Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Social Work Research I Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026
This is the syllabus of the College of Social Work (Empowered Autonomous), Nirmala Niketan, which is the only college offering the B.S.W. under the University of Mumbai. The college has been autonomous since 2019-20 and empowered autonomous since 2024-25, so it sets this syllabus and conducts these examinations itself, and the degree awarded is still a University of Mumbai degree. The University last set a common B.S.W. paper of its own in 2019; this is the current document, amended in June 2026.
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Syllabus for Social Work Research - I
About this course
Social work profession emphasizes the importance of research in needs assessment, evaluation, and future planning, incorporating individual characteristics, circumstances, preferences, actions, and external research findings for effective intervention and outcome. This course teaches students about quantitative research methods in social work, covering program evaluation, policy development, and ethics. It aims to help students understand the importance, scope, and practical as well as strategic applications of research in real-world scenarios.
Course objectives
- To introduce the learner to the concept of social research
- To help learner understand different types of research designs, sampling techniques, data collection and analysis
- To enable the learners to develop basic skills in developing research proposal and concept papers
Learning outcomes
- CO 117 Discuss key concepts of research
- CO 118 Identify appropriate research topics.
- CO 119 Select and define an appropriate research problem and its parameters.
- CO 120 Prepare a project proposal (to undertake a research project).
Unit I: Introduction to research
- What is Research?
- Characteristics of scientific method Difference in quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methodology Relevance of research in social work Access and utility of existing research studies
- Ethics in social work research
Essential readings
- Lal Das. D. K. (2005) Designs of Social Research. Jaipur: Rawat Publication
Unit II: Formulation of Research Problem Statement Research Design, Sampling, Data Collection, Cleaning, entry and Analysis
- Literature review Rationale
- Gap Analysis
- Problem identification and formulation of research questions and objectives
- Concepts and variables
- Levels of measurement Conceptual and Operational definitions of variables
- Research hypothesis and Null hypothesis
- Research design (Exploratory, Descriptive, and Explanatory designs) Sampling Methods
- Data Collection Methods & Tools
Essential readings
- Kothari, C.R (2004). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi: New Age International Lal Das. D. K. (2005)
- Designs of Social Research. Jaipur: Rawat Publication
Reproduced from Regulations and Syllabus of Bachelor of Social Work Degree (2023), Amended 2026, published by the College of Social Work (Empowered Autonomous), Nirmala Niketan, which is affiliated to the University of Mumbai and sets this syllabus itself. Wording is as printed in that document.
The complete syllabus
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