advantages.
Role of foster parents in violence prevention.
Domestic violence and its impacts.
Foster homes’ role in creating a safe space.
How diversity helps in social works sector.

Social Work Thesis Topics

There are several thesis topics in social work to research during your master’s program or PhD, which can vary depending on your interest or occupation. Below are some of the social work literature review topics that you can look into.

Effectiveness of group therapy for alcoholics.
Mental health services’ effectiveness for pedophilia survivors.
Inaccessibility of mental health care for members of underrepresented groups due to language barriers.
Prepartum depression and connection to expecting mothers.
Relationship between codependency and emotional unavailability.
Strategies to handle fatigue among welfare workers.
Burnout causes among social workers.
Challenges associated with child birth and labor.
Depression and the perception of welfare mothers.
Prevalence of mental health in the US.
The use of an integrated system in various foster homes within America.
Nurses’ commitment level and how it is associated with health outcomes.
Impact of legalizing abortion in some states.
Comparison between displacement in foster homes and war sites.
Analyzing displacement and associated challenges.
How immigrant families benefit from parenthood?
Issues that visually disabled students face at school.
Essence of welfare work sector diversity.
Learning about depression from the welfare mom's viewpoint.
Ways to improve healthcare system.

Social Work Dissertation Topics

Dissertation is a crucial part of your education life as a social worker. Therefore, dissertation topics in social work have to be properly framed and specific. Here are some of the dissertation topics for social work to consider.

Coping strategies of men during violence at home.
Rape and how it affects victim’s psychological development.
Acceptance rate of addiction by addicts within the US.
Vulnerable groups and government’s role in improving their lives.
Justification of gender pay gap in America.
Addiction to substance abuse and its role in the contemporary world.
Prevalence of homosexuality in the US.
Naturalizing human needs as a way to break down taboo and barriers.
The association between stigma and drug abuse persistence.
Drug abuse and how music increases its prevalence.
Rate at which American citizens care for their forefathers.
Technological role in shaping our sexual preferences.
Reasons why men and women commit suicide.
Existing protection policies for children in New York State.
Investigating US women who have experienced child sexual abuse.
Assessment of healing strategies for drug abuse survivors.
The role of parents in supporting their children’s ambitions.
Volunteering and its impact on self-satisfaction.
Therapies used to treat effective disorder in an American youth.
The need for sexual education among young girls with mental health issues.

Social Work Capstone Project Ideas

As a social worker, you should consider some social work project topics for your capstone project . Capstone project social work research topics are highlighted below.

Impact of domestic violence on marital satisfaction.
How does government support minority groups?
Media role in ensuring public safety.
Causes of child neglect.
How juvenile crime affects the US.
How government ensures food security.
Enhancing public safety in minority communities.
Problems associated with criminal justice system.
Social integration of individuals with Down Syndrome.
Role of school administration in reducing bullying.
Bullying and victims’ academic performance.
Trauma experienced by social workers.
Parenting and its role in children’s sexual orientation.
What causes panic in schools.
How child support is essential in divorced couples.
Child neglect and its causes.
Damages caused by psychological violence.
Trauma of adolescent transitioning in LGBTQ+ children.
Understanding foster kids’ neglect-syndrome.
Causes of increase in reincarceration among youths in America.

Social Work Topics for Discussion

Highlighted below are some social work discussion topics to consider.

Root causes of domectic violence.
Location-specific suicide prevention and crisis protocols.
How does drug dependence influence parenting?
Public policies for and against LGBT community.
Ways of providing support for bipolar patients.
Prenatal depression in expectant mothers.
How to cope with imprisonment stigma.
Ways to improve living standards in foster homes.
What are the best community service strategies for refugees?
How can backyard farming be used to empower women?
Utilizing gender sensitivity to help the LGBT community.
Cultural importance of generation gap.
Secondary traumatic stress: symptoms, risk factors & ways of managing.
How to motivate women to report family violence.
Various ways in which unemployment influences immigrants.
How peer service providers confront reproductive health issues.
The major problems faced by welfare workers.
Detrimental influence of alcohol and drug on adolescents.
Effectiveness of the prohibition of liquor.
Key reasons for heightened crime rates in modern society.

Social Work Essay Topics

Here are some of social work topics for essays that you should consider in your writing.

Global challenges faced by deported women.
Street hawking opportunities for teenagers.
Main factors that lead to incest.
Positive and negative effects of health care reforms.
How environmental welfare work is undertaken.
Care strategies for immigrants.
Impact of corporate social responsibility on community wellbeing.
Does welfare scheme affect worker’s performance?
The impact of sexual violence on adolescent girls.
How does diversity affect various communities?
Effect of play therapy interventions in school counseling.
Influence of poverty on children’s development and education.
How should welfare workers deal with pedophilia victims?
How should caseworkers prevent burnout?
How to establish a high school service-learning program.
Elder abuse: most prevalent forms.
The central issues associated with special education.
Personal perspective on the obstacles faced by vulnerable populations in search medical help.
What is the greatest risk of fetal alcohol exposure?
Ways to enhance caseworkers’ mental health.

Social Work Topics for Presentation

Presentation social work topics for research discuss different aspects of the field of social work. The research topics have to be practical for them to be presented well. Below are some good research topics for social work presentation.

Strategies to ensure equality during job recruitment.
Autism and its risk factors.
Causes of depression in kids.
What are risk factors of PTSD among victims?
Ways to reduce suicide cases in society.
Advantages and disadvantages of rehabilitation centers.
Community initiatives to cater for the elders.
Effects of misdiagnosis of mental illness.
Ethics of abortion.
Importance of early cancer screening.
Strategies to reduce unemployment rate among minority communities.
How foster parents can help in countering youth violence.
Euthanasia and how various religions view it.
Compare societal preparation to COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS.
Contemporary ways to substance abuse.
Eating disorder and its causes.

Research Topics for Social Work Students

College students also apply social work research topics in their study of related subject, which covers various aspects in the field of social work. Here are some of social work research topics for college students.

Resident’s experience in long-term care facilities.
Strategies to handle life when both parents suffer from Alzheimer’s.
Pregnancy experience among immigrants and how they approach it.
How does death affect the collective wellbeing of the family?
Enhancing digital literacy among immigrant students.
How socioeconomic disparity affects the old.
Social and mental effects of loans on students.
Social problems that autistic children face.
Conversion therapy’s negative effects on the LGBTQ+ community.
Impact of science on cancer treatment.

You will find a lot of topics in different fields on our platform. If you are looking for topics in laws or mental health research paper topics , just go to our library and find what you need.

Bottom Line on Social Work Research Topic Ideas

Feel free to choose a topic of your choice from the social work research topics examples recommended above. Apply appropriate topic categories during the process of choosing topics depending on your needs, knowledge in the field, and the type of paper you are writing. Practice using the provided examples will make you perfect.

In case you need a personalized research topic, or require a complete social work research paper, you can buy research paper online from StudyCrumb. Particularly, our writers will help you choose social work research paper topics, write papers for you, and proofread the work to ensure there are no grammatical errors.

Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

Social Work Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Theses/projects/dissertations from 2024 2024.

WHAT IS THE READINESS OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS TO WORK WITH AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS? , Ignacio Aguilar Pelaez

THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACTS OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT DIFFERENTIATE THE AMOUNT OF MENTAL HEALTH REFERRALS OF SCHOOL A COMPARED TO SCHOOL B , Jesus Barrientos

Caregivers of Dialysis Patients , Alyssa Bousquet and Amelia Murillo

BARRIERS TO AND FACILITATORS OF CARE: EXPLORING HOW LOW-INCOME WOMEN ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE IN A RURAL COMMUNITY , Sydney Taylor Casey

ACCESSIBILITY OF SERVICES FOR TRANSGENDER ADOLESCENTS FROM A CHILD WELFARE PERSPECTIVE , Eduardo Cedeno

WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS TO SEEKING PSYCHOTHERAPY SERVICES ACROSS DIFFERENT RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS? , Deysee Chavez and Elisa Rodarte

Homelessness In The Coachella Valley , Katrina Clarke

EXAMINING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW , Elizabeth Ashley Contreras

IS A SOCIAL SUPPORT BASED MODEL BETTER FOR TREATING ALCOHOLISM? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW , Jordan Anthony Contreras

SOCIAL WORKERS’ PREPAREDNESS FOR PRACTICE WITH PATIENTS EXPERIENCING PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS , Paula Crespin

INVESTIGATING THE LEVEL OF EVIDENCE OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND PARENTING PRACTICES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW , Eloisa Deshazer

Treatment not Punishment: Youth Experiences of Psychiatric Hospitalizations , Maira Ferrer-Cabrera

IMPLEMENTATION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND CURRICULUM FOR ELEMENTARY-AGED CHILDREN , Indra Flores Silva and Jason Kwan

STRESS AND HELP-SEEKING IN FARMWORKERS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY , Alexis Garcia and Daniela Mejia

THE EFFECTIVNESS OF FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM , Maria Delcarmen Garcia Arias and Ashley Hernandez

PARENT INVOLVEMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES AMONG LATINO FAMILIES , Diana Garcia and Gabriela Munoz

PROGRESSION OF BLACK WOMEN IN TENURE RANKED POSITIONS , Unique Givens

Child Maltreatment Primary Prevention Methods in the U.S.: A Systematic Review of Recent Studies , Maria Godoy-Murillo

Assessing and Meeting the Needs of Homeless Populations , Mitchell Greenwald

EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH THAT PARTICIPATED IN EXTENDED FOSTER CARE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW , Kassandra Mayorga and Roxana Sanchez

THE OBSTACLES FACING HOMELESS VETERANS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS WHEN OBTAINING HOUSING , Melissa Miro

HOW DID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IMPACT EXTENDED FOSTER CARE SOCIAL WORKERS WHILE PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES , Omar Ramirez and Victoria Lopez

MAJOR FACTORS OF SUSTAINING RECOVERY AFTER RELAPSE FROM A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER , Amanda Tei Sandhurst

UNDERSTANDING THE PERSPECTIVES AND ATTITUDES OF 12-STEP PARTICIPANTS TOWARDS MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT , Christopher Scott

THE UTILIZATION OF MUSIC AND AUTONOMOUS SENSORY MERIDIAN RESPONSE IN REDUCING STRESS , Robert Scott

Exploring the Experiences of Minority Former Foster Youths During and Post Care: A Qualitative Study , Caithlyn Snow

RESILIENCE IN FATHERHOOD: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF ABSENT FATHERS ON BLACK AMERICAN MEN'S PARENTING NARRATIVES AND PRACTICES , Ericah Thomas

FACTORS THAT IMPACT FOSTER YOUTHS’ HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION , Esther Thomas

JUSTICE-INVOLVED STUDENTS: EFFECTS OF USING SUPPORT SERVICES TO OVERCOME BARRIERS , Gabby Walker and Sofia Alvarenga

Theses/Projects/Dissertations from 2023 2023

PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO CONGREGATE CARE AND FOSTER YOUTH OUTCOMES , Tiffany Acklin

YOU CALL US TREATMENT RESISTANT: THE EFFECTS OF BIASES ON WOMEN WITH BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER , Cassidy Acosta

EXAMINING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH OF FORMERLY INCARCERATED CALIFORNIA STUDENTS WHO GRADUATED FROM PROJECT REBOUND , Ashley C. Adams

ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO POLICE INTERVENTIONS WHEN RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES INCIDENTS , Karen Rivera Apolinar

Understanding Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice , Arielle Arambula

IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSORIAL-STUDENT RACIAL MATCH AND ACADEMIC SATISFACTION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS , Ashlei Armstead

NON-SPANISH SPEAKING LATINOS' EXPERIENCES OF INTRAGROUP MARGINALIZATION AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR ETHNIC IDENTITY , Marissa Ayala

SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE MIXTEC COMMUNITY AND THE BARRIERS TO THOSE SERVICES , Currie Bailey Carmon

IMPACT OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ON THE SELF-ESTEEM, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND COMFORT LEVEL OF BLACK AND BROWN GIRLS , Nathan Benham

THE ROLE UNDOCUMENTED STUDENT RESOURCE CENTERS PLAY IN SUPPORTING UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION , Cynthia Boyzo

Program Evaluation of Teen Parent Support Group , Brianne Yvonne Irene Brophy

THE IMPACT THE JOB STRESS OF A CHILD WELFARE SOCIAL WORKER HAS ON THE QUALITY OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR INTIMATE PARTNER , Nadine Cazares

Adverse Effects for Siblings Who Witness Child Abuse , Leslie Chaires

ASIAN DISCRIMINATION: IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WORK , Sunghay Cho

PERCEIVED FINANCIAL STRAIN AND ITS EFFECTS ON COLLEGE STUDENTS’ WELFARE , Monica Contreras and Clarissa Adrianna Martinez

The Media and Eating Disorders , Diane Corey

INCREASING TEACHER AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN , Sarah Alexis Cortes

The Investigation of Knowledge and Practice of Child Welfare Workers Providing Case Management to Children with Disabilities , Giselle Cruz

Examining The Relationship Between Technological Skills and Success In Higher Education Among Formerly Incarcerated Individuals , Ebony Cubias

SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL WORKERS TREATING ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSERS , Monica DeLucia and Kethura Solano

MINORITIZED GROUPS AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION AND RECOVERY CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IN MUTUAL AID FELLOWSHIPS , Kaelyn Doyle and Benjamin Wahl

EXAMINING EDUCATORS’ PERCEPTIONS AND PREPAREDNESS ON THE NEEDS OF UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS , Imelda Duran Herrera

RESILENCY AND FATHERLESS HOUSEHOLDS , Joshua Ellis-Kennedy and Crystal Angelica Orellana

THE INCREASE OF SUICIDE RISKS AMONGST INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC , Joanna Flores

Staff Turnover in Child Welfare , Maleena Flores

SOCIAL WORK STUDENT'S PERCEPTION, KNOWLEDGE, AND PREPAREDNESS IN SERVING UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT CHILDREN , Miriam Flores Portillo and Estela Flores-Portillo

PERCEPTIONS OF THE IMPACT OF PARENTAL MENTAL HEALTH ON ADULT CHILDREN , Samantha Ann Gallo-Vargas and Queray McMihelk Jr.

HOW ARE MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS EQUIPPED WITH ADEQUATE TRAINING TO DETECT AND REPORT ELDER ABUSE IN HOSPICE , Crystal Garcia and Katherine Barba

How Stigma Impacts the Utilization of Mental Health Services Among Young Adults' Within Three Different Ethnic Minority Communities , Ivette Garcia and Melissa E. Gomez

THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATION OUTCOMES , Kelly Gasso

INTERVENTIONS AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH OPPOSITIONAL DIFIANT DISORDER: A SCOPING REVIEW , Megan George and Jacqueline Laitano

HOW DOES HAVING A PET DURING THE CORONAVIRUS-19 PANDEMIC AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AFFECT ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION , Sugey Gonzalez-Escobedo and Jessica Morales Sanchez

SCHOOL FACULTY’S KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS , Bianca Gonzalez Vargas and Cristal Cortes-Vazquez

HOW LATINO PARENTS COPED WITH FINANCIAL CHALLENGES DURING COVID-19 , Melissa Gradilla and Valerie Malagon

ASSESSING RURAL NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FOSTER PARENT RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES , Ava M. Hagwood

SOCIAL WORK’S ROLE IN ADDRESSING POLICE OPPRESSION: SOCIAL WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVES , Jess Husband

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE , Adelola Ige

EXAMINING THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE , Aida Justiz Skipper and Ericka Ross

PROMOTING RESILIENCE FOR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE , Brenda Lara

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS AND THE SEXUAL HEALTH OF LGBTQ+ PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE INLAND EMPIRE , Irad Leon

HOW HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IMPACTED CLIENTS OF THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT CENTER , Daniella Loera

FACTORS THAT INCREASE SOCIAL WORKER LONGEVITY IN CHILD WELFARE SERVICES , Heather Lovejoy

SAFETY ORGANIZED PRACTICE TRAINING AND IMPLEMENTATION IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA , Alison Lucado

Indigenous Women and Traditional Paths to Healing , Lisa Mariano-Grise

SERVICES FOR AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKA NATIVES FOSTER YOUTH VICTIMS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION: THE SOCIAL WORKER’S PERSPECTIVE , Maria Marquez

RESIDENTIAL CARE STAFF VIEWS ON THE TRAINING THAT THEY RECEIVE AND THEIR PERCEPTIONS ON PREPAREDNESS IN REGARD TO WORKING WITH RESIDENTS , Deziray Sorieya Marroquin

EFFECTS OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ON PARENTS , David Martinez and Linda Saleh Borghol

THE CHALLENGES HOMELESS MEN WITH HIV/AIDS FACE WHEN SEEKING HOUSING , Rosey Yvette Martinez

EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FAMILY COHESION AND THE RISK OF SUBSTANCE USE IN OFFSPRING , Angelica Mendoza

MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY AND ATTITUDES TOWARD MENTAL HEALTH HELP-SEEKING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS OF NON-MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONS , Hannah Metz

EFFECTIVE RESOURCES FOR ONLINE LEARNING A STUDY ON ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDREN , Marlene Mora-Lopez

FOSTER PARENT TRAINING, RETENTION, AND SATISFACTION: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY , Dennisse Moreno Romo and Dulcinea Catota

AGED OUT YOUTH'S PERCEPTION ON THE NEEDS OF EMANCIPATED FOSTER YOUTH , Linda Murillo

Attitudes of Social Work Students on the Use of Psychedelics as a Mental Health Treatment in Clinical Settings , Amanda Nickles

CHRONIC SORROW AND THE IMPACT ON PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES , Rhianna Mayra Nordlund

BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES THAT LGBTQ+ INDIVIDUALS FACE WHEN ACQUIRING MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES. , Stephanie Nunez-Rivera

Examining the Obstacles in Rehoming the Homeless with Substance Use Addiction , Denise Ortuno

Access to Gender-Affirming Care and Mental Health of Transgender Individuals , Paola Osuna Berumen

EXAMINING SUPPORT SEEKING BEHAVIORS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS , Ashley Padilla

THE BARRIERS DIRECT SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS FACE WHEN WORKING WITH INCARCERATED YOUTH , Elizabeth Padilla and Valerie Mercado

UNDERSTANDING VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING: IDENTIFYING MACRO AND MICRO-LEVEL MENTAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS , Abbigail Pereyra

COVID-INDUCED STRESS AND SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS , Quenea Popoca and Christina Ngo

STUDENTS' EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR HYBRID MSW PROGRAM , Carolina Profeta

Preserving Placement for Children with Behavioral Issues: A Qualitative Study of Child Welfare Social Workers in the United States , Jessica Katelyn Quin and Tara Belle Beam

Does the use of Social Media Have an Impact on Young Adults Body Identification? , Glycell Robledo Felix and Ashley Olmedo

ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND STRESS DURING COVID-19: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LATINO DREAMERS IN COLLEGE , Vanessa Robles and Janelly Molina

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL WORK INVOLVEMENT IN HOSPICE CARE TRANSITIONS FOR ILL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES , Natalie Rodas and Guillermina Morales

SOCIAL WORKERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITY IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM , Nelyda Rodriguez

EXAMINING HOMELESSNESS AND ITS EFFECTS ON FUNCTIONING AMONG FOSTER CARE ALUMNI , Silvia Romero

THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA USE ON SOCIAL ISOLATION AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG YOUNG ADULTS , MARIANA ROMO

Incarceration Effects on Children and Families , Sharon Rose

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233 Social Work Research Topics: Helpful List For Students

Social work research topics deal with many things. They look into some of the problem generating areas within the social works field and the use of research methodology to understand these problems. They also try to sort these problems out and address some of the challenges encountered both in the lives of social workers and their primary field of practice.

Like every other research writing, writing a social work research topic requires the carrying out of in-depth research finding on the subject which requires the application of theories, the use of concepts, understanding the basic and advanced principles of social works, observing the intricacies within the field of study, finding ways to address these social issues through the use of experimental, survey, analytic, cause and effect researching procedure.

To craft an intriguing and compelling essay topic on social works, all of the aforementioned will need to be present as they help you not just in the topic formulation process but also in the research writing. Every research writing follows a particular style and writing on social works partakes in this process. Here are some social work-related research topics to put into consideration.

Social Work Research Topics

Social work as a field of work and field of study deals primarily with practicality. Even though the understanding of some of its underlying principles requires first the use and application of theories, social workers deal with practical applications daily. Writing a research topic on this field, therefore, requires that each topic will have undertones of practicality woven within it.

This is necessary as the primary goal of both social work research writing and the field itself is in carrying out investigations and the understanding of various issues that impact the lives of individuals and how they could be addressed. Research social worker research topics on it can look like.

The importance of group therapy for children in foster homes
Impacts of clinical depression on teenage girls
Lack of child support and its impact on child care in America
A look into depression and the stigma associated with it.
ADHD within foster homes and its impacts on children
The impacts of constant mobility in the lives of orphaned toddlers
Addressing the inherent PTSD in the lives of medical veterans
The social relegation of Autism children
Addressing the stigma surrounding disability
Disability and how it affects the lives of middle-aged parents
The recurring case of displacement and its violent effects on street children
How homelessness impacts people psyche
Misdiagnosed mental illness and its negative impacts on people
Suicidal tendencies within military units and possible ways to address them.
The need for the social interrogation of mental illness stigma
Parents living with Bipolar and how it impacts their parenting and children’s lives
How early childhood displacement amounts to antisocial lifestyle in foster children
Adoption of teenagers: the struggles and joys associated within
A look into the undisclosed cases of rape violence amongst women in the military and how it impacts their lives and service
Substance abuse and how it affects parenting
Understanding the trauma associated with child-parent separation
How divorce positively impacts the health and lifestyle of children
A close analysis of the myths associated with Welfare mothers
Addressing the issue of substance abuse amongst teenagers
Death and how it impacts the collective well-being of the family
A study into family support as a viable way for alcohol recovery
Alcoholism and its impacts on a person’s psyche
How sponsors positively impact the lives of recovering addicts
A clinical study of anti-depressants and their current effectiveness
The breeding of social exclusion of children with Down syndrome
Why social and academic integration is important for children with Down syndrome
Depression and how family exacerbates it
Alcoholism: it impacts on social, family, and personal lifestyle
An analysis of the difference and similarities between Dyslexia and ADHD
Creating awareness for Dyslexic patients

Social Work Research Questions

Social works as a field of study fall within the social sciences, as a result of this the field of study deals with the use of questioning as an approach to arrive at a conclusive and reflective answer (empirical evidence). This is why research in this field deals with data collection, data analysis, experimentations, investigation, etc. The research questions asked when researching within social works are important as it’s through it that informative research is carried out and meanings derived through it. Here are some social work research questions.

How does trauma inform the education of children in foster homes?
The protest of police brutality, does it have the potential of promoting transformative change?
Why does society insist that divorce impacts the psyche of all children negatively
Is informed trauma in foster homes the primary cause of children disappearing from foster homes?
Does the implementation of learning curriculums that positively impacts Dyslexic students improve their academics?
Is trauma-informed learning reflective of parenting?
Do house and food insecurity impact the lives of foster children for life?
How does community violence have effects on the lives LGBT+ community?
What are the ways the criminal justice system is failing America’s social lifestyle?
What are the signs of identifying workplace trauma
Workplace violence: how can it be addressed?
How do poverty and scarcity affect the psychology of young children?
What are the ways through which the American healthcare system is failing minority groups
What are the ways the misuse of substances breeds addictive behaviors?
How to point out the early signs of depression in teenagers?
Who is at greater risk of child-parent separation?
What are the consequences of living with Dyslexia?
Why is depression diagnosed as a mental disorder?
What are the defining differences between Bipolar I and Bipolar II?
How can bipolar patients receive support?
What percentage of incarcerated adults is from minority groups?
What are the results of racial disparity in America?
How does America’s racial disparity manifest in the healthcare system?
What are the challenges experienced by minority kids in foster homes?
How can the American government support welfare parents more?
How can addiction be controlled?
How does alcohol abuse affect college students’ academic performance?
What are the ways community reentry proves challenging for formerly incarcerated people?
What are the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of pregnant incarcerated mothers?
How can cases within addiction be curbed in America?
What are the ways to approach America’s carceral system?
What are the ways nursing homes can be better equipped for old folks?
What are the social and psychological impacts of student loans?
How can assistance be extended to adults with learning disabilities?
How can America’s rise in obesity be addressed?

Human Services Research Paper Topics

Human services research papers also fall within the social work research topics ideas to look into. This area of social works essay topics deal with issues which are primarily related to human service, how it’s being impacted, and ways to understand and address some of its challenges. Human services research paper topics that fall within it include.

How America’s carceral system affects low-income and minority homes majorly.
Social integration of Down syndrome and Dyslexic people
How the government can improve welfare conditions
The negative psychological impacts of food banks
How food banks benefit the lives of many Americans.
How home violence affects children
Understanding the effects of high school bullying
Welfare workers and why they need therapy and support groups
How to build love in foster care
The practice of resilience amongst social workers
The effects of juvenile delinquency in America
Understanding America’s carceral shortcomings
Minority groups at the expense of America’s carceral system
Addressing the issue of homophobia in America
Homophobia and how it impacts LGBTQ+ adults
Factors contributing to family violence
Spousal violence and how to address it
Family cruelty and how it impacts lives
Undiagnosed cases of Bipolar and its effects
Misdiagnosed mental illness and its effects
Improving support systems for LGBTQ+ kids
Home insecurity and how it impacts the homeless
Bridging the disparity of formerly incarcerated people
Understanding gender inequality when dealing with incarcerated people
The failure of America’s correctional system
Incarceration: Reformed or abolished?
Police system: Reformed, defunded, or abolished?
Factors contributing to increase in youth depression
Unemployment and its effects on people
Similarities between juvenile delinquency and adult incarceration
Psychological impacts of child trafficking
Human trafficking and its psychological effects on victims
Addressing depression, anxiety, and panic in little children

Interesting Social Work Topics

Within the field of social works, there are some topics and issues that draw extra attention due to their uniqueness. These topics often make for interesting research topics as they often draw on several relevant but often neglected issues or topics that are not paid due attention to. There are so many interesting social work topics that talk within this category and some of them include.

Understanding the experiences of women living within shelter homes
The racial disparity prevalent in America’s food bank system
A study and understanding of the stigma and social relegations welfare mothers are subjected to.
The challenges of living with both parents suffering from Alzheimer’s
A sociological and environmental outlook into the academic transition from high school to college and how it manifests in the lives of students.
An analysis of the client-therapist relationship of psychiatric therapists
An evaluation of the sociological impact of including sex education in the high school curriculum
An in-depth analysis of the emotional and psychological effects of induced child labor
Psychological, emotional, and physical effects of abusive parenting
Verbal and physical abuse in families and how it manifests in the lives of children
How emotional and psychological abuse encourages low self-esteem
A study of children raised in abusive homes
How physical abuse affects spousal intimacy
A critical study of the learning challenges of disabled children
How inclusivity in the social system will impact disabled children
Why there’s the need to encourage more flexible social structures for disabled people
A case study of the inherent challenges of interracial marriages
A case of study of how a functional and inclusive healthcare system improve social growth
How conversion therapy negatively impacts the LGBTQ+ community
How religion impacts social workers interaction with social issues
A study of the prevalence of poverty in the American Deep South and the ways it impedes growth
Sustainability of wellness therapy
An in-depth analysis of how first-time menstrual experiences impacts teenage girls in foster homes
The relationship between teenagers, school, and the general society
The negative impacts of birth control laws
How abortion bans are leading to more psychological issues
How the increases in the cost of housing in America is affecting young millennials
How low paid labor propagates workplace abuse
The impacts of gender roles and cultural beliefs in marriages
Why America needs more rehabilitation centers than carceral systems
The relationship between welfare systems and low-income neighborhoods
How teenage pregnancy impacts teenage mothers
The growing effect and pressure of social media in the lives of teenage children

Controversial Topics in Social Work

Social worker’s research topics also look into areas within the field of study that are often regarded as controversial. These topics are referred to as so due to their nature of occurrence which usually has provoked significant public interest. When writing on controversial topics in social work in this field, here are some of the topics that fall well within this category.

Rising cases of drug abuse in low-income neighborhoods
How incarceration negatively impacts the psychological well-being of incarcerated people
The dangers of confinement and why it should be looked into
Drug vulnerability and how to help addicts
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and how it enables social workers to relate more to their environment and situations
Hypnosis and its health benefits on an individual
Therapy for the less represented groups and why it’s important
A clear distinction between clinical depression and undiagnosed depression
Misdiagnosis: how it’s affecting the lives of mentally challenged people
Understanding ADHD and the stigmas associated with it
An investigative study into the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy to improve the livelihood of incarcerated people
Understanding adolescents development about kids in foster cares
The social effects of living within an immigrant home in America
Social workers remuneration and how it impacts their dedication and diligence to their work
The negative impact of child-parent legally signed separation and ways through which it can be contained
A qualitative study of dealing with Dyslexia as an adolescent
Catering safe spaces for minority groups and the impacts of community on their mental health.
Child poverty, food insecurity, house insecurity: how they impact the academic abilities of children
Examining the use of empathy to facilitate the improvement of the social work sector
Why there needs to be more qualitative examining of foster homes for child safety and peace
The positive impacts within the foster home system and why it should be championed
Understanding sexual health education for incarcerated women
Addressing violence as a social problem within the correctional system
Court sanctioned confinement, how it promotes mental illness rather than facilitate correction
The hidden and unnoticed trauma prevalent in counselors and therapists
The continuous cycle of therapy: why therapists need therapy
The need to facilitate awareness on the stigma associated with AIDS
The social and health implication of abortion ban on women in low-income neighborhoods
The psychological, health, and social implications of abortion ban on rape survivors
The unreported cases of abuse in homes and how it propagates violence
Trafficking: the impacts of it on the social well-being of a society
Exploring the challenges of the hurricanes in low-income neighborhoods
The hidden trauma of hurricane and flood survivors

Social Work Thesis Topics

As a field of study on its own, social work will require you to write series of papers, research assignments and essays on a select topic of your choice. This is also compulsory if you are doing your master’s program or your Ph.D. You’ll be required to carry out evaluative or qualitative research on your area of interest. Some interesting social work essay topics to consider include the following ones.

The psychological impacts of adult children of emotionally immature parents
The treatment plan for diagnosed drug addiction
Navigating the challenges of visually impaired learners in the academia
Evaluating child abuse in foster care
The emotional effect of transitioning into nursing homes
A study of parenthood in immigrant families
The psychological weight of child abuse
Understanding child labor and its intricacies
Encouraging cognitive-behavioral therapy for foster parents
Trauma: Understanding the challenges of the foster kid
Abortion illegality as the increasing cause of teenage pregnancy
Understanding displacement and its nuances
The distinction between the displacement of children in war areas and children in foster homes
The psychological impacts of growing within a war zone
The barrier to working faced by formerly incarcerated people
Juvenile delinquency: how it harms rather than benefits children
Examining the American rehabilitation system
Examining the gender disparity in correctional facilities
The use of empathy: social workers in the discharge of duty
How to address compassion fatigue amongst counselors and social workers
The effects of structural racism on the welfare systems
Understanding depression from the welfare mom’s perspective
Myths associated with ADHD
Integrating compassion in social works
Building an inclusive system for foster kids
The disability challenges in the healthcare system
Disability disparity in the social works department
Future attachment styles in foster kids
Codependency: a feature of displacement
Home emotional unavailability as the rising cause for codependency
Understanding interdependency for the codependent
Distinctions between codependency and interdependency in youth adults
Prepatrum depression in expecting mothers

Social Work Topics for Presentation

One of the social work project ideas to look into while writing your paper is the possibility of including a presentation. As a practical field, social works research requires some level of presentation included. Here are some social work topics for presentation.

The historical development of social works
Importance of social works in school
Importance of therapy for teenagers
An exploration of challenges faced in forensic social works
Understanding the struggles of minority groups
A study of abuse in middle-class homes
Importance of finance in sustaining social works
The overall effect of compassion fatigue
Challenges of modern-day social works
Psychological impacts of child drug abuse
Importance of inclusivity in social works
Understanding same-sex relationships for the social worker
Importance of drug sensitization in high school
The abuse of drugs in low-income neighborhoods as an economic factor
Depression stereotypes
Effects and impacts of spirituality as a social works technique
Damages of psychological violence
Domestic violence and its impacts
Role of social workers in the prevention of drug abuse
Role or foster parents in the prevention of violence
Role of foster homes in creating a safe space
Positive impacts of foster parenting
Understanding trauma for the social worker
Importance of diversity in the social works sector
Understanding the neglect-syndrome of foster kids
Adolescent transitioning and trauma of LGBTQ+ children
Trauma and juvenile delinquency
Juvenile delinquency and adult incarceration
Importance of free healthcare for foster children and children in low-income neighborhoods
A study of sexually violated children
Understanding the impacts of incest in homes
The victim syndrome and how to better understand it
Understanding Stockholm syndrome

We have provided above a list of interesting social work topics that social science students, whether they are college students or master’s students, can choose from. But if you are hoping to meet up with your college or university essay deadlines, there are professional ENL US writers, including some of the best professors for hire online. They can assist you with fast and top-notch essays that will get you high grades all at a cheap rate. You will be provided with custom, amazing assignments that will attain you high grades.

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Social Work Research Topics List

June 16, 2023

Looking for inspiration for your social work research paper? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of social work research topic ideas to help you find your perfect research topic and start your paper . From exploring social justice and inequality issues to assessing the impact of social media on mental health, these topics are bound to spark new ideas and get your creative juices flowing. So, whether you’re interested in clinical social work or community practice, read on for inspiration and begin your research journey today!

Social Work Research: What It Deals With

Social work research is connected with collecting information and data on social issues. This process aims to identify the causes and solutions to difficulties that affect individuals, families, and communities. Social workers use the data collected from their research to make their clients’ lives better.

There are many different types of this type of research, including:

Qualitative analysis, examining behavior patterns in a group or individual through interviews or observations. The information gathered during these interviews and observations can be used to determine how people react to certain situations, such as poverty, abuse, or neglect.
Quantitative analysis gathers numerical data about a group or individual through surveys or questionnaires. The information gathered from these surveys can be used to determine how many people have certain behaviors or characteristics like drug addiction, alcohol abuse, or depression.
Professionals may also use other types of techniques such as ethnographic studies (observing behavior in its natural setting), secondary data analysis (analyzing existing data sets), meta-analysis (comparing results across studies) and experimental designs (testing one variable at a time).

How to Choose a Topic for Your Research?

Choosing a topic is one of the most challenging tasks for students. These topics can be chosen from various fields, such as human behavior, mental health, and social norms.

When choosing a research topic, you need to take into account the following:

What is your field of study?
What do you want to achieve by doing this research?
Are you looking for a career in research, or do you want to use this as part of your course requirement?

To make this process easier and help you choose wisely, use the best AI tool for academic writing . It uses current trends and how they relate to your field. It would make your college and research work more focused and efficient.

Social Work Research Topics for College Students

The impact of childhood trauma on mental health outcomes in adulthood
Examining the effectiveness of community-based interventions for reducing domestic violence
The intersection of race and poverty in accessing mental health services
The role of social support in promoting positive outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders
Understanding the experiences of foster care youth transitioning to adulthood
The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for reducing anxiety and depression
Examining the impact of social media on adolescent mental health
Addressing health disparities in marginalized communities through social work interventions
The role of social work in addressing homelessness and housing insecurity
Microaggressions` influence on mental health outcomes for people of color
Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care
The effectiveness of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for survivors of sexual assault
Examining the impact of adverse childhood experiences on parenting behaviors
Addressing the mental health needs of refugees and immigrants in the United States
The role of social work in promoting justice and anti-racism in healthcare
The experiences of older adults in long-term care facilities
Examining the effectiveness of restorative justice practices in reducing recidivism rates
The mental health needs of individuals with disabilities
The impact of poverty on child development and academic outcomes
Understanding the experiences of individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system

Social Work Topics for Presentation

How do social workers deal with homelessness and housing insecurity?
The impact of social media on well-being
Self-care importance for social workers
The mental health needs of LGBTQ+ youth in schools
Social work interventions for supporting individuals with substance use disorders
Understanding the impact of adverse childhood experiences on mental health outcomes in adulthood
Cultural competence in social work
The role of social workers in promoting justice and equity in healthcare
Trauma-informed care in social work practice
The experiences of children in foster care and how social workers can support their well-being
Supporting people with disabilities in accessing services
Mental health interventions for refugees and immigrants
Addressing the unique mental health needs of military veterans
The influence of racism and discrimination on mental health outcomes for people of color
Social work interventions for addressing domestic violence
Supporting caregivers of individuals with chronic illnesses
Social work interventions for addressing bullying in schools
The role of social workers in promoting restorative justice practices

Social Work Research Interesting Topics

The impact of COVID-19 on mental health and social work practice
Mindfulness-based interventions in reducing stress and anxiety among social workers
The role of social workers in addressing racial disparities in healthcare
Trauma-informed care in promoting recovery among survivors of abuse
Social media and youth mental health and wellbeing
The role of social workers in promoting access to affordable housing
Peer support programs for promoting recovery among individuals with substance use disorders
The influence of poverty on child development
The application of restorative justice practices in reducing recidivism rates among juvenile offenders
The role of social workers in promoting access to healthcare for undocumented immigrants
The application of cognitive-behavioral therapy for reducing symptoms of depression among individuals with chronic illnesses
The impact of domestic violence on mental health and the role of social workers in addressing this issue
The effectiveness of school-based social work interventions in promoting academic and social success among at-risk youth
The role of social workers in promoting access to care for rural communities
The impact of parental incarceration on child development and the role of social workers in providing support to affected families
Group therapy for promoting recovery among individuals with eating disorders
The influence of homelessness on mental health and the role of social workers in addressing this issue
Animal-assisted therapy for promoting emotional wellbeing among individuals with disabilities
The role of social workers in promoting access to education for children in foster care
The impact of social isolation on mental health and the role of social workers in addressing this issue

Controversial Topics for Social Work Research

The effectiveness of faith-based social work interventions
The impact of mandatory reporting laws on the relationship between social workers and clients
The ethical implications of social workers engaging in political activism
The use of medication-assisted treatment for people with opioid use disorders
The role of social workers in the criminal justice system, including working with incarcerated individuals and advocating for prison reform
The use of seclusion and restraint in mental health facilities and its potential impact on clients’ mental health
The ethics of using deception in social work research
The potential bias in child welfare decision-making processes
The use of teletherapy in social work practice and its effectiveness compared to traditional in-person therapy
The influence of mandatory minimum sentences on humans with substance use disorders
The ethics of social workers’ involvement in end-of-life decision-making processes
The application of cognitive enhancers in social work practice, such as with individuals with ADHD
The potential for bias in social work assessments and diagnoses, particularly with regards to race and culture
The ethics of social workers engaging in conversion therapy practices
The impact of welfare policies on marginalized communities, particularly with regards to poverty and homelessness
The ethics of social workers’ involvement in immigration enforcement and detention
The potential for conflict of interest in social workers’ involvement in child custody and adoption cases
The connection between social work interventions and the family dynamics of persons with mental illness
The potential for bias in social workers’ involvement in the special education system
The ethics of social workers engaging in dual relationships with clients, such as with friends or family members

Social Work Research Topics in Human Services

The impact of human service interventions on the well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness
The effectiveness of social work interventions in addressing food insecurity in low-income communities
Understanding the barriers to accessing mental health services for individuals with disabilities and the role of human services in addressing these barriers
The influence of trauma on the mental health of refugees and immigrants, and the role of human services in providing trauma-informed care
The effectiveness of human service interventions in addressing the opioid epidemic
The connection between human services and improving educational outcomes for at-risk youth
Addressing the mental health needs of individuals experiencing domestic violence through human services interventions
The role of human services in supporting individuals with chronic illnesses and their families
The experiences of older adults in human service settings and the role of human services in promoting their well-being
The impact of human services on the social and emotional development of children in foster care
Addressing the unique mental health needs of LGBTQ+ individuals through human services interventions
The role of human services in promoting restorative justice practices in the criminal justice system
The effectiveness of human service interventions in addressing substance use disorders in marginalized communities
The impact of human services on reducing poverty and income inequality
The experiences of individuals with mental illness in human service settings and the role of human services in promoting their recovery
The effectiveness of human services interventions in addressing child abuse and neglect
Addressing the mental health needs of military veterans through human services
The influence of human services on promoting social justice and equity in healthcare
Understanding the experiences of individuals with developmental disabilities in human service settings and the role of human services in promoting their independence
The influence of social determinants of health on mental health outcomes through human services interventions

What Difficulties You Can Face Conducting Your Research

Social work research is a particular field involving a lot of hard work and dedication. It is not something that just anyone can accomplish, but only by those who have the required skills and expertise. However, even with all of these skills and expertise, there are still some things that you cannot do on your own. This is where we come in! Our custom writing service is here to assist you with your project.

Writers in Custom Writing are well-versed in this type of research, which means they can provide you with high-quality content that will satisfy all of your requirements. All our writers have been carefully selected based on their qualifications and experience; they know exactly what they are doing and how they need to do it. They also have an extensive knowledge base in this field, allowing them to produce quality work in no time. If you want to get the best results possible, you should contact us immediately!

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The link between social work research and practice

When thinking about social work, some may consider the field to solely focus on clinical interventions with individuals or groups.

There may be a mistaken impression that research is not a part of the social work profession. This is completely false. Rather, the two have been and will continue to need to be intertwined.

This guide covers why social workers should care about research, how both social work practice and social work research influence and guide each other, how to build research skills both as a student and as a professional working in the field, and the benefits of being a social worker with strong research skills.

A selection of social work research jobs are also discussed.

Social workers and research
Evidence-based practice
Practice and research
Research and practice
Build research skills
Social worker as researcher
Benefits of research skills
Research jobs

Why should social workers care about research?

Sometimes it may seem as though social work practice and social work research are two separate tracks running parallel to each other – they both seek to improve the lives of clients, families and communities, but they don’t interact. This is not the way it is supposed to work.

Research and practice should be intertwined, with each affecting the other and improving processes on both ends, so that it leads to better outcomes for the population we’re serving.

Section 5 of the NASW Social Work Code of Ethics is focused on social workers’ ethical responsibilities to the social work profession. There are two areas in which research is mentioned in upholding our ethical obligations: for the integrity of the profession (section 5.01) and for evaluation and research (section 5.02).

Some of the specific guidance provided around research and social work include:

5.01(b): …Social workers should protect, enhance, and improve the integrity of the profession through appropriate study and research, active discussion, and responsible criticism of the profession.
5.01(d): Social workers should contribute to the knowledge base of social work and share with colleagues their knowledge related to practice, research, and ethics…
5.02(a) Social workers should monitor and evaluate policies, the implementation of programs, and practice interventions.
5.02(b) Social workers should promote and facilitate evaluation and research to contribute to the development of knowledge.
5.02(c) Social workers should critically examine and keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to social work and fully use evaluation and research evidence in their professional practice.
5.02(q) Social workers should educate themselves, their students, and their colleagues about responsible research practices.

Evidence-based practice and evidence-based treatment

In order to strengthen the profession and determine that the interventions we are providing are, in fact, effective, we must conduct research. When research and practice are intertwined, this leads practitioners to develop evidence-based practice (EBP) and evidence-based treatment (EBT).

Evidence-based practice is, according to The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) , a process involving creating an answerable question based on a client or organizational need, locating the best available evidence to answer the question, evaluating the quality of the evidence as well as its applicability, applying the evidence, and evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the solution.

Evidence-based treatment is any practice that has been established as effective through scientific research according to a set of explicit criteria (Drake et al., 2001). These are interventions that, when applied consistently, routinely produce improved client outcomes.

For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was one of a variety of interventions for those with anxiety disorders. Researchers wondered if CBT was better than other intervention options in producing positive, consistent results for clients.

So research was conducted comparing multiple types of interventions, and the evidence (research results) demonstrated that CBT was the best intervention.

The anecdotal evidence from practice combined with research evidence determined that CBT should become the standard treatment for those diagnosed with anxiety. Now more social workers are getting trained in CBT methods in order to offer this as a treatment option to their clients.

How does social work practice affect research?

Social work practice provides the context and content for research. For example, agency staff was concerned about the lack of nutritional food in their service area, and heard from clients that it was too hard to get to a grocery store with a variety of foods, because they didn’t have transportation, or public transit took too long.

So the agency applied for and received a grant to start a farmer’s market in their community, an urban area that was considered a food desert. This program accepted their state’s version of food stamps as a payment option for the items sold at the farmer’s market.

The agency used their passenger van to provide free transportation to and from the farmer’s market for those living more than four blocks from the market location.

The local university also had a booth each week at the market with nursing and medical students checking blood pressure and providing referrals to community agencies that could assist with medical needs. The agency was excited to improve the health of its clients by offering this program.

But how does the granting foundation know if this was a good use of their money? This is where research and evaluation comes in. Research could gather data to answer a number of questions. Here is but a small sample:

How many community members visited each week and purchased fruits and vegetables?
How many took advantage of the transportation provided, and how many walked to the market?
How many took advantage of the blood pressure checks? Were improvements seen in those numbers for those having repeat blood pressure readings throughout the market season?
How much did the self-reported fruit and vegetable intake increase for customers?
What barriers did community members report in visiting and buying food from the market (prices too high? Inconvenient hours?)
Do community members want the program to continue next year?
Was the program cost-effective, or did it waste money by paying for a driver and for gasoline to offer free transportation that wasn’t utilized? What are areas where money could be saved without compromising the quality of the program?
What else needs to be included in this program to help improve the health of community members?

How does research affect social work practice?

Research can guide practice to implement proven strategies. It can also ask the ‘what if’ or ‘how about’ questions that can open doors for new, innovative interventions to be developed (and then research the effectiveness of those interventions).

Engel and Schutt (2017) describe four categories of research used in social work:

Descriptive research is research in which social phenomena are defined and described. A descriptive research question would be ‘How many homeless women with substance use disorder live in the metro area?’
Exploratory research seeks to find out how people get along in the setting under question, what meanings they give to their actions, and what issues concern them. An example research question would be ‘What are the barriers to homeless women with substance use disorder receiving treatment services?’
Explanatory research seeks to identify causes and effects of social phenomena. It can be used to rule out other explanations for findings and show how two events are related to each other. An explanatory research question would be ‘Why do women with substance use disorder become homeless?’
Evaluation research describes or identifies the impact of social programs and policies. This type of research question could be ‘How effective was XYZ treatment-first program that combined housing and required drug/alcohol abstinence in keeping women with substance use disorder in stable housing 2 years after the program ended?’

Each of the above types of research can answer important questions about the population, setting or intervention being provided. This can help practitioners determine which option is most effective or cost-efficient or that clients are most likely to adhere to. In turn, this data allows social workers to make informed choices on what to keep in their practice, and what needs changing.

How to build research skills while in school

There are a number of ways to build research skills while a student. BSW and MSW programs require a research course, but there are other ways to develop these skills beyond a single class:

Volunteer to help a professor working in an area of interest. Professors are often excited to share their knowledge and receive extra assistance from students with similar interests.
Participate in student research projects where you’re the subject. These are most often found in psychology departments. You can learn a lot about the informed consent process and how data is collected by volunteering as a research participant. Many of these studies also pay a small amount, so it’s an easy way to earn a bit of extra money while you’re on campus.
Create an independent study research project as an elective and work with a professor who is an expert in an area you’re interested in. You’d design a research study, collect the data, analyze it, and write a report or possibly even an article you can submit to an academic journal.
Some practicum programs will have you complete a small evaluation project or assist with a larger research project as part of your field education hours.
In MSW programs, some professors hire students to conduct interviews or enter data on their funded research projects. This could be a good part time job while in school.
Research assistant positions are more common in MSW programs, and these pay for some or all your tuition in exchange for working a set number of hours per week on a funded research project.

How to build research skills while working as a social worker

Social service agencies are often understaffed, with more projects to complete than there are people to complete them.

Taking the initiative to volunteer to survey clients about what they want and need, conduct an evaluation on a program, or seeing if there is data that has been previously collected but not analyzed and review that data and write up a report can help you stand out from your peers, be appreciated by management and other staff, and may even lead to a raise, a promotion, or even new job opportunities because of the skills you’ve developed.

Benefits of being a social worker with strong research skills

Social workers with strong research skills can have the opportunity to work on various projects, and at higher levels of responsibility.

Many can be promoted into administration level positions after demonstrating they understand how to conduct, interpret and report research findings and apply those findings to improving the agency and their programs.

There’s also a level of confidence knowing you’re implementing proven strategies with your clients.

Social work research jobs

There are a number of ways in which you can blend interests in social work and research. A quick search on Glassdoor.com and Indeed.com retrieved the following positions related to social work research:

Research Coordinator on a clinical trial offering psychosocial supportive interventions and non-addictive pain treatments to minimize opioid use for pain.
Senior Research Associate leading and overseeing research on a suite of projects offered in housing, mental health and corrections.
Research Fellow in a school of social work
Project Policy Analyst for large health organization
Health Educator/Research Specialist to implement and evaluate cancer prevention and screening programs for a health department
Research Interventionist providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia patients participating in a clinical trial
Research Associate for Child Care and Early Education
Social Services Data Researcher for an organization serving adults with disabilities.
Director of Community Health Equity Research Programs evaluating health disparities.

No matter your population or area of interest, you’d likely be able to find a position that integrated research and social work.

Social work practice and research are and should remain intertwined. This is the only way we can know what questions to ask about the programs and services we are providing, and ensure our interventions are effective.

There are many opportunities to develop research skills while in school and while working in the field, and these skills can lead to some interesting positions that can make a real difference to clients, families and communities.

Drake, R. E., Goldman, H., Leff, H. S., Lehman, A. F., Dixon, L., Mueser, K. T., et al. (2001). Implementing evidence-based practices in routine mental health service settings. Psychiatric Services, 52(2), 179-182.

Engel, R.J., & Schutt, R.K. (2017). The Practice of Research in Social Work. Sage.

National Association of Social Workers. (n.d). Evidence Based Practice. Retrieved from: https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Research-Data/Social-Work-Policy-Research/Evidence-Based-Practice

Foundations of Social Work Research

(4 reviews)

Rebecca L. Mauldin

ISBN 13: 9781648169915

Publisher: Mavs Open Press

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by LaToya Smith-Jones, Adjunct Professor, University of Texas at Arlington on 3/26/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The textbook covers various topics that are familiar to the Social Work profession. There are relatable examples given within the book, which allow Social Work students to understand discussions through the lens of an actual practitioner. Each section provides an area where research vocabulary is listed and reviewed, as well as examples to deepen the understanding of the vocabulary used.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The information presented in the textbook is presented with accuracy. Bias was not noticed within the text.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The information presented within the textbook was up-to-date. Classical studies were also included in the textbook. The classical studies allow the students to understand the historical influence regarding the research process.

Clarity rating: 5

The textbook provides examples and a separate vocabulary section in order to understand the jargon and technical terminology. individuals who do not have a research background will be able to comprehend the information written.

Consistency rating: 5

The textbook is consistent regarding terminology and framework. Each section builds upon the previous section.

Modularity rating: 5

Each section is broken up according to the topic of the chapter. Each chapter is broken up in sections, which allows for an easier read.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The chapters are presented in a logical and clear fashion. The information presented within the textbook builds upon itself. Students are first introduced to background information regarding the topic and then they are given information regarding the application of the information shared.

Interface rating: 5

There were not any interface issues.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

There were not any grammatical errors noted.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Information within the text was inclusive and included examples of various ethnicities and backgrounds.

The textbook is excellent to use for students who do not have a research background. The manner in which the information is presented and laid out assists with aiding students' understanding.

Reviewed by Quentin Maynard, Assistant Professor, University of Southern Indiana on 11/30/22

This text covers topics that social work students need to understand to be consumers of research. The author and contributors include current real work examples to help emphasize the different topics. Integrating the chapter on Real World Research throughout the text might help emphasize to students that engaging in research is necessary to our profession, even as practitioners.

The content was accurate and error-free.

The content of the text was up-to-date and included information relevant to social work research. Since the main author solicited contributions from colleagues at their institution, updates and changes would likely be relatively straightforward.

The book seemed accessible for individuals with limited research experience. Key words were defined in the text and included in a glossary at the end of each section and the text.

The text was consistent in style and organization. Chapter subsections have specific learning objectives allowing students to know what will be covered in each chapter. Doing this reduces bloat and increases clarity for readers.

The text did not appear to be structured in a way that was overwhelming or difficult to follow.

The structure of the book was logical.

The digital pdf and the online versions of the text were intuitive and easy to navigate. I did not notice any issues with the interface in either format.

No writing or grammar errors noted.

The text is culturally sensitive. It includes a content advisory at the beginning of each chapter which allows students to be aware of specific topics (e.g., racism, sexism, and poverty) discussed or mentioned in the chapter. While this text was adapted for students at a specific university, the authors include topics that reach much farther than that audience. The examples included cover a diverse set of people and situations.

This is a comprehensive text that allows students the opportunity to learn how to be consumers of social work research. While practice evaluation might not be the scope of this text, other than the chapter on Real World Research, including discussions about how students might apply the concepts of each chapter in social work practice. The structure of the book allows students to see the research that their professors are engaging in and might make research more accessible to social work students and practitioners

Reviewed by Matt Walsh, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Marian University on 12/30/21

This textbook covers all the aspects of research you would expect for an introduction to social work research. It uses classic examples of past research to highlight the importance of ethics in research. It also does a good job of discussing both quantitative and qualitative research as well as single system designs and program evaluation. My one critique as someone who does qualitative research is that it mentions the importance of trustworthiness and rigor in qualitative research but does not mention how a research can achieve this. However, it does go into other elements like coding and it would not be hard to provide student with supplemental materials about memoing or peer debriefing as examples and to be fair, it is hard to put everything in just one chapter.

All components are accurately described and well-written. The glossary at the end of each section is helpful for key words. The text appears to be error-free and unbiased.

There are links to recent examples which highlights the real world aspect of research.

This text is clear in its description of research and its major components. Certain aspects like causality get a little advanced for a introduction to research book but there are good visual to aid in students' understanding of some of the more complicated concepts. (Please note that I am reviewing this with BSW students in mind, MSW students may not find some of these sections as overwhelming as I suspect my students might).

The book is very well structured and consistent throughout.

The text is well structured and organized as a whole and in terms of each chapter and each section with the chapters.

The topics follow the order of most other foundational research books I have seen and have a logical flow to them.

I did not find any interface issues.

I could not see any grammatical errors.

There are good examples throughout that display an effort to have inclusivity, diversity, and equity in this text.

I feel like this book would provide students with a good understanding about research and could be used interchangeably with other foundational/introduction books on the market, especially if the professor is familiar with teaching research and has already established a good foundation (quizzes, lecture slides, assignments, activities, etc.).

Reviewed by Vivian Miller, Assistant Professor in Social Work, Bowling Green State University on 1/5/21

The text Foundations of Social Work Research covers social work research comprehensively and appropriately. Across twelve chapters, the author begins by introducing research, the science behind research and how this translates to the profession of social work, and the importance of understanding research as it applies to social work practice across all system levels. In addition to comprehensive chapters, the text contains a glossary, practice behavior indices, bibliography, derivative notes, and links by each chapter.

This text is an accurate text that is error free. This text is extremely well-written and includes real-life examples, drawing on written contributions from social work faculty across practice settings and populations, as well as students at the masters and doctoral levels.

Much of research methods and the process is overall static, however the author does an incredible job to provide timely, relevant, and applicable examples throughout the text to ensure that this version will not be obsolete within a short period of time.

This text is clearly written and is easy to move through. This text contains chapters and sub-chapters. I’d recommend this book for a higher-level undergraduate program or graduate program (e.g., MSW), as there is technical terminology used. Additionally, the author provides a glossary at the back of the text, hyperlinked to each chapter on the web-version. Moreover, there are definitions highlighted at center page throughout the text.

This text is very consistent. Chapters build on one another and are written in clear order.

The use of subheadings throughout allows this text to be separated into smaller reading sections. For instance, if an instructor wanted to assign reading for “Probability sampling,” this topic can be readily extracted from the full text. A student can understand this topic area despite being separated from the text as context is provided to the reader in each sub-chapter. The use of bolded words, images, examples, and hyperlinks throughout make the text easy to separate and digest.

This text is very well-organized and moves through each section in a step-wise process building on each previous content area.

There are no interface issues in the text. Images display well, as well as key takeaway and glossary charts throughout each chapter.

The text contains no grammatical errors.

This text is culturally sensitive. Examples across all system levels (e.g., micro, messo, and macro) are inclusive of a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

Highly recommend this text for a Social Work research course.

Chapter One: Introduction to research
Chapter Two: Linking methods with theory
Chapter Three: Ethics in social work research
Chapter Four: Design and causality
Chapter Five: Defining and measuring concepts
Chapter Six: Sampling
Chapter Seven: Survey research
Chapter Eight: Experimental design
Chapter Nine: Unique features of qualitative research
Chapter Ten: Unobtrusive research
Chapter Eleven: Real-world research
Chapter Twelve: Reporting research

Ancillary Material

About the book.

This textbook was created to provide an introduction to research methods for BSW and MSW students, with particular emphasis on research and practice relevant to students at the University of Texas at Arlington. It provides an introduction to social work students to help evaluate research for evidence-based practice and design social work research projects. It can be used with its companion, A Guidebook for Social Work Literature Reviews and Research Questions by Rebecca L. Mauldin and Matthew DeCarlo, or as a stand-alone textbook.

About the Contributors

Rebecca L. Mauldin , Ph.D

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Voices from the Frontlines: Social Workers Confront the COVID-19 Pandemic Laura S. Abrams, PhD, Alan J. Dettlaff, PhD Translating Trauma-Informed Principles into Social Work Practice Jill Levenson, PhD, LCSW The Perils of Privatization: Bringing the Business Model into Human Services Jennifer R. Zelnick, MSW, ScD, Mimi Abramovitz, DSW Sharing Psychotherapy Notes with Patients: Therapists’ Attitudes and Experiences Hannah Chimowitz, Stephen O’Neill, Suzanne Leveille, Katrina Welch, Jan Walker Methods to Decrease Disparities in Age of Autism Diagnosis and Treatment Access among Latinx Children Kristina Lopez, Jessica M Marroquin, Courtney Gutierrez

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2021 Journal Impact Factor™: 1.844

Social Work in the Age of a Global Pandemic Charlotte Lyn Bright Exposure to Community-Based Violence on Social Media among Black Male Emerging Adults Involved with the Criminal Justice System Robert O. Motley, Jr., Yu-Chih Chen, Carnayla Johnson, Sean Joe Using a Trauma-Informed, Socially Just Research Framework with Marginalized Populations: Practices and Barriers to Implementation Laura A. Voith, Tyrone Hamler, Meredith W. Francis, Hyunjune Lee, Amy Korsch-Williams State-Level Immigration Policy Context and Health: How Are Latinx Immigrant Parents Faring? Cecilia Ayón The Association of Acculturation with Overt and Covert Perceived Discrimination for Older Asian Americans Keith Chan

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What Have Hospital Social Workers Been Prepared for COVID-19 from SARS, MERS, and H1N1? Johnson Chun-Sing Cheung Secondary Traumatic Stress and Related Factors in Australian Social Workers and Psychologists Samantha Rayner, Cindy Davis, Matthew Moore, Tamara Cadet Body Appreciation and Health Care Avoidance: A Brief Report Mackenzie Cook, Virginia Ramseyer Winter, Elizabeth A. O’Neill Veteran Suicide Risk Factors: A National Sample of Nonveteran and Veteran Men Who Died by Suicide David S. Wood, Bethany M. Wood, Aislinn Watson, Devan Sheffield, Helena Hauter Trans Men’s Access to Knowledgeable Providers and Their Experiences in Health Care Settings: Differences by Demographics, Mental Health, and Degree of Being “Out” to Providers Kristie L. Seelman, Shanna K Kattari, Penny Harvey, Matthew Bakko

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Evidence-Based Assessment Tools for Common Mental Health Problems: A Practical Guide for School Settings Jack H. Andrews, Evelyn Cho, Siena K. Tugendrajch, Brigid R. Marriott, Kristin M. Hawley Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline: A Trauma-Informed, Critical Race Perspective on School Discipline Stacey Dutil Structural Racism in Schools: A View through the Lens of the National School Social Work Practice Model Jandel Crutchfield, Kate L. Phillippo, Andy Frey School Social Worker Voice during COVID-19 School Disruptions: A National Qualitative Analysis Gordon Capp, Kate Watson, Ron A Astor, Michael S Kelly, Rami Benbenishty Should Esports Be a Co-Curricular Activity in School? Hok-Lai Shum, Chin-Hei Lee, Johnson Chun-Sing Cheung

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Grand Challenges for Social Work: Research, Practice, and Education

After four years of soliciting and refining big ideas, it’s finally official. Social work has set a 10-year course to make a significant impact on the pressing current social issues. The Grand Challenges of Social Work is a large-scale initiative to bring a focus and synergy between social work research, practice, and education to bear on a range of universal social, economic, political, environmental, and psychological problems. After fine-tuning and incorporating additional feedback from the preliminary rollout at the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 2015 Conference, the American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare (AASWSW) officially announced the 12 Grand Challenges for Social Work (GCSW) at the SSWR 2016 20th Anniversary Annual Conference in Washington, DC. I discussed the GCSW in an earlier editorial on the unification and defining of the profession ( Williams, 2015 ). I have decided to devote another editorial to GCSW, because their introduction truly has the potential to be a defining moment in the history of our profession.

Social workers are committed to advancing a strong scientific base for our profession that would provide solutions for positive transformation to several areas of need that social workers tackle daily ( AASWSW, 2015 ). GCSW focus on innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based programs that address social issues in a meaningful manner and can develop measurable progress for solving some of our most urgent social problems within a decade. As an honor society of distinguished scholars, practitioners, and leaders of the profession, AASWSW provided the perfect venue to coalesce a group of scholars, practitioners, and leaders to set a course to advance social work and social welfare ( AASWSW, 2015 ). GCSW are big, important, and compelling with some scientific evidence that supports the possibility that these challenges can be largely addressed in a meaningful and measurable way in a decade ( AASWSW, 2015 ).

At the 2016 SSWR conference in Washington, DC, the Executive Committee announced the first 12 preliminary GCSW for the coming decade. These Grand Challenges are a call to action and will serve as a focal point for social work and related disciplines to address several of the challenges affecting our quality of life. The following are the underlying problems, strategies, and goals of each of the 12 GCSW.

(1) Ensure healthy development for all youths. Millions of young people are currently treated for severe mental, emotional, or behavioral problems. A large body of literature shows us how to prevent many behavioral health problems before they emerge ( AASWSW, 2016g ; DeVylder, 2015 ; Hawkins et al., 2015 ; National Academy of Medicine, 2016 ). (2) Close the health gap. A significant proportion of Americans have inadequate access to basic health care. This population endures the lasting effects of discrimination, poverty, and adverse environments that increase rates of illness ( AASWSW, 2016d ; Begun, Clapp, & The Alcohol Misuse Grand Challenge Collective, 2015 ; Walters et al., 2016 ).

(3) Stop family violence. The rates of violence perpetrated in families, among intimate partners, and on children is a significant problem in our country. Proven interventions are available to prevent and break the cycle of violence ( AASWSW, 2016l ; Barth, Putnam-Hornstein, Shaw, & Dickinson, 2015 ; Edleson, Lindhorst, & Kanuha, 2015 ). (4) Advance long and productive lives . Provide fuller engagement in education and productive activities throughout the lifespan to support better health and well-being and greater security ( AASWSW, 2016b ; Morrow-Howell, Gonzales, Matz-Costa, & Greenfield, 2015 ).

(5) Eradicate social isolation. This challenge is to educate the public on the health and well-being hazards of social isolation and to promote effective interventions for social workers to address social isolation for people of all ages ( AASWSW, 2016h ; Lubben, Gironda, Sabbath, Kong, & Johnson, 2015 ). (6) End homelessness. The rates of homelessness among families and individuals continue to increase. Over the course of a year, it is estimated that more than 1 million Americans will experience homelessness for at least one night. The challenge is to identify and expand proven interventions to implement in communities and to adopt meaningful policies that promote affordable housing and basic income security ( AASWSW, 2016f ; Henwood et al., 2015 ).

(7) Create social responses to a changing environment. Environmental changes negatively affect health, and the changing global environment requires social and policy responses, innovative partnerships, community engagement, and human security interventions to strengthen individuals and communities ( AASWSW, 2016e ; Kemp et al., 2015 ). (8) Harness technology for social good. New technologies present opportunities for social and human services to reach more people and make better decisions. Harnessing technology will allow for more effective service development, planning, and delivery ( ASWSW, 2016i ; Berzin, Singer, & Chan, 2015 ; Coulton, Goerge, Putnam-Hornstein, & de Haan, 2015 ).

(9) Promote smart decarceration. The United States incarcerates more individuals than any other country ( Cherlin, 2010 ; Schmitt, Warner, & Gupta, 2010 ). There are high levels of inequities and disparities nested within these high rates of incarceration. The challenge of our profession is to develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce the number of people who are imprisoned and embrace a more effective approach to public safety ( AASWSW, 2016j ; Pettus-Davis & Epperson, 2015 ). (10) Reduce extreme economic inequality. The extreme disparities in wealth in the United States affect the social, emotional, and economic well-being of both children and families. Reducing economic inequalities will require innovative strategies and policies ( AASWSW, 2016k ; Lein, Romich, & Sherraden, 2015 ).

(11) Build financial capability for all. A significant percentage of U.S. households are without adequate savings to meet basic living expenses for three months. Economic hardship can be reduced by implementing social policies that support income generation and providing financial literacy and access to quality affordable financial services ( AASWSW, 2016c ; Sherraden et al., 2015 ). (12) Achieve equal opportunity and justice. The history of injustices in this country affects education and employment; addressing racial and social injustices and dismantling inequalities will advance human well-being ( AASWSW, 2016a ; Calvo et al., 2015 ; Goldbach, Amaro, Vega, & Walter, 2015 ).

These challenges are large in scope and invite scholars, researchers, practitioners, and educators to embrace and promote them. The success of GCSW is very much dependent on all members of our profession incorporating these challenges into their work (that is, research, practice, and education). There are multiple ways that the profession can move forward with GCSW. Schools of social work can develop GCSW modules in MSW, BSW, and PhD curricula, lecture series at schools on the GCSW, national and regional conference themes supporting GCSW, national research consortia with specific foci on GCSW, and policy initiatives and advocacy on the various challenges. These are just a few examples.

The GCSW initiative is a vibrant social agenda to change the social fabric for a more just society. The tag line for GCSW is “Social Progress Powered by Science.” There is a strong emphasis on continuing to conduct high-quality research that brings effective change and that we use evidence in practice ( Anastas, 2013 ; Brekke, 2012 ; Shaw, 2014 ). It would be very safe to conclude that as the profession monitors the overall impact of GCSW, successful outcomes of this initiative will depend on the growth and quality of our scholarship, our ability to collaborate with allied disciplines, and the ability for translation and implementation of research to practice and education.

In guiding the process, AASWSW has created a national forum and opportunities for social work researchers and practitioners to collaborate within our discipline and across other disciplines (for example, health care, criminal justice, education, legal studies, technology, and environmental science). Each of the 12 Grand Challenges are large in scope, important for the social fabric of the country, compelling, and we have scientific evidence and measurable progress indicating that these challenges could be solved. GCSW allow us to build bridges within and beyond social work.

American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. (2015). “Grand Challenges for Social Work” identify 12 top social problems facing America . Retrieved from http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/grand-challenges-for-social-work-identify-12-top-social-problems-facing-america-2088068.htm
American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. (2016a). Achieve equal opportunity and justice . Retrieved from http://aaswsw.org/grand-challenges-initiative/12-challenges/achieve-equal-opportunity-and-justice
American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. (2016b). Advance long and productive lives . Retrieved from http://aaswsw.org/grand-challenges-initiative/12-challenges/advance-long-and-productive-lives
American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. (2016c). Build financial capability for all . Retrieved from http://aaswsw.org/grand-challenges-initiative/12-challenges/build-financial-capability-for-all
American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. (2016d). Close the health gap . Retrieved from http://aaswsw.org/grand-challenges-initiative/12-challenges/close-the-health-gap
American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. (2016e). Create social responses to a changing environment . Retrieved from http://aaswsw.org/grand-challenges-initiative/12-challenges/create-social-responses-to-a-changing-environment
American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. (2016f). End homelessness . Retrieved from http://aaswsw.org/grand-challenges-initiative/12-challenges/end-homelessness
American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. (2016g). Ensure healthy development for all youth . Retrieved from http://aaswsw.org/grand-challenges-initiative/12-challenges/ensure-healthy-development-for-all-youth
American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare. (2016h). Eradicate social isolation . Retrieved from http://aaswsw.org/grand-challenges-initiative/12-challenges/eradicate-social-isolation
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DeVylder J. E. (2015). Prevention of schizophrenia and severe mental illness (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 6) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
Edleson J. L., Lindhorst T., Kanuha V. K. (2015). Ending gender-based violence: A grand challenge for social work (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 15) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
Goldbach J. T., Amaro H., Vega W., Walter M. D. (2015). The grand challenge of promoting equality by addressing social stigma (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 18) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
Hawkins J. D., Jenson J. M., Catalano R. F., Fraser M. W., Botvin G. J., Shapiro V. et al. (2015). Unleashing the power of prevention (Grand Challenge for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 10) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
Henwood B. F., Wenzel S., Mangano P. F., Hombs M., Padgett D., Byrne T. et al. (2015). The grand challenge of ending homelessness (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 9) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
Kemp S. P., Palinkas L. A., Wong M., Wagner K., Reyes Mason L., Chi I. et al. (2015). Strengthening the social response to the human impacts of environmental change (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 5) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
Lein L., Romich J. L., Sherraden M. (2015). Reversing extreme inequality (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 16) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
Lubben J., Gironda M., Sabbath E., Kong J., Johnson C. (2015). Social isolation presents a grand challenge for social work (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 7) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
Morrow-Howell N., Gonzales E., Matz-Costa C., Greenfield E. A. (2015). Increasing productive engagement in later life (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 8) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
National Academy of Medicine. (2016). Unleashing the power of prevention . Retrieved from http://nam.edu/perspectives-2015-unleashing-the-power-of-prevention
Pettus-Davis C., Epperson M. W. (2015). From mass incarceration to smart decarceration (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 4) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare [ Google Scholar ]
Schmitt J., Warner K., Gupta S. (2010, June). The high budgetary cost of incarceration . Washington, DC: Center for Economic and Policy Research; Retrieved from http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/incarceration-2010-06.pdf [ Google Scholar ]
Shaw I. (2014). A science of social work? Response to John Brekke . Research on Social Work Practice , 24 , 524–526. [ Google Scholar ]
Sherraden M. S., Huang J., Frey J. J., Birkenmaier J., Callahan C., Clancy M. M., Sherraden M. (2015). Financial capability and asset building for all (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 13) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
Walters K. L., Spencer M. S., Smukler M., Allen H. L., Andrews C., Browne T. et al. (2016). Health equity: Eradicating health inequalities for future generations (Grand Challenges for Social Work Initiative Working Paper No. 19) Cleveland: American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. [ Google Scholar ]
Williams J. H. (2015). Unification, crafting imperatives, and defining a profession [Editorial] . Social Work Research , 39 , 67–69. [ Google Scholar ]

Social Work Research Methods That Drive the Practice

A social worker surveys a community member.

Social workers advocate for the well-being of individuals, families and communities. But how do social workers know what interventions are needed to help an individual? How do they assess whether a treatment plan is working? What do social workers use to write evidence-based policy?

Social work involves research-informed practice and practice-informed research. At every level, social workers need to know objective facts about the populations they serve, the efficacy of their interventions and the likelihood that their policies will improve lives. A variety of social work research methods make that possible.

Data-Driven Work

Data is a collection of facts used for reference and analysis. In a field as broad as social work, data comes in many forms.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

As with any research, social work research involves both quantitative and qualitative studies.

Quantitative Research

Answers to questions like these can help social workers know about the populations they serve — or hope to serve in the future.

How many students currently receive reduced-price school lunches in the local school district?
How many hours per week does a specific individual consume digital media?
How frequently did community members access a specific medical service last year?

Quantitative data — facts that can be measured and expressed numerically — are crucial for social work.

Quantitative research has advantages for social scientists. Such research can be more generalizable to large populations, as it uses specific sampling methods and lends itself to large datasets. It can provide important descriptive statistics about a specific population. Furthermore, by operationalizing variables, it can help social workers easily compare similar datasets with one another.

Qualitative Research

Qualitative data — facts that cannot be measured or expressed in terms of mere numbers or counts — offer rich insights into individuals, groups and societies. It can be collected via interviews and observations.

What attitudes do students have toward the reduced-price school lunch program?
What strategies do individuals use to moderate their weekly digital media consumption?
What factors made community members more or less likely to access a specific medical service last year?

Qualitative research can thereby provide a textured view of social contexts and systems that may not have been possible with quantitative methods. Plus, it may even suggest new lines of inquiry for social work research.

Mixed Methods Research

Combining quantitative and qualitative methods into a single study is known as mixed methods research. This form of research has gained popularity in the study of social sciences, according to a 2019 report in the academic journal Theory and Society. Since quantitative and qualitative methods answer different questions, merging them into a single study can balance the limitations of each and potentially produce more in-depth findings.

However, mixed methods research is not without its drawbacks. Combining research methods increases the complexity of a study and generally requires a higher level of expertise to collect, analyze and interpret the data. It also requires a greater level of effort, time and often money.

The Importance of Research Design

Data-driven practice plays an essential role in social work. Unlike philanthropists and altruistic volunteers, social workers are obligated to operate from a scientific knowledge base.

To know whether their programs are effective, social workers must conduct research to determine results, aggregate those results into comprehensible data, analyze and interpret their findings, and use evidence to justify next steps.

Employing the proper design ensures that any evidence obtained during research enables social workers to reliably answer their research questions.

Research Methods in Social Work

The various social work research methods have specific benefits and limitations determined by context. Common research methods include surveys, program evaluations, needs assessments, randomized controlled trials, descriptive studies and single-system designs.

Surveys involve a hypothesis and a series of questions in order to test that hypothesis. Social work researchers will send out a survey, receive responses, aggregate the results, analyze the data, and form conclusions based on trends.

Surveys are one of the most common research methods social workers use — and for good reason. They tend to be relatively simple and are usually affordable. However, surveys generally require large participant groups, and self-reports from survey respondents are not always reliable.

Program Evaluations

Social workers ally with all sorts of programs: after-school programs, government initiatives, nonprofit projects and private programs, for example.

Crucially, social workers must evaluate a program’s effectiveness in order to determine whether the program is meeting its goals and what improvements can be made to better serve the program’s target population.

Evidence-based programming helps everyone save money and time, and comparing programs with one another can help social workers make decisions about how to structure new initiatives. Evaluating programs becomes complicated, however, when programs have multiple goal metrics, some of which may be vague or difficult to assess (e.g., “we aim to promote the well-being of our community”).

Needs Assessments

Social workers use needs assessments to identify services and necessities that a population lacks access to.

Common social work populations that researchers may perform needs assessments on include:

People in a specific income group
Everyone in a specific geographic region
A specific ethnic group
People in a specific age group

In the field, a social worker may use a combination of methods (e.g., surveys and descriptive studies) to learn more about a specific population or program. Social workers look for gaps between the actual context and a population’s or individual’s “wants” or desires.

For example, a social worker could conduct a needs assessment with an individual with cancer trying to navigate the complex medical-industrial system. The social worker may ask the client questions about the number of hours they spend scheduling doctor’s appointments, commuting and managing their many medications. After learning more about the specific client needs, the social worker can identify opportunities for improvements in an updated care plan.

In policy and program development, social workers conduct needs assessments to determine where and how to effect change on a much larger scale. Integral to social work at all levels, needs assessments reveal crucial information about a population’s needs to researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders. Needs assessments may fall short, however, in revealing the root causes of those needs (e.g., structural racism).

Randomized Controlled Trials

Randomized controlled trials are studies in which a randomly selected group is subjected to a variable (e.g., a specific stimulus or treatment) and a control group is not. Social workers then measure and compare the results of the randomized group with the control group in order to glean insights about the effectiveness of a particular intervention or treatment.

Randomized controlled trials are easily reproducible and highly measurable. They’re useful when results are easily quantifiable. However, this method is less helpful when results are not easily quantifiable (i.e., when rich data such as narratives and on-the-ground observations are needed).

Descriptive Studies

Descriptive studies immerse the researcher in another context or culture to study specific participant practices or ways of living. Descriptive studies, including descriptive ethnographic studies, may overlap with and include other research methods:

Informant interviews
Census data
Observation

By using descriptive studies, researchers may glean a richer, deeper understanding of a nuanced culture or group on-site. The main limitations of this research method are that it tends to be time-consuming and expensive.

Single-System Designs

Unlike most medical studies, which involve testing a drug or treatment on two groups — an experimental group that receives the drug/treatment and a control group that does not — single-system designs allow researchers to study just one group (e.g., an individual or family).

Single-system designs typically entail studying a single group over a long period of time and may involve assessing the group’s response to multiple variables.

For example, consider a study on how media consumption affects a person’s mood. One way to test a hypothesis that consuming media correlates with low mood would be to observe two groups: a control group (no media) and an experimental group (two hours of media per day). When employing a single-system design, however, researchers would observe a single participant as they watch two hours of media per day for one week and then four hours per day of media the next week.

These designs allow researchers to test multiple variables over a longer period of time. However, similar to descriptive studies, single-system designs can be fairly time-consuming and costly.

Learn More About Social Work Research Methods

Social workers have the opportunity to improve the social environment by advocating for the vulnerable — including children, older adults and people with disabilities — and facilitating and developing resources and programs.

Learn more about how you can earn your Master of Social Work online at Virginia Commonwealth University . The highest-ranking school of social work in Virginia, VCU has a wide range of courses online. That means students can earn their degrees with the flexibility of learning at home. Learn more about how you can take your career in social work further with VCU.

From M.S.W. to LCSW: Understanding Your Career Path as a Social Worker

How Palliative Care Social Workers Support Patients With Terminal Illnesses

How to Become a Social Worker in Health Care

Gov.uk, Mixed Methods Study

MVS Open Press, Foundations of Social Work Research

Open Social Work Education, Scientific Inquiry in Social Work

Open Social Work, Graduate Research Methods in Social Work: A Project-Based Approach

Routledge, Research for Social Workers: An Introduction to Methods

SAGE Publications, Research Methods for Social Work: A Problem-Based Approach

Theory and Society, Mixed Methods Research: What It Is and What It Could Be

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Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Clinical research papers from 2019 2019.

Acculturation and Depression among Older U.S. Immigrants: A Systematic Review , Sunghwan Cho

Relationship as an Energetic Exchange: A Key Theory for the Nurtured Heart Approach , Inga Eanes

Birth and Pregnancy Termination Rates in The United States Since Perinatal Hospice Law Establishment , Chelsea Janey

Why Do Some Single Mothers Struggle More Than Others? , Tania Rhiger

The Bond We Share: Sibling Relationships Within Severe Mental Illness Through the Lens of Autoethnographic Research , Laura Rydberg

Clinical Research Papers from 2018 2018

Healing the Mind and Body: Practitioner Perspectives on Integrating Cognitive and Somatic Approaches in Psychotherapy with Refugees, Asylees, and Asylum Seekers , Amanda Ament-Lemke

Professional Perceptions of Youth Homelessness and Strengths Developed , Joelle Bellows

Sleep Deprivation and the Health of Firefighters , Bridget Bender

Effective Social Work Practice with Military, Veterans, and their Families , Katherine Boyer

Promoting Resilience and Preventing Sexual Offenses in Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Systematic Review , Cassie DeGraw

Therapist, Know Thyself: Self-Reflective Practice through Autoethnography , Nikki DiVirgilio

Foster Care and Education: Exploring the Success of Interventions Aimed to Improve Academic Achievement of Foster Children , Olivia Erickson

Early Interventions: Preventing at-risk youth from the path of Sexual Exploitation: A Systematic Review , Rahma Farah

Treatment Barriers in Mental Health: Perspectives of Using Mobile Technology , Ryan Goman

“Make ’em Laugh” The Interaction of Humor in the Therapeutic Treatment of Trauma: A Narrative Review , Katherine Goodman

The Role of Somatic Psychotherapy in Treating First Responders: Providers’ Perspectives , Maggie Graham

Utilization of Social Media in Strengthening Communication in Long Distance Relationships , Lexie Gutzmann

Medical Social Workers’ Best Practices in Supporting Autonomy at End of Life , Morgan Hanley

Women’s Prisons and Substance Abuse Treatment: A Systematic Review of Shame Interventions , Jamie Herman

Trauma-Informed Care For Youth In Foster Care , Jordyn Hubin

Integrating Trauma Informed Care into the Treatment of Adult Male Sex Offenders: A Systematic Review , Erica Janssen

Challenges and Opportunities in Accessing Geriatric Mental Health Services in Rural Minnesota , Kassara Kneeland

Professional Opinions of Effective Interventions for Adults with Psychotic Disorders Who Experienced Childhood Trauma , Jennifer Metzger

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Co-housing Options for Older Adults to Age in Place , Kasey Meyer

Using an Integrative Psychotherapeutic Approach to Help Adults Cope with Chronic Pain , Bethany Miletich

Examining Services Effective at Preventing Domestic Homicide: Interviewing Relevant Stakeholders about Their Perceptions Regarding Their Role in Reducing the Recurrence of Domestic Violence , Katlin Morse

Secure Attachment Without Bars: Alternatives to Incarceration and Clinical Interventions to Treat the Mother-Infant Relationship , Krista Murphy

Trauma-Informed Care: Training and Implementation in the Foster Care System , Danielle Norgren

The Impacts of Supervision on Social Workers Who Experience Client Suicidal Behavior , Chelse Paulzine

The Impact of Minnesota Warriors Hockey on Post-Military Service Reintegration: A Pilot Study , Andrew Qualy

Non-pharmacological Interventions in Residents with Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia , Kelli Ray

Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples: A Treatment for Depression and Anxiety , Courtney Reinitz

Chemical Dependence Harm Reduction: A Needed Application for Social Workers , Josie C. Schmitz

Exploring Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia: A Social Work Perspective , Ashley Schoonover

Is Marketing Messing with Your Clients’ Heads? Brands, Identity, and Clinical Practice , Paul Schuster

A Systematic Review: Examination of Yoga-Based Interventions to Determine their Benefits and Effectiveness in Treating PTSD in Women , Jessica Skaare

Rural Service Providers’ Perceptions of Cultural Responsiveness to LGBT Older Adults , Lisa Twomey

Understanding the practitioner’s role in the therapeutic setting: working with youth that identify as Black or African American and LGBT , Katie L. Ubl

The Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Older Adults with Dementia , Alison Waid Higgins

Impacts of and Alternatives to Solitary Confinement in Adult Correctional Facilities , Sarah Zyvoloski

Clinical Research Papers from 2017 2017

Mapping Social Justice: A Case Study of a School of Social Work Student-Led Social Justice Initiative , Lauren Abdill

Evaluating Child Maltreatment Prevention Programs & Services: A Qualitative Study , Laura Abrass

“I’m Tough, It’s Fine”: Prohibiting Restrictive Procedures and Seclusion in Educational Settings , Kaitlin Adams

Developmental Impact of Inclusion Classrooms on Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review , Emily E. Aller

Involuntary Civil Commitment and Sobriety , Ana Anderson

A Case Study of Veteran Identity as a Female , Kimberly Anderson

Racial Differences in Veteran Service Connection Disability , Jonathan Arnold

A Qualitative Investigation of Parental Experiences with Play Therapy , Kaitlin Bach

Cognitive Behavior Therapy with Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review , Crystal Barrera

Systematic Review of High School Dropout Prevention Programs , Dayne Bartlett

Identity and Belonging: Documentation Status and Mexican-origin children: A Systematic Review , Alicia Bauers

Removing Stigma and Reducing Anxiety: Social Work Professionals Integrating Essential Oils in Mental Healthcare Services with African American and Native American Clients , Kamara Bauman

What Can We Learn from Death and Dying? One Man’s Experience , Brooke K. Benson

Trauma in schools: Identifying and working with students who have experienced trauma , Amanda E. Berg

Unintended Rehabilitation: A Comparative Analysis of Prison Animal Programs , Mielissa Beseres

Understanding the Mental Health Impacts of Non-Kinship vs. Kinship Placements , Lena Bessas

Social Worker Perceptions on Education for Generalist and Specialist Roles , Jamie Blackledge

Strategies and Outcomes in Working with Adolescents Diagnosed with Conduct Disorder , Elisabeth A. Boegeman

Domestic Violence: How to Treat the Unseen Victims , Sarah Callahan

Birth Parents: Blogging The Emotional Journey Through Adoption , Kayla L. Christensen

Factors that Increase Successful Parenting Skills in Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma, Neglect, and Abuse: A Systematic Review , Victoria A. Christian

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Veterans Experiencing Insomnia: A Systematic Review , Dustin Cobb

Posttraumatic Growth in United States Military Veterans , Angela Cox

Examining Post-Adoption Services: What Adoptive Families Need for Beneficial Outcomes , Lindsey Crawford

Addressing Needs Among Students Affected by Domestic Violence: Social Workers’ Perspectives , Kiah Dahlquist

Making & Sustaining Change from Psychotherapy: A Mixed Method Study , Kelsi Dankey, Heather Karson, Arielle R. Yahnke, Sara Lemon, Tricia Downing, Danae Hoffman, and Natia Wilcek

What is the Impact of Mental Health Courts? A Systematic Literature Review , Rachel Dean

Best Practices for Engaging Birth Mothers in Post-Adoptive Grief Work , Melanie DeJong

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Vocational Rehabilitation in Economic Outcomes for Adults with Disabilities , Susanne Desmond

Bicycles and Youth: Impacts , Elizabeth Drews

Lessons for Social Workers: A Review of the Latino/a Undocumented Immigrant Experience , Katie J. Ducklow

Aging Americans: Family Factors and Satisfaction with Life and Aging , Miranda Eastham

Intervention with Intimate Partner Violence: Application of Attachment and Personality Disorders , MaryBeth Ehlert

Transgenerational Transmission of Caregiver Behaviors Promoting Secure Attachments in American Indian Communities , Bryan Ellingson

Interventions to Alleviate the Psychosocial Needs of Hospice Family Caregivers: A Systematic Review , Nicole Engen

Spiritually Integrated Care for Veteran Trauma Survivors: A Quantitative Analysis , Krystle Englund

Guardian ad Litem Perceptions of Child Protection , Carla Evans

Factors Contributing to Success in Treatment for Individuals with a Dual Diagnosis , Logan Evenson

Systematic Review: Considerations for Women with Co-occurring Substance Use Disorder and PTSD , Brittany Feller

Mindfulness Practice with Children who have Experienced Trauma , Margaret Fischer

Officer-Involved Homicides of Unarmed Black Males: Perceptions of the African American Community , Sarah Fox

Intimacy after Sexual Trauma: Clinical Perspectives , Melissa Franckowiak

Interventions that Support Caregivers of Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review , Melissa Franzen

Gaps in Mental Health Services in the Juvenile Justice System as Identified by Clinical Social Workers , Heather Fretty

Family Functioning and Secondary Traumatic Stress in Military Families: A Qualitative Study , Karlie Gams

Disability Accommodations in Postsecondary Education A Systematic Review , Kaitlyn Gartner

Perceptions of Diagnosing and Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Complex Trauma in Schools , Megan Gauer-Kloos

Clinician Support to Caregivers of Children with a Mental Health Disorder , Lauren Gavin

Effects of Yoga and Mindfulness-Based Practices on Stress and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents , Amanda Geldert

Intervention effectiveness following gender-based violence and forced migration: A critical systematic literature review and synthesis of qualitative studies from the voice of the client , Malory Giraldo

Identifying Protective Factors for Adult Children of Alcoholics , Jessica Goeke

"Si No Estuviera Conmigo, Yo Seria Muda en Este País": A Systematic Literature Review of Language Brokering Among Latinx Youth , Manuela Gonzalez

Postpartum Depression and Opinions on Screening , Jana Gorman

Identifying and Mitigating Caregiver Burnout: The Role of Adult Day Social Workers , Annika Grafstrom

Work and Quality of Life for Individuals with SMI: A Systematic Review , Scott Grandt

Analysis of Implementing Trauma Informed Programs in Grade Schools , Lilli Gray

Making it Right in the End: Conflict on the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team , Sarah Green

Supports and Barriers Experienced by Female Same-Sex Couples When Planning For Life as They Age , Johanna Guerkink

Sacred Shame: Integrating Spirituality and Sexuality , Alyssa J. Haggerty

Welfare Reform and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review , Brianna Heilman

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Getting Started with Social Work Research

Video Tutorials
Understanding the Libraries "Basic" Search
The Research Process
What is a literature review?
What is a Research Question?
Turn a topic into a Search Strategy
Keyword Brainstorming
Search Tips

The search box on the library homepage provides a basic search across library holdings. See the guide below for an explanation of how to effectively use the basic search:

Library Search Help

As you work toward completing your research projects, remember that the research process is NOT linear. It's usually more of a circular process and there may be many times where you jump back and forth between the stages of your research. While not everyone's research process will look exactly the same, the following model can give you a better idea of how the research process often works.

Think of scholarly papers like a conversation. A paper takes a look at what people are saying on a particular topic and then adds something new to the conversation based on their own research. A literature review is how scholars get caught up on the conversation so they will know what to say or ask next.

A literature review can be just a simple summary of the sources, but it usually has an organizational pattern and combines both summary and synthesis.

A summary is a recap of the important information of the source, but a synthesis is a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that information. It might give a new interpretation of old material or combine new with old interpretations. Or it might trace the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates.

APA Literature Review Template Note: not yet updated for APA 7th edition

A research question is what forms and guides your literature review. It is the question that you want the literature to answer for you. A research question should be specific, focused, and concise.

To develop a research question, start with a general topic of interest to you. You'll want to do some preliminary and background research on this topic to think through what specific questions you might have.

Sample Topic: impact of social media on adolescent physical activity

Sample Research Question: Can social media serve as an effective tool for increasing physical activity among adolescents?

Need more guidance on developing your topic into a research question? Check out this video from the library at Northern Kentucky University.

In order to search most effectively for articles that pertain to your research topic, take a little time at the beginning of your project to plan out your search strategy.

1. Break up your topic/research question into it's primary concepts

i.e. What impact does tobacco use have on the lung health of teenagers?
Population - teenagers
Problem - tobacco use
Outcome - lung health

2. Brainstorm synonyms for your terms (see more in next tab)

i.e. teenagers, teens, adolescents, youth, young adults, juvenile

3. Add quotation marks around exact phrases and be sure to include both singular and plural

i.e. "young adults", "young adult"

4. Search one concept at a time using ORs to include all of your synonyms and then combine your searches with AND

Search 1: teenagers OR teens OR adolescents OR youth OR "young adults" OR "young adult" OR juveniles
Search 2: tobacco OR smoking OR vaping OR cigarettes OR nicotine
Search 3: lung health OR "respiratory health" OR "respiratory distress" OR dyspnea OR asthma OR "pulmonary disorder" OR "pulmonary disorders" OR "pulmonary disease" OR "pulmonary diseases"

1. Save time, prepare to research!

Break your research question into key concepts (you'll connect these in your paper to make an original argument)
For each of these concepts, brainstorm multiple keywords
Try this keyword tool to brainstorm online and send the results to yourself.

2. Combine keywords using AND and OR :

Too many results? Try using quotation marks around an exact phrase. Ex: "students with disabilities"
Still too many results? Narrow using AND . Ex: "students with disabilities" AND "assistive technology"
Too few results? Broaden using OR . Ex: "students with disabilities" AND (campus OR college OR university OR higher education)
Put parentheses around synonyms.
The asterisk finds multiple endings from a root word. Ex: wom* will bring back women, woman's, wombat, etc.

3. Brush up on the search tools available:

Here are search tips for Google .
Databases often include their own search tips. Tip: Look for a help link or a gear symbol.

Interfaces and search options vary across databases, but best practices for searching are relatively consistent across interfaces. No matter which database you choose, remember these important tips...

1) Don't search wth your topic as a single phrase! Determine the key concepts of your topic. Then place each concept in its own search bar. For example...

Image of sample database search: line 1, college students; line 2, retention; line 3, first generation

2) Use ORs to string together synonyms or related terms for core concepts...

Image of sample database search: line 1, college students OR undergraduates; line 2, retention OR completion OR persistence; line 3, first generation OR first in family

3) Use truncation, when appropriate. Adding an * to the end of a word will catch all forms of that word. For example, teach* will return teach, teachers, teaching , etc.

Image of sample database search: line 1, college students OR undergraduates; line 2, retention OR complet* OR persist*; line 3, first generation OR first in family

4) Use proximity searches to force a relationship between two terms. This isn't always needed, but is sometimes super helpful. Completion is a common word that may come up in many context. The search below means that the word complete or completion must appear within two words of college in the article title and abstracts.

Image of sample database search: line 1, college students OR undergraduates; line 2, retention OR (college n2 complet*) OR persistence; line 3, first generation OR first in family

5) Look for the "peer reviewed" limit in each database. You can set this limit on the main search screen (before you search) or narrow your results after you've started your search.

6) Set date limits as appropriate for your topic..

Image of database "limit to" box: Full text, (checked) Scholarly (peer reviewed) Journals, Cover Story, and Publication Date slider

Writing a Research Paper

Steps for Writing a Research Paper Step by Step instructions on how to write a research paper by the University Writing Center

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206 Social Work Research Topics

It is always noble and never useless to make efforts to contribute to society. One of the best ways to do that is to ace your studies first. For that, you will need to conduct good research. It would help if you had a solid social work topic to make your research impactful. Today is the first day of your life to come and write the best research paper in your class.

Table of Contents

Social Research Topics: Administrative, Elderly, Youth and More

If you are still looking for some research paper topics for inspiration, we are here to help. Today, we have 204 Social Work Research Topics to make your day and research a happy beginning.

Want us to do the job for you? All you have to do is contact us and say: write my paper !

Social Work Research Topics For Administration and Management

Initiatives to improve public life quality in rural areas
Organizing activities to enhance efforts to raise awareness about climate change
The roles of administration and management to control and manage social disputes
Influences of social support and stress on the public behavior
Exploration of knowledge relating to interprofessional collaboration among graduates
Intervention models used by social workers for the improvement of social structure
Conflict management in organizations and workplaces
Conflict management in childcare center work teams
Community management in housing societies
Social representations of gambling and how to manage its impact on society
The decision-making process in stress-induced organizational environments
The specificity of social work within a multidisciplinary team in a school environment
The ancient art of storytelling. How can administrators organize such events to bring out social harmony
Social disaster management in localities and SOPs to help the public avoid panicking
Social management of a disaster: a multidimensional analysis
The identity construction of street youth
Social representations and public policies
Fight against poverty as a social responsibility
The case of non-governmental organizations and community groups
The role of social workers in civil societies
Influence of roads on the variance of reproductive success
The direct action of anti-authoritarian groups working in California
Privatization and Commercialization of Social security in the US
Role and contribution of medical social work in university hospitals
An exploratory study of social support. The process leading to accommodation for senior citizens
Duty to provide shelter, food and clothing for every citizen of society

Find our guide on writing a research paper introduction .

Social Work Research Topics About The Elderly

The process of obtaining consent from older adults during social interventions
Building the well-being of seniors in the European territories
Housing and accommodation of homeless seniors
Various indicators of the well-being of the elders
The delivery of training and information sessions aimed at the well-being of seniors
Aspects of end-of-life well-being among older adults in The United States
Promoting the needs, protecting the assets and defending the interests of senior citizens
The offer of products and services that meet the needs of the elderly
Facilities such as insurance, senior citizen benefits and discounts
The representation of elderly members of society by governments, institutions and other groups
Non-profit agencies. Carrying out projects to identify and meet the needs of senior citizens
Resources for the welfare of the seniors
Studies highlight the importance of strong social ties among older adults
Adult education for the improvement of elderly citizens
Lower health and well-being indexes in older people without close relatives
The well-being of middle-aged adults and older people without partners or children
Seminars and events to gather the information and opinions of elders
Practitioners, policymakers and researchers to improve the health and welfare of the elderly
The development and evaluation of the Mental Health Policy Assessment Tool for
The mental health of elderly citizens
Initiatives to check policies and programs based on the values and needs of seniors
Understanding the values and concerns of seniors
Factors that may influence the elderly’s mental health
Importance of employing senior interns. They have more understanding of the world and experience of human emotion
Understanding older people as they have different needs
Examples of health care reorientation for senior citizens
Societal preferences and needs of aging populations

Looking for high school research paper ideas instead? 297 High School Research Paper Topics to Top The Class

Youth Social Work Research Topics

Sociology at the service of social work among young students
Debates about social work in schools and colleges
Social work through debates and discussions by raising awareness of social issues
Managing uncertainty and risk about child protection
Rights of students and the need to raise awareness in the regard
Issues and practices in expression and creation workshops in schools
Students working on social issues
The institutes that provide financial help to students engaged in social work
Environmental education and social work
Prepare students to do social work to become better versions of themselves
Encouraging youth to think about public service
Education of young women in underdeveloped countries
The involvement of students in social work. Students that have experienced a mental health problem
Immigration policy and the economic integration of international students
Problems and Solutions Retained for international students in The United States
The cause of women over the centuries. Has their condition improved or gotten worse?
Quality of life and drugs. For young people dealing with post-recovery trauma
Youth court and child protection. Judging and decision-making in disputes among young people
Programs to prevent drug abuse and addiction among young people
Programs to inspire students and thought. Reflecting on the orientation of social work
A student’s journey from structured education to a model with social goals
Awareness and solution to the challenges for parents of teenage students. How can students help these efforts
Group intervention with adolescent clients of a social services center
Youth and social practices
Young people and social work
Being young and exposed to a technological disaster
Parental involvement in the context of youth protection
The point of view of workers working in youth centers on parental involvement
The experience of parents living in California with autistic children
Social functioning and coping strategies used by adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Social policy and regional development of students
Method and design of a home adaptation guide
The academic journey of university students diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder
Supporting the motivation of Aboriginal female students in their university studies
The effects of an internship. International students enrolled in an adult education center
Students with disabilities in the context of a university internship

Also related: Argumentative Research Topics : Religion, Health, Economics, etc.

Social Work Research Topics Related To Mental Health

The contribution of social work to the therapeutic relationship. The recovery of people with a severe mental disorder
Factors that influence recovery in older people with severe mental illness
Consequences of macro social catastrophes on psychosocial health
Environmental control, behaviors and feelings of the elderly
Factors that help or hinder intervention. Young people with one or more mental disorders
The perception of young homosexual people. The factors that influence their state of mental health
Post-disaster recovery, mental health and resilience: the role of public health organizations.
Impacts of floods on mental health in South Asian countries
The recovery process. People who have developed a mental disorder after being victims of violent crime
The relationships between self-stigma, self-esteem, self-efficacy and recovery in people with mental disorders
The practical initiatives in social work with mental health aspects
Role of social media in the rise of psychological problems. The endeavors to overcome the dilemma
Attachment styles, family context and severe behavioral disorders
Implementation of a support program: Parents helping young people with a mental disorder
People with severe mental disorders and their influencing factors
The experience of parents with an adult child with borderline personality disorder
Social awareness of Histrionic Personality Disorder

Related services: Get Medical Paper Writing Service For Academic Distinction .

Social Justice Research Topics

Significant milestones in the history of social justice
Solid contributions to social justice by social workers
The standard of reasonableness through surveys on values
Anthropological elements that help social justice.
Role of philosophical understanding to promote social justice
Truth, Justice and The American Way: An original slogan or a sham?
The need for social justice on international grounds
Need for social justice to have a fair globalized environment
Social work in the global supply chains
The future of social work
The crucial role of social justice in international labor standards
International employment standards and the importance of social justice
What side of political economy serves social justice better? Socialism or Capitalism?
Use of the Word Justice and Meaning of Justice and its critical importance. Making the world a better and more liveable place
Social justice and the community structure
Economic analysis of profit and investment with moral strings attached
Cultural prejudice holding back social justice
Role of cultural understanding to improve the application of social justice
Social Justice, Civil Sense and Education
Social justice and rules of recognition
The universality of the humanitarian law
Moral responsibilities of judicial office
Evolution of social legislation in Europe and the Americas in the nineteenth century
Social Justice in Post-Revolution France compared to the monarch-era
Social justice and subjective rights
Public interest or humanitarian mission
On what basis can a sociological explanation base on the norms of justice?
Believing in justice: from psychological comfort to ideology
Religious values behind social justice
Importance of religion in improving human life
The action of the public authorities in matters of social justice
Different conceptions and perceptions of social justice
Economic and social inequalities and their evolution

Seeking help with your research: Order Now at Paper Perk .

Social Responsibility Research Topics

Building and implementing an action plan for restructuring the local community
Communities and local deployment
Risk management and corporate social responsibility
The need for social responsibility during the recurrence of a natural calamity
International Labor Organization. Importance of improving the work culture
What CEOs can do to improve work culture at a multinational organization
Social responsibility to stop employee persecution in underdeveloped and developing countries
The Green Paper on corporate social responsibility
The specificities of the European approach to customer services representation
The genesis of corporate social responsibility and evolution over the years
Elements and aspects of the concept of corporate social responsibility
Aspects and elements of the green economy
Layman’s duty to fight corruption
United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection: Importance and application
International standards for gender rights
Violation of gender rights in countries of the Indian Subcontinent
The values of influence of the practices in companies: The degree of responsibility
Corporate social responsibility and profit-making
Policy evaluation as a social process
Theoretical issues and evolution of customer service responsibility
Declaration of the International Labor Organization
International standards relating to labor law
International standards relating to social justice
International standards relating related to customer services

If you are an aspiring businessman: 260 Best Business Research Topics might pique your interest .

Social Work Research Topics: HealthCare

Group work, the health awareness initiative from the pupils in the universities
Situate the intervention of professionals in the health and social field
Discovering different professions and pursuits of social health studies
Using digital technology in activities in the health services
The first level of knowledge of the health and social work collaboratives
Questioning in health-social situated with the technological approach
Health and social sciences in the time of technological boom
Artificial Intelligence is helping health care on massive levels
Quality, safety and relevance of care
Social work to spread awareness on the prevention and control of viral diseases
Health and complementary health insurance
Child and adolescent health
Adult health and awareness about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Elderly health and aging: Care for the elderly in the post-pandemic era
Mental health and prevention and control suicide ratio
Financing and pricing of health establishments
Role of social workers to provide alternatives to conventional hospitalization
Evaluation of the national health strategy
Employment and income of health social workers
Conditions of exercise and work of health professionals
Training of medical social workers and health professionals
Topics to cover the areas of health problems in social sectors
Health and social matters: Need for the optional technological education

Finding a title for your research paper? Please read this blog ; it might help you.

Criminal Justice Social Work Research Topics

Social work to enforce fair and honest criminal justice
Efforts to make a mentally better society to avoid critical crimes such as murder and assault
Role of social workers to improve the delivery of criminal justice
Research related to the effects of the conviction
Social responsibility to understand compatible languages. Science and justice in terms of a layman
Social work to improve the quality of Justice and Quality Standards for Analytical Laboratories
Role of social work in search of a new balance in procedural law
Social work activities. Efforts involving monitoring the performance of the criminal justice system

Talking of crime and punishment, we have some legal research topics to offer you.

Environmental Social Work Topics

Social vulnerability and crises
Environmental intervention in social work
What we know about the consequences of flooding in various studies
Social workers faced with the demand for environmental justice
Social professions put to the test the environment
Social work and consideration of “living” in environmental problems
Ecology and social work: Initiatives to save the planet earth
Importance of education and training: social work in the fields of environmental sciences
Socio-political debates for ecological sustainability
Transformation of social policies to secure the environment and control global warming
Environment-sustaining activities to perform on the event of International Social Work Day
Co-constructing a New Eco-Social World to leave a better world behind

From writing the introduction to writing the conclusion for your research paper, your tasks could be complex. But one of the biggest challenges is to find the perfect social work research topic first. We hope this blog will work like a muse, and you won’t have to worry a minute more. You can visit our website if you still have any confusion, concerns, or questions. Our writers offering the most professional research writing services in the USA, are there to help.

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Home » Blog » Dissertation » Topics » Social Work » 80 Social Work Research Topics

80 Social Work Research Topics

FacebookXEmailWhatsAppRedditPinterestLinkedInAre you a student searching for captivating research topics in the field of social work? Look no further. Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree, finding the right research topic is essential for a successful dissertation. Social work is a multidisciplinary field that addresses societal issues and promotes social change, making it an […]

Are you a student searching for captivating research topics in the field of social work? Look no further. Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree, finding the right research topic is essential for a successful dissertation.

Social work is a multidisciplinary field that addresses societal issues and promotes social change, making it an excellent area to explore for your research. Our comprehensive list of social work research topics covers a wide range of areas, including mental health, child welfare, community development, social justice, and more.

By selecting a topic that aligns with your interests and career goals, you can contribute to the advancement of the field and make a positive impact on individuals and communities. Utilize available resources, such as research articles, case studies, and ethical guidelines, to support your study. With dedication and a passion for social work, your research can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need.

A List Of Potential Research Topics In Social Work:

What are the long-term effects of social isolation and loneliness on the well-being of older adults during and after the COVID-19 pandemic?
Addressing the mental health needs of children and adolescents in foster care: Strategies for social work practice.
How has the shift to remote and virtual service delivery impacted the effectiveness of social work interventions?
Assessing the impact of social work interventions on improving outcomes for children in care in the UK.
The role of social work in promoting and supporting mental health among diverse communities in the UK.
The impact of social work research and evidence-based practice on improving service quality and outcomes in the UK.
Exploring the role of social work in promoting inclusive education and supporting students with special educational needs in the UK.
Assessing the effectiveness of social work interventions in supporting individuals with disabilities to live independently in the UK.
The impact of school-based social work programs on student academic success and well-being.
How has the pandemic affected the provision of social services to homeless populations, and what strategies can social workers employ to address homelessness?
How has the pandemic exacerbated existing health disparities and inequities, and what role can social work play in addressing these issues?
Exploring the effectiveness of early intervention programs in reducing child poverty and improving child well-being in the UK.
Assessing the effectiveness of social work interventions in addressing domestic violence and abuse in the UK.
Exploring the role of social workers in addressing homelessness and housing insecurity.
Examining the impact of social work interventions on improving outcomes for children in foster care.
How has the pandemic affected the prevalence and dynamics of domestic violence and child abuse, and how can social workers respond effectively?
The impact of digital technology on social work practice and service delivery in the UK.
Evaluating the effectiveness of mentoring programs for at-risk youth in promoting positive outcomes.
Evaluating the effectiveness of restorative justice practices in reducing recidivism rates among juvenile offenders.
The effectiveness of trauma-informed care in supporting survivors of domestic violence.
Addressing the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on long-term well-being: A social work perspective.
The impact of social work interventions on mental health outcomes in low-income communities.
Assessing the effectiveness of social work interventions in promoting rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders in the UK.
Exploring the role of social workers in supporting individuals with substance use disorders in recovery.
Evaluating the impact of school social work programs on student attendance and engagement.
The role of social workers in supporting older adults in aging-in-place and long-term care decision-making.
The role of social work in addressing poverty and income inequality in the UK.
Evaluating the effectiveness of school-based bullying prevention programs in promoting safe learning environments.
Evaluating the effectiveness of family preservation programs in preventing child removals.
Addressing racial disparities in the child welfare system: Strategies for social work practice.
Exploring the experiences of social workers in rural and underserved areas: Challenges and opportunities.
Exploring the experiences of social workers in crisis and disaster response.
Examining the impact of social work interventions on reducing child abuse and neglect.
The role of social workers in supporting individuals and families affected by addiction.
Exploring the experiences of social workers working in rural communities in the UK and the unique challenges they face.
The impact of social work interventions on reducing substance abuse among adolescents.
Exploring the role of social workers in supporting individuals with disabilities in transition to adulthood.
Exploring the role of social workers in promoting social justice and advocacy for marginalized communities.
What are the impacts of the pandemic on community organizing efforts and collective action for social change?
Examining the experiences of social workers in child protection services: Ethical dilemmas and decision-making.
Exploring the intersection of social work and technology: Opportunities and challenges.
Exploring the experiences of immigrant and refugee populations in accessing social services.
Assessing the effectiveness of restorative justice approaches in the criminal justice system in the UK and the role of social work in facilitating the process.
Evaluating the impact of community organizing efforts on social change and empowerment.
Examining the impact of social work interventions on reducing school dropout rates.
What are the impacts of school closures and remote learning on the well-being and educational outcomes of children and adolescents, and how can social workers support them?
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health outcomes and access to mental health services among vulnerable populations?
Addressing the mental health needs of frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A social work perspective.
Exploring the experiences of social workers working in child protection and safeguarding in the UK.
Examining the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in the foster care system and strategies for improving support.
The experiences and challenges faced by social workers in addressing the needs of older adults in the UK.
Exploring the experiences of social workers in supporting individuals with chronic illnesses.
The impact of Brexit on the rights and well-being of migrant populations in the UK and the role of social work in advocating for their rights.
How has the pandemic affected access to healthcare services for marginalized populations, and how can social workers promote equitable healthcare access?
Addressing the mental health needs of veterans: Insights from social work practice.
The impact of austerity measures on social work practice and service delivery in the UK.
Evaluating the effectiveness of community-based mental health services in reducing hospitalization rates.
The effectiveness of group therapy interventions in promoting mental health and well-being.
How has the pandemic affected access to food security and nutrition, and how can social workers address food insecurity in their communities?
How has the pandemic influenced the provision of services for individuals with disabilities, and what strategies can social workers employ to promote inclusivity?
What are the emerging challenges and opportunities for social work practice in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?
How has the pandemic affected social work practice with immigrant and refugee populations, and how can social workers address their unique needs?
Examining the impact of social work interventions on reducing recidivism rates among adult offenders.
Evaluating the effectiveness of community-based programs in reducing elder abuse.
What are the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic for social work practice and preparedness in future crises?
The role of social workers in supporting individuals with disabilities in accessing employment and inclusive workplaces.
Addressing mental health stigma in culturally diverse communities: Strategies for social work practice.
The role of social work in addressing substance abuse and addiction issues in the UK.
Evaluating the impact of community-based interventions on reducing substance abuse and addiction.
What are the best practices for social workers in addressing the mental health needs of healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic?
What are the emerging ethical considerations for social workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?
How has the pandemic affected the prevalence and management of substance abuse and addiction, and what interventions are effective in supporting recovery?
Exploring the role of social workers in addressing human trafficking and modern slavery.
What are the unique challenges faced by social workers in providing telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Addressing the mental health needs of refugees and asylum seekers: Challenges and best practices.
Exploring the experiences of social workers in engaging with and supporting diverse religious and ethnic communities in the UK.
What are the impacts of the pandemic on child welfare services and foster care systems, and how can social workers ensure the safety and well-being of children?
What are the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of frontline workers, such as social workers and healthcare professionals?
Exploring the experiences of social workers working with LGBTQ+ individuals and communities in the UK.
The role of social work in addressing homelessness and supporting individuals and families in accessing suitable housing in the UK.

In conclusion, we have presented a diverse range of social work research topics tailored for students at various degree levels who are searching for captivating ideas for their dissertation research. Social work plays a critical role in addressing societal challenges, promoting well-being, and advocating for social justice. Whether you are an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral student, our comprehensive list of topics offers a wide array of research opportunities to explore current issues, examine interventions, and contribute to the advancement of the field.

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4.2 Writing a good research question

Learning objectives.

Identify and explain the seven key features of a good research question
Explain why it is important for social workers to be focused when creating a research question

Now that you’ve thought about what topics interest you and identified a topic that asks an empirical question about a target population, you need to form a research question about that topic. So, what makes a good research question? First, it is generally written in the form of a question. To say that your research question is “the opiate epidemic” or “animal assisted therapy” or “oppression” would not be correct. You need to frame your topic as a question , not a statement. A good research question is also one that is well-focused. A well-focused question helps you tune out irrelevant information and not try to answer everything about the world all at once. You could be the most eloquent writer in your class, or even in the world, but if the research question about which you are writing is unclear, your work will ultimately fall flat.

In addition to being written in the form of a question and being well-focused, a good research question is one that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. For example, if your interest is in gender norms, you could ask, “Does gender affect a person’s performance of household tasks?” but you will have nothing left to say once you discover your yes or no answer. Instead, why not ask, about the relationship between gender and household tasks. Alternatively, maybe we are interested in h ow or to what extent gender affects a person’s contributions to housework in a marriage? By tweaking your question in this small way, you suddenly have a much more fascinating question and more to say as you attempt to answer it.

a human head in silhouette with questions populating the inside of the head

A good research question should also have more than one plausible answer. The student who studied the relationship between gender and household tasks had a specific interest in the impact of gender, but she also knew that preferences might be impacted by other factors. For example, she knew from her own experience that her more traditional and socially conservative friends were more likely to see household tasks as part of the female domain and were less likely to expect their male partners to contribute to those tasks. Thinking through the possible relationships between gender, culture, and household tasks led that student to realize that there were many plausible answers to her questions about how gender affects a person’s contribution to household tasks. Because gender doesn’t exist in a vacuum, she wisely felt that she needed to consider other characteristics that work together with gender to shape people’s behaviors, likes, and dislikes. By doing this, the student considered the third feature of a good research question–she thought about the interconnections of several concepts. While she began with an interest in a single concept—household tasks—by asking herself what other concepts (such as gender or political orientation) might be related to her original interest, she was able to form a question that considered the associations among those concepts.

This student had one final component to consider. Social work research questions must contain a target population. Her study would be very different if she were to conduct it on older Americans or younger newly arrived immigrants. The target population is the group of people whose needs your study addresses. If the student noticed issues with household tasks as part of her work with first-generation immigrants, perhaps that would be her target population. Maybe she wants to address the needs of a community of older adults. Whatever the case, the target population should be chosen while keeping in mind social work’s responsibility to work on behalf of marginalized and oppressed groups.

In sum, a good research question generally has the following features:

It is written in the form of a question
It is clearly written
It is not a yes/no
It has more than one plausible answer
It considers connections among multiple variables
It is specific and clear about the concepts it addresses
It contains a target population

Key Takeaways

A poorly focused research question can lead to the demise of an otherwise well-executed study.
Research questions should address the needs of a target population.
Target population- group of people whose needs your study addresses

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Question by johnhain cc-0.

Guidebook for Social Work Literature Reviews and Research Questions Copyright © 2020 by Rebecca Mauldin and Matthew DeCarlo is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Education: A Guide to Library Research by Paul Streby Last Updated Jan 31, 2024 81 views this year

Journal articles & citations, government publications, conference papers, reports, theses, and other education-related documents. The ERIC Thesaurus can help identify useful subject terms.

Also available via EBSCOhost and the U.S. Department of Education (open access version). This database is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education to provide extensive access to education-related literature. ERIC provides coverage of journal articles, conferences, meetings, government documents, theses, dissertations, reports, audiovisual media, bibliographies, directories, books and monographs. Covers:

Adult, career and vocational education
Elementary & early childhood education
Education management
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Many ERIC Documents are online in ERIC, and older ones are available on microfiche on the 1st floor of the Thompson Library.

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Index and abstract of current research focused on social work, human services, and related areas.

Social Services Abstracts provides bibliographic coverage of current research focused on social work, human services, and related areas, including social welfare and social policy. The database abstracts and indexes over 1,300 serial publications, and includes journal articles, dissertations and book reviews. Searches link to Community of Scholars: Social Sciences. Coverage includes community & mental health services, crisis intervention, family & social welfare, gerontology, poverty, homelessness, professional issues, policy, addiction, social work education & practice, violence, abuse, neglect, welfare services.

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6 Common Leadership Styles — and How to Decide Which to Use When

Rebecca Knight

Being a great leader means recognizing that different circumstances call for different approaches.

Research suggests that the most effective leaders adapt their style to different circumstances — be it a change in setting, a shift in organizational dynamics, or a turn in the business cycle. But what if you feel like you’re not equipped to take on a new and different leadership style — let alone more than one? In this article, the author outlines the six leadership styles Daniel Goleman first introduced in his 2000 HBR article, “Leadership That Gets Results,” and explains when to use each one. The good news is that personality is not destiny. Even if you’re naturally introverted or you tend to be driven by data and analysis rather than emotion, you can still learn how to adapt different leadership styles to organize, motivate, and direct your team.

Much has been written about common leadership styles and how to identify the right style for you, whether it’s transactional or transformational, bureaucratic or laissez-faire. But according to Daniel Goleman, a psychologist best known for his work on emotional intelligence, “Being a great leader means recognizing that different circumstances may call for different approaches.”

RK Rebecca Knight is a journalist who writes about all things related to the changing nature of careers and the workplace. Her essays and reported stories have been featured in The Boston Globe, Business Insider, The New York Times, BBC, and The Christian Science Monitor. She was shortlisted as a Reuters Institute Fellow at Oxford University in 2023. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade as an editor and reporter at the Financial Times in New York, London, and Boston.

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Teens and social media: Key findings from Pew Research Center surveys

Laughing twin sisters looking at smartphone in park on summer evening

For the latest survey data on social media and tech use among teens, see “ Teens, Social Media, and Technology 2023 .”

Today’s teens are navigating a digital landscape unlike the one experienced by their predecessors, particularly when it comes to the pervasive presence of social media. In 2022, Pew Research Center fielded an in-depth survey asking American teens – and their parents – about their experiences with and views toward social media . Here are key findings from the survey:

Pew Research Center conducted this study to better understand American teens’ experiences with social media and their parents’ perception of these experiences. For this analysis, we surveyed 1,316 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17, along with one parent from each teen’s household. The survey was conducted online by Ipsos from April 14 to May 4, 2022.

This research was reviewed and approved by an external institutional review board (IRB), Advarra, which is an independent committee of experts that specializes in helping to protect the rights of research participants.

Ipsos invited panelists who were a parent of at least one teen ages 13 to 17 from its KnowledgePanel , a probability-based web panel recruited primarily through national, random sampling of residential addresses, to take this survey. For some of these questions, parents were asked to think about one teen in their household. (If they had multiple teenage children ages 13 to 17 in the household, one was randomly chosen.) This teen was then asked to answer questions as well. The parent portion of the survey is weighted to be representative of U.S. parents of teens ages 13 to 17 by age, gender, race, ethnicity, household income and other categories. The teen portion of the survey is weighted to be representative of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 who live with parents by age, gender, race, ethnicity, household income and other categories.

Here are the questions used for this report, along with responses, and its methodology .

Majorities of teens report ever using YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. YouTube is the platform most commonly used by teens, with 95% of those ages 13 to 17 saying they have ever used it, according to a Center survey conducted April 14-May 4, 2022, that asked about 10 online platforms. Two-thirds of teens report using TikTok, followed by roughly six-in-ten who say they use Instagram (62%) and Snapchat (59%). Much smaller shares of teens say they have ever used Twitter (23%), Twitch (20%), WhatsApp (17%), Reddit (14%) and Tumblr (5%).

A chart showing that since 2014-15 TikTok has started to rise, Facebook usage has dropped, Instagram and Snapchat have grown.

Facebook use among teens dropped from 71% in 2014-15 to 32% in 2022. Twitter and Tumblr also experienced declines in teen users during that span, but Instagram and Snapchat saw notable increases.

TikTok use is more common among Black teens and among teen girls. For example, roughly eight-in-ten Black teens (81%) say they use TikTok, compared with 71% of Hispanic teens and 62% of White teens. And Hispanic teens (29%) are more likely than Black (19%) or White teens (10%) to report using WhatsApp. (There were not enough Asian teens in the sample to analyze separately.)

Teens’ use of certain social media platforms also varies by gender. Teen girls are more likely than teen boys to report using TikTok (73% vs. 60%), Instagram (69% vs. 55%) and Snapchat (64% vs. 54%). Boys are more likely than girls to report using YouTube (97% vs. 92%), Twitch (26% vs. 13%) and Reddit (20% vs. 8%).

A chart showing that teen girls are more likely than boys to use TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Teen boys are more likely to use Twitch, Reddit and YouTube. Black teens are especially drawn to TikTok compared with other groups.

Majorities of teens use YouTube and TikTok every day, and some report using these sites almost constantly. About three-quarters of teens (77%) say they use YouTube daily, while a smaller majority of teens (58%) say the same about TikTok. About half of teens use Instagram (50%) or Snapchat (51%) at least once a day, while 19% report daily use of Facebook.

A chart that shows roughly one-in-five teens are almost constantly on YouTube, and 2% say the same for Facebook.

Some teens report using these platforms almost constantly. For example, 19% say they use YouTube almost constantly, while 16% and 15% say the same about TikTok and Snapchat, respectively.

More than half of teens say it would be difficult for them to give up social media. About a third of teens (36%) say they spend too much time on social media, while 55% say they spend about the right amount of time there and just 8% say they spend too little time. Girls are more likely than boys to say they spend too much time on social media (41% vs. 31%).

A chart that shows 54% of teens say it would be hard to give up social media.

Teens are relatively divided over whether it would be hard or easy for them to give up social media. Some 54% say it would be very or somewhat hard, while 46% say it would be very or somewhat easy.

Girls are more likely than boys to say it would be difficult for them to give up social media (58% vs. 49%). Older teens are also more likely than younger teens to say this: 58% of those ages 15 to 17 say it would be very or somewhat hard to give up social media, compared with 48% of those ages 13 to 14.

Teens are more likely to say social media has had a negative effect on others than on themselves. Some 32% say social media has had a mostly negative effect on people their age, while 9% say this about social media’s effect on themselves.

A chart showing that more teens say social media has had a negative effect on people their age than on them, personally.

Conversely, teens are more likely to say these platforms have had a mostly positive impact on their own life than on those of their peers. About a third of teens (32%) say social media has had a mostly positive effect on them personally, while roughly a quarter (24%) say it has been positive for other people their age.

Still, the largest shares of teens say social media has had neither a positive nor negative effect on themselves (59%) or on other teens (45%). These patterns are consistent across demographic groups.

Teens are more likely to report positive than negative experiences in their social media use. Majorities of teens report experiencing each of the four positive experiences asked about: feeling more connected to what is going on in their friends’ lives (80%), like they have a place where they can show their creative side (71%), like they have people who can support them through tough times (67%), and that they are more accepted (58%).

A chart that shows teen girls are more likely than teen boys to say social media makes them feel more supported but also overwhelmed by drama and excluded by their friends.

When it comes to negative experiences, 38% of teens say that what they see on social media makes them feel overwhelmed because of all the drama. Roughly three-in-ten say it makes them feel like their friends are leaving them out of things (31%) or feel pressure to post content that will get lots of comments or likes (29%). And 23% say that what they see on social media makes them feel worse about their own life.

There are several gender differences in the experiences teens report having while on social media. Teen girls are more likely than teen boys to say that what they see on social media makes them feel a lot like they have a place to express their creativity or like they have people who can support them. However, girls also report encountering some of the pressures at higher rates than boys. Some 45% of girls say they feel overwhelmed because of all the drama on social media, compared with 32% of boys. Girls are also more likely than boys to say social media has made them feel like their friends are leaving them out of things (37% vs. 24%) or feel worse about their own life (28% vs. 18%).

When it comes to abuse on social media platforms, many teens think criminal charges or permanent bans would help a lot. Half of teens think criminal charges or permanent bans for users who bully or harass others on social media would help a lot to reduce harassment and bullying on these platforms.

A chart showing that half of teens think banning users who bully or criminal charges against them would help a lot in reducing the cyberbullying teens may face on social media.

About four-in-ten teens say it would help a lot if social media companies proactively deleted abusive posts or required social media users to use their real names and pictures. Three-in-ten teens say it would help a lot if school districts monitored students’ social media activity for bullying or harassment.

Some teens – especially older girls – avoid posting certain things on social media because of fear of embarrassment or other reasons. Roughly four-in-ten teens say they often or sometimes decide not to post something on social media because they worry people might use it to embarrass them (40%) or because it does not align with how they like to represent themselves on these platforms (38%). A third of teens say they avoid posting certain things out of concern for offending others by what they say, while 27% say they avoid posting things because it could hurt their chances when applying for schools or jobs.

A chart that shows older teen girls are more likely than younger girls or boys to say they don't post things on social media because they're worried it could be used to embarrass them.

These concerns are more prevalent among older teen girls. For example, roughly half of girls ages 15 to 17 say they often or sometimes decide not to post something on social media because they worry people might use it to embarrass them (50%) or because it doesn’t fit with how they’d like to represent themselves on these sites (51%), compared with smaller shares among younger girls and among boys overall.

Many teens do not feel like they are in the driver’s seat when it comes to controlling what information social media companies collect about them. Six-in-ten teens say they think they have little (40%) or no control (20%) over the personal information that social media companies collect about them. Another 26% aren’t sure how much control they have. Just 14% of teens think they have a lot of control.

Two charts that show a majority of teens feel as if they have little to no control over their data being collected by social media companies, but only one-in-five are extremely or very concerned about the amount of information these sites have about them.

Despite many feeling a lack of control, teens are largely unconcerned about companies collecting their information. Only 8% are extremely concerned about the amount of personal information that social media companies might have and 13% are very concerned. Still, 44% of teens say they have little or no concern about how much these companies might know about them.

Only around one-in-five teens think their parents are highly worried about their use of social media. Some 22% of teens think their parents are extremely or very worried about them using social media. But a larger share of teens (41%) think their parents are either not at all (16%) or a little worried (25%) about them using social media. About a quarter of teens (27%) fall more in the middle, saying they think their parents are somewhat worried.

A chart showing that only a minority of teens say their parents are extremely or very worried about their social media use.

Many teens also believe there is a disconnect between parental perceptions of social media and teens’ lived realities. Some 39% of teens say their experiences on social media are better than parents think, and 27% say their experiences are worse. A third of teens say parents’ views are about right.

Nearly half of parents with teens (46%) are highly worried that their child could be exposed to explicit content on social media. Parents of teens are more likely to be extremely or very concerned about this than about social media causing mental health issues like anxiety, depression or lower self-esteem. Some parents also fret about time management problems for their teen stemming from social media use, such as wasting time on these sites (42%) and being distracted from completing homework (38%).

A chart that shows parents are more likely to be concerned about their teens seeing explicit content on social media than these sites leading to anxiety, depression or lower self-esteem.

Note: Here are the questions used for this report, along with responses, and its methodology .

CORRECTION (May 17, 2023): In a previous version of this post, the percentages of teens using Instagram and Snapchat daily were transposed in the text. The original chart was correct. This change does not substantively affect the analysis.

Age & Generations
Age, Generations & Tech
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Emily A. Vogels is a former research associate focusing on internet and technology at Pew Research Center

Risa Gelles-Watnick is a research analyst focusing on internet and technology research at Pew Research Center

How Teens and Parents Approach Screen Time

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100 Social Work Research Topics and Tips on Choosing One
50 Controversial Research Topics. Group therapy vs individual therapy for increasing autistic children adaptability. Impact on parents having children with autism spectrum disorder. Role play vs group discussion efficiency in increasing knowledge regarding drug abuse among high-school students. Addressing the stigma associated with depression.
199+ Social Work Research Topics [Updated 2024]
Examples include the "Journal of Social Work" and the "British Journal of Social Work." ... In conclusion, the journey of selecting the social work research topics is a crucial step that requires thoughtful consideration and reflection. The chosen topic should align with personal interests, address current social issues, and contribute ...
Best Social Work Research Topics
Social Work Thesis Topics. Educators will ask you to write different papers when pursuing social work studies. A sociology thesis is among the documents you might write when pursuing a master's or Ph.D. studies. Here are topics to consider for these papers. Investigating expecting mothers' postpartum depression.
225 Social Work Research Topics for College Students
Here is the list of the top 225 social work research topics for college students according to different categories; take a look. Child Well-being. How foster care affects child growth. Adoption and its effect on families. Ways to prevent child abuse. Role of social workers in child protection services. Struggles faced by children in foster care.
140 Amazing Social Work Research Topics for Students
Present the major problems faced by social workers in social work. Analyze the effects of alcohol and drug abuse among young people. Discuss the effectiveness of the prohibition of liquor. Share the major reasons for the increased rate of crime in society. Discuss the major factors that lead to incest.
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A literature review should be written in a way that covers the most recent and relevant research in the field. Here are some common social work topics suitable for a literature review: Understanding the significance of poverty on child development. Evidence-based practices in substance abuse treatment.
300 Social Work Research Topics & Ideas 2023
Below are comprehensive research topics in social work that are compelling to explore. Parenting and how it is affected by drug abuse. Hardship and benefits of teenage adoption. Dealing with suicidal thoughts. Societal view on mental sickness stigma. Adverse impact of displacement on street kids.
Social Work Theses, Projects, and Dissertations
social workers' perceptions of disproportionality and disparity in the child welfare system, nelyda rodriguez. pdf. examining homelessness and its effects on functioning among foster care alumni, silvia romero. pdf. the impact of social media use on social isolation and mental health among young adults, mariana romo. pdf.
233 Brilliant Social Work Research Topics To Use
Social works as a field of study fall within the social sciences, as a result of this the field of study deals with the use of questioning as an approach to arrive at a conclusive and reflective answer (empirical evidence). This is why research in this field deals with data collection, data analysis, experimentations, investigation, etc.
Social Work Research Topics
Social Work Research Topics for College Students. The impact of childhood trauma on mental health outcomes in adulthood. Examining the effectiveness of community-based interventions for reducing domestic violence. The intersection of race and poverty in accessing mental health services.
Journal of Social Work: Sage Journals
The Journal of Social Work is a forum for the publication, dissemination and debate of key ideas and research in social work. The journal aims to advance theoretical understanding, shape policy, and inform practice, and welcomes submissions from all … | View full journal description. This journal is a member of the Committee on Publication ...
Research on Social Work Practice: Sage Journals
Research on Social Work Practice (RSWP), peer-reviewed and published eight times per year, is a disciplinary journal devoted to the publication of empirical research concerning the assessment methods and outcomes of social work practice. Intervention programs covered include behavior analysis and therapy; psychotherapy or counseling with individuals; case management; and education.
How to Bring Research Into Social Work Practice
5.01 (d): Social workers should contribute to the knowledge base of social work and share with colleagues their knowledge related to practice, research, and ethics…. 5.02 (a) Social workers should monitor and evaluate policies, the implementation of programs, and practice interventions. 5.02 (b) Social workers should promote and facilitate ...
Foundations of Social Work Research
This textbook was created to provide an introduction to research methods for BSW and MSW students, with particular emphasis on research and practice relevant to students at the University of Texas at Arlington. It provides an introduction to social work students to help evaluate research for evidence-based practice and design social work research projects. It can be used with its companion, A ...
NASW Journals' Most Cited Articles
Widely regarded as the outstanding journal in the field, it includes analytic reviews of research, theoretical articles pertaining to social work research, evaluation studies, and diverse research studies that contribute to knowledge about social work issues and problems. 2021 Journal Impact Factor™: 1.844. Social Work in the Age of a Global ...
Grand Challenges for Social Work: Research, Practice, and Education
The Grand Challenges of Social Work is a large-scale initiative to bring a focus and synergy between social work research, practice, and education to bear on a range of universal social, economic, political, environmental, and psychological problems. After fine-tuning and incorporating additional feedback from the preliminary rollout at the ...
Social Work Research Methods
Social work researchers will send out a survey, receive responses, aggregate the results, analyze the data, and form conclusions based on trends. Surveys are one of the most common research methods social workers use — and for good reason. They tend to be relatively simple and are usually affordable.
Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers
Clinical Research Papers from 2019. PDF. Acculturation and Depression among Older U.S. Immigrants: A Systematic Review, Sunghwan Cho. PDF. Relationship as an Energetic Exchange: A Key Theory for the Nurtured Heart Approach, Inga Eanes. PDF.
Getting Started
A research question should be specific, focused, and concise. To develop a research question, start with a general topic of interest to you. You'll want to do some preliminary and background research on this topic to think through what specific questions you might have. Examples: Sample Topic: impact of social media on adolescent physical activity
206 Best Social Work Research Topics
Social Work Research Topics About The Elderly. The process of obtaining consent from older adults during social interventions. Building the well-being of seniors in the European territories. Housing and accommodation of homeless seniors. Various indicators of the well-being of the elders.
80 Social Work Research Topics
Social work is a multidisciplinary field that addresses societal issues and promotes social change, making it an excellent area to explore for your research. Our comprehensive list of social work research topics covers a wide range of areas, including mental health, child welfare, community development, social justice, and more.
4.2 Writing a good research question
You need to frame your topic as a question, not a statement. A good research question is also one that is well-focused. A well-focused question helps you tune out irrelevant information and not try to answer everything about the world all at once. You could be the most eloquent writer in your class, or even in the world, but if the research ...
LibGuides: Research Topic Ideas: Education & Social Work
Restorative community programs. Sexual assault; Sexual harassment. Social justice. Substance abuse. Suicide. Veterans. Welfare reform. Social Services Abstracts. Index and abstract of current research focused on social work, human services, and related areas.
Black Americans' Views of Racial Inequality ...
The terms "Black Americans," "Black people" and "Black adults" are used interchangeably throughout this report to refer to U.S. adults who self-identify as Black, either alone or in combination with other races or Hispanic identity.. Throughout this report, "Black, non-Hispanic" respondents are those who identify as single-race Black and say they have no Hispanic background.
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Over the last five years, the percentage of Fortune 100 board members possessing relevant credentials rose from 29% to 43%. The role of U.S. public boards in managing environmental, social, and ...
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Eleven of the coded topic areas (or beats) had enough reporting journalists in our sample to reliably study: crime and law, economy and business, education and family, entertainment and travel, environment and energy, government and politics, health, local and state, science and technology, social issues and policy, and sports.
Teens and social media: Key findings from Pew Research Center surveys
Girls are more likely than boys to say it would be difficult for them to give up social media (58% vs. 49%). Older teens are also more likely than younger teens to say this: 58% of those ages 15 to 17 say it would be very or somewhat hard to give up social media, compared with 48% of those ages 13 to 14. Teens are more likely to say social ...
Climate change and safety and health at work
As climate change intensifies, workers around the globe find themselves at an increased risk of exposure to hazards such as excessive heat, ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases and agrochemicals . The time to act is now! Key findings on climate change and occupational safety and health.
Safety and Health at Work
Safety and Health at Work. Occupational accidents and diseases lead to devastating impacts on workers, enterprises and entire communities and economies. Despite many improvements, the prevention of accidents and work-related diseases continues to have a considerable importance on a global scale.

199+ Social Work Research Topics [Updated 2024]

Significance of Choosing the Right Social Work Research Topics

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199+ Social Work Research Topics: Category-Wise

Diversity and Inclusion in Social Work

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