PrepScholar

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 113 great research paper topics.

author image

General Education

feature_pencilpaper

One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily find the best topic for you.

In addition to the list of good research topics, we've included advice on what makes a good research paper topic and how you can use your topic to start writing a great paper.

What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

Not all research paper topics are created equal, and you want to make sure you choose a great topic before you start writing. Below are the three most important factors to consider to make sure you choose the best research paper topics.

#1: It's Something You're Interested In

A paper is always easier to write if you're interested in the topic, and you'll be more motivated to do in-depth research and write a paper that really covers the entire subject. Even if a certain research paper topic is getting a lot of buzz right now or other people seem interested in writing about it, don't feel tempted to make it your topic unless you genuinely have some sort of interest in it as well.

#2: There's Enough Information to Write a Paper

Even if you come up with the absolute best research paper topic and you're so excited to write about it, you won't be able to produce a good paper if there isn't enough research about the topic. This can happen for very specific or specialized topics, as well as topics that are too new to have enough research done on them at the moment. Easy research paper topics will always be topics with enough information to write a full-length paper.

Trying to write a research paper on a topic that doesn't have much research on it is incredibly hard, so before you decide on a topic, do a bit of preliminary searching and make sure you'll have all the information you need to write your paper.

#3: It Fits Your Teacher's Guidelines

Don't get so carried away looking at lists of research paper topics that you forget any requirements or restrictions your teacher may have put on research topic ideas. If you're writing a research paper on a health-related topic, deciding to write about the impact of rap on the music scene probably won't be allowed, but there may be some sort of leeway. For example, if you're really interested in current events but your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the US and North Korea. No matter what, always get your research paper topic approved by your teacher first before you begin writing.

113 Good Research Paper Topics

Below are 113 good research topics to help you get you started on your paper. We've organized them into ten categories to make it easier to find the type of research paper topics you're looking for.

Arts/Culture

  • Discuss the main differences in art from the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance .
  • Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.
  • How is sexism portrayed in different types of media (music, film, video games, etc.)? Has the amount/type of sexism changed over the years?
  • How has the music of slaves brought over from Africa shaped modern American music?
  • How has rap music evolved in the past decade?
  • How has the portrayal of minorities in the media changed?

music-277279_640

Current Events

  • What have been the impacts of China's one child policy?
  • How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
  • How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
  • Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
  • What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of unemployment?
  • What have been the impacts of states which have increased their minimum wage?
  • How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other countries?
  • How have the US's immigration laws changed in the past few years/decades?
  • How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view about racism in the US?
  • What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
  • What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
  • What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
  • Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies  (some of which tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain) .
  • Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their careers?
  • Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
  • Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades compared to when they weren't receiving a free meal?
  • Do students who attend charter schools score higher on standardized tests than students in public schools?
  • Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
  • How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
  • What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method ?
  • Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
  • What was the impact of the No Child Left Behind act?
  • How does the US education system compare to education systems in other countries?
  • What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students' health?
  • Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
  • Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who attended traditional schools?
  • Does offering tenure increase or decrease quality of teaching?
  • How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
  • Should graduate students be able to form unions?

body_highschoolsc

  • What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?
  • How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
  • Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
  • Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
  • How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
  • How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
  • Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?
  • Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at preventing future crimes?
  • Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
  • Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are similar and different from one another.
  • Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
  • Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
  • Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
  • Should governments be able to censor certain information on the internet?
  • Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen pregnancy?
  • What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
  • How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and maintaining weight loss?
  • How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
  • What are the most effective ways to treat depression ?
  • What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
  • Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
  • What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
  • What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
  • Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic .
  • Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
  • How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
  • Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their children?
  • What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
  • How does stress affect the body?
  • Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
  • What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
  • Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
  • How has New Orleans and the government's response to natural disasters changed since Hurricane Katrina?
  • What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
  • What were the impacts of British rule in India ?
  • Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
  • What were the successes and failures of the women's suffrage movement in the United States?
  • What were the causes of the Civil War?
  • How did Abraham Lincoln's assassination impact the country and reconstruction after the Civil War?
  • Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American Revolution?
  • What caused Hitler's rise to power?
  • Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
  • What led to Cleopatra's fall as ruler of Egypt?
  • How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
  • What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide ?

main_lincoln

  • Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
  • Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson family, etc.)
  • How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic Church?
  • How has the Catholic church's power changed over the past decades/centuries?
  • What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/ agnosticism in the United States?
  • What were the influences in Siddhartha's life resulted in him becoming the Buddha?
  • How has media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September 11th?

Science/Environment

  • How has the earth's climate changed in the past few decades?
  • How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the US?
  • Analyze how the number and severity of natural disasters have increased in the past few decades.
  • Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of time.
  • How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
  • How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
  • What are the pros and cons of fracking?
  • What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
  • What have NASA's biggest successes and failures been?
  • How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
  • Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
  • Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
  • What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of extinction?
  • What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
  • How are black holes created?
  • Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
  • How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
  • Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
  • How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
  • Has social media made people more or less connected?
  • What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence ?
  • Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
  • What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
  • How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
  • When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
  • Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?

body_iphone2

How to Write a Great Research Paper

Even great research paper topics won't give you a great research paper if you don't hone your topic before and during the writing process. Follow these three tips to turn good research paper topics into great papers.

#1: Figure Out Your Thesis Early

Before you start writing a single word of your paper, you first need to know what your thesis will be. Your thesis is a statement that explains what you intend to prove/show in your paper. Every sentence in your research paper will relate back to your thesis, so you don't want to start writing without it!

As some examples, if you're writing a research paper on if students learn better in same-sex classrooms, your thesis might be "Research has shown that elementary-age students in same-sex classrooms score higher on standardized tests and report feeling more comfortable in the classroom."

If you're writing a paper on the causes of the Civil War, your thesis might be "While the dispute between the North and South over slavery is the most well-known cause of the Civil War, other key causes include differences in the economies of the North and South, states' rights, and territorial expansion."

#2: Back Every Statement Up With Research

Remember, this is a research paper you're writing, so you'll need to use lots of research to make your points. Every statement you give must be backed up with research, properly cited the way your teacher requested. You're allowed to include opinions of your own, but they must also be supported by the research you give.

#3: Do Your Research Before You Begin Writing

You don't want to start writing your research paper and then learn that there isn't enough research to back up the points you're making, or, even worse, that the research contradicts the points you're trying to make!

Get most of your research on your good research topics done before you begin writing. Then use the research you've collected to create a rough outline of what your paper will cover and the key points you're going to make. This will help keep your paper clear and organized, and it'll ensure you have enough research to produce a strong paper.

What's Next?

Are you also learning about dynamic equilibrium in your science class? We break this sometimes tricky concept down so it's easy to understand in our complete guide to dynamic equilibrium .

Thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner? Nurse practitioners have one of the fastest growing careers in the country, and we have all the information you need to know about what to expect from nurse practitioner school .

Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa).

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

author image

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Join the Conversation

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

  • For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

work research topics

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

StatAnalytica

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.

Related Posts

best way to finance car

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

how to get fund for business

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

  • How It Works
  • PhD thesis writing
  • Master thesis writing
  • Bachelor thesis writing
  • Dissertation writing service
  • Dissertation abstract writing
  • Thesis proposal writing
  • Thesis editing service
  • Thesis proofreading service
  • Thesis formatting service
  • Coursework writing service
  • Research paper writing service
  • Architecture thesis writing
  • Computer science thesis writing
  • Engineering thesis writing
  • History thesis writing
  • MBA thesis writing
  • Nursing dissertation writing
  • Psychology dissertation writing
  • Sociology thesis writing
  • Statistics dissertation writing
  • Buy dissertation online
  • Write my dissertation
  • Cheap thesis
  • Cheap dissertation
  • Custom dissertation
  • Dissertation help
  • Pay for thesis
  • Pay for dissertation
  • Senior thesis
  • Write my thesis

206 Interesting Social Work Research Topics You Should Consider

social work research topics

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.

Get Professional Thesis Assistance

Perhaps, you have chosen a title but don’t have the skills or time to write a top-notch paper. Maybe you’ve never scored high grades on your report, and your professor or parent constantly reprimands you. In that case, you need help with your academic writing.

We offer fast, cheap, and some of the best dissertation services for college, university, and high school students. Our ENL and U.S writers are always ready to handle your project. Contact us now to get the best academic paper help online.

178 Communication Research Topics

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment * Error message

Name * Error message

Email * Error message

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

As Putin continues killing civilians, bombing kindergartens, and threatening WWIII, Ukraine fights for the world's peaceful future.

Ukraine Live Updates

Illustration

  • Research Paper Guides
  • Research Paper Topics
  • 300 Social Work Research Topics & Questions for Papers
  • Speech Topics
  • Basics of Essay Writing
  • Essay Topics
  • Other Essays
  • Main Academic Essays
  • Basics of Research Paper Writing
  • Miscellaneous
  • Chicago/ Turabian
  • Data & Statistics
  • Methodology
  • Admission Writing Tips
  • Admission Advice
  • Other Guides
  • Student Life
  • Studying Tips
  • Understanding Plagiarism
  • Academic Writing Tips
  • Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

Illustration

  • Essay Guides
  • Formatting Guides
  • Basics of Research Process
  • Admission Guides
  • Dissertation & Thesis Guides

300 Social Work Research Topics & Questions for Papers

Social Work Research Topics

Table of contents

Illustration

Use our free Readability checker

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.

Illustration

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_1_ab59a03630.jpg

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

You may also like

thumbnail@2x.png

Thesis Helpers

work research topics

Find the best tips and advice to improve your writing. Or, have a top expert write your paper.

233 Social Work Research Topics: Helpful List For Students

social work research topics

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.

senior thesis

Make PhD experience your own

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Library Home

Foundations of Social Work Research

(4 reviews)

work research topics

Rebecca L. Mauldin

Copyright Year: 2020

ISBN 13: 9781648169915

Publisher: Mavs Open Press

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Learn more about reviews.

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

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... read more

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... read more

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... read more

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... read more

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.

Table of Contents

  • 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

Contribute to this Page

  • Buy Custom Assignment
  • Custom College Papers
  • Buy Dissertation
  • Buy Research Papers
  • Buy Custom Term Papers
  • Cheap Custom Term Papers
  • Custom Courseworks
  • Custom Thesis Papers
  • Custom Expository Essays
  • Custom Plagiarism Check
  • Cheap Custom Essay
  • Custom Argumentative Essays
  • Custom Case Study
  • Custom Annotated Bibliography
  • Custom Book Report
  • How It Works
  • +1 (888) 398 0091
  • Essay Samples
  • Essay Topics
  • Research Topics
  • Uncategorized
  • Writing Tips

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!

Sociology Research Topics Ideas

Importance of Computer in Nursing Practice Essay

History Research Paper Topics For Students

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related emails.

Latest Articles

Navigating the complexities of a Document-Based Question (DBQ) essay can be daunting, especially given its unique blend of historical analysis...

An introduction speech stands as your first opportunity to connect with an audience, setting the tone for the message you...

Embarking on the journey to write a rough draft for an essay is not just a task but a pivotal...

I want to feel as happy, as your customers do, so I'd better order now

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.

My Paper Done

  • Services Paper editing services Paper proofreading Business papers Philosophy papers Write my paper Term papers for sale Term paper help Academic term papers Buy research papers College writing services Paper writing help Student papers Original term papers Research paper help Nursing papers for sale Psychology papers Economics papers Medical papers Blog

work research topics

256 In Depth Social Work Research Topics To Get Top Grade

social work research topics

Social work is a practice which discusses social change and development. It requires the understanding of people’s behavior, economic conditions, social and cultural institutions, etc., to engage in meaningful interactions with people on individual, family, group, and community levels. As a discipline, it concerns itself with these levels to grow the society. The discipline encompasses fields like political science, sociology, human biology, psychology, economics, community development, health, even law. Social workers are responsible for social change as they help the vulnerable and complex people. They also help liberate violated persons or those recovering from abuse, amongst others. As a student in a college or university, before accessing the more than 200 social work research topics, how would you structure your research?

Outline And Structure For A Social Work Dissertation

While you need to find a topic from these social work project ideas or research term papers, you also need to learn how to structure your research. Writing a research paper for a high grade is not an easy task. You should abide by the following structure for your social work dissertation:

  • Front Page: Your front page is your title page which has your table of content, abstract, dedication, acknowledgment page, and any other essential subject that must be known before an average reader digs into your dissertation.
  • Introduction: Your introduction is the fundamental explanation of your topic and the problem of research you want to tackle. You should also make your research statements and establish the goals and significance of your chosen social work research topic.
  • Literature Review: This is the part of research where your knowledge of the chosen topic is revealed. If you lack adequate knowledge on the topic, it will be deduced here, and that’s because you haven’t combed through relevant sources online and offline to boost your understanding of your chosen study of discussion. You must discuss the theoretical background of your research, review related existing sources, and critically explain how they relate to your research in this section.
  • State Your Research Methodology: Some professors would want your research methodology to appear before your literature review – whatever works. You must mention the research mediums, make statements on why you choose the method and explain the value of that method in the course of research. You can also write about the limitations of the method.
  • Results of Study: This is where you discuss your key points which will be divided into different chapters. You get to cite your ethical observations and discuss everything you need to. If you need to compare and contrast, you should do it here. Note that your arguments must be clear and well structured.
  • Conclusion: This comes after you’ve made your arguments. You’ll summarize the argument and make them brief for your conclusion. This conclusion also includes your resolution on the study.
  • Reference List: This is where you mention every source used while writing the paper. This will show that you truly did a research and you created an original work, free of plagiarism.

With this structure in mind, these are some social work research topics ideas for you:

Social Work Research Questions

As earlier noted, the field engages the public. Before you start with your research, depending on your area of study, you must have some questions the research intends to answer. These questions are found in the research questions section and they could be:

  • Why should anyone be a social worker?
  • Does protests, violent or otherwise, achieve transformational change?
  • Examine ways trauma inform education for kids in foster homes
  • Divide the way implementing different learning curriculums can help patients with autism
  • How does divorce impact the mental health of children?
  • How does loss inform family crisis?
  • How does loss affect family social interaction?
  • Examine how food security could guarantee safety for foster children
  • Discuss how community violence often traumatize members of the LGBTQ
  • Discuss how the US criminal justice system is a failure
  • Does the American lifestyle truly matter in the face of racial justice?
  • Examine the symptoms of workplace trauma
  • Discuss rape trauma symptoms and the help social workers can render
  • Discuss the systems through which workplace violence has been best addressed
  • Examine how the minority groups are faring under the repressive American healthcare systems
  • Evaluate the significant disability of parenting on orphans
  • Discuss why children try to escape from foster homes
  • Examine the psychology of juvenile jails
  • Discuss the challenges of training children with disability
  • Evaluate the percentage of obesity and its impact amongst a group of people.

Social Worker Research Topics

As a student of psychology, law, sociology, human biology, and other areas of study, you need to understand the day-to-day lives of people. To do so, you can embark on research on the field. These are social worker research topics and suggestions for your college degree:

  • What are the personal talents a social worker must possess?
  • Evaluate the challenges of the 21st-century social worker which was inexistent until now
  • Growth in the ease of carrying out social workers today
  • Examine the significance of group therapy for Families
  • Discuss the essentiality of group therapy for clinically depressed children
  • Examine what child support is in details
  • Speak with 5 families and discuss their understanding of child support
  • Examine how adults with a disability are treated in any two states of your choice
  • Examine how children with disabilities are affected through mobility
  • Discuss the impact of stigma on ADHD patients
  • Basic challenge of mental health in the US today
  • Discuss the trend in the evolution of mental health in the world
  • Social regulations affect on autistics
  • Discuss how disability affects any age group of your choice
  • Evaluate how homelessness affects social integration
  • Discuss the way of living with bipolar people
  • Examine the rate of potential suicide in the military and offer solutions
  • Discuss the trends of abuse in the military and proffer solutions
  • Dangers of misdiagnosis
  • How to prevent the rise in street children

Social Work Thesis Topics

To attain high grades in your university, your research must be of equally high quality. It’s better to hire a writer to get your custom research paper written for money. Getting on the research on your own may be complex, especially when there are no custom topics. With these social work thesis topics, you have a lot of creative ideas to write your project on:

  • Evaluate the social impacts of bullying on children
  • Evaluate the long-term psychological influence of bullying
  • Discuss the danger of child abuse in foster care
  • Examine the psychological effects of abuse in disabled adults
  • Discuss the complexities around child labor
  • Give an overview of child labor scandal in any company of your choice
  • Examine the crisis of parenthood amongst immigrants
  • Examine the emotional consequences of loss on a family
  • Discuss the educational challenges of visually impaired learners
  • Evaluate the debate for and against abortion
  • Evaluate the crisis of trauma in foster kids in social care centers
  • Examine the consequence of displacement in war-torn areas
  • Discuss the psychological consequences on war-torn countries
  • Examine the literature on how to approach fatigue amongst social workers
  • Discuss the best way to approach structural racism in any sector of your choice
  • Examine the role of correctional facilities in correcting criminality
  • Basis of the American rehab system
  • Discuss two family systems theories and how they can be applied
  • Examine how juvenile delinquency affects children
  • Discuss rehabilitation centers as an isolation center
  • Examine the consequence of the lack of empathy amongst wardens
  • What are your thoughts about the death sentence?
  • Would you say that incarcerated people are doomed for life?
  • Comment on the role Romania prisoners play in their theatre Industry
  • Examine the role of empathy amongst social care workers
  • Discuss the role of empathy amongst counselors
  • Structural racism affect on Healthcare systems in the UK
  • Discuss the way foster homes can be made safer for kids
  • Examine how to protect kids from induced trauma due to displacement
  • Best ways to address how homelessness affects children’s academic strength
  • Examine how child abuse lead to academic Disability
  • Evaluate how child poverty leads to the rise in child crimes
  • Illustrate how sexual health education could help teenagers avoid unwanted pregnancy
  • Importance of therapists in maintaining a healthier mental system
  • Social reaction to AIDS in the 1980s and now
  • Impact of human trafficking on the society
  • Discuss the social implications of rape
  • Discuss the social implications of stigmatizing rape survivors
  • Evaluate the challenge of AIDS awareness
  • Discuss the growth in the challenges disabled people face in today’s civilized societies.

Human Services Research Paper Topics

Social workers attend to individual and community needs. The average social worker is dedicated first, to other people. This is why human services research paper topics are essential to choosing a resonating topic on how human existence is important before human challenges can be dealt with. If you want to impress your teachers, you can write on any of these:

  • Illustrate how a food bank could be of help to Americans
  • Examine the household policies of any two presidents and how they affected or helped the public
  • Discuss the need for therapy amongst welfare workers
  • Evaluate the practicality of resilience amongst weary social care workers
  • Discuss the challenges of juvenile delinquency in the UK
  • Illustrate how best it is to understand the effect of child abuse
  • Illustrate the best way to build real love amongst foster care kids
  • Critically review the challenges of homophobia in the UK
  • Critically review the challenges of homophobia in Africa
  • Comment on the criticism against Dave Chappelle on his LGTBQ comments
  • Discuss the factors that lead to violence amongst families
  • Discuss what spousal violence is
  • Examine the best method to attend to family cruelty
  • Best ways to show minority groups love
  • Examine the best way to reduce unemployment and its consequence
  • Discuss the loss of self-esteem in trafficked persons
  • Draw a comparison between incarceration and juvenile living
  • Discuss the problem of the US’s correctional facilities
  • Ways to invalidate bullying in schools
  • Examine the best way to address anxiety and panicking in kids.

Interesting Social Work Topics

There are a series of interesting subjects in social work. These are not necessarily subjects that will make you laugh, they are serious, and could even be controversial, but fascinating to understudy in social work. If you need interesting social work topics, consider these:

  • Choose three states and discuss the situation of juvenile delinquency there
  • Examine the logic fueling separation of adult and juvenile delinquents
  • Discuss the logic of calling depression a mental disorder
  • Impacts of dyslexia
  • Evaluate the contrast between Bipolar I and II
  • Examine the consequences of racism in America’s institutions
  • Discuss the factors that fuel racism in America
  • Evaluate the challenge of gender equality in the workplace
  • Factors leading to physical and emotional trauma amongst incarcerated pregnant women
  • Effects of alcohol abuse on children from violent homes
  • Examine the measures of social inclusion in departed societies
  • Discuss the solutions to drug abuse in America
  • Comment on the cases of prisoners accused of a crime after more than 2 decades
  • Comment on the psychological effects of being in jail
  • Discuss the effect of alcohol abuse on university students
  • Examine the challenge of social stigma after release from jail
  • Discuss the disposition of people to social care workers
  • Examine the stories behind the largest human trafficking network
  • Evaluate the challenges of modern slavery
  • Discuss the institutional remedies to avoid institutional slavery
  • Effects of child neglect on social lifestyle
  • Discuss why parents neglect their children
  • Examine the best recommendations towards healing for violent families
  • Examine the ethical conditions of modern workplaces
  • Critically review the effects of taking a child to child support
  • Discuss the best way to speak with a grieving person
  • Examine the factors motivating elder abuse
  • Evaluate the symptoms of grief
  • Discuss why emotional support is essential during grief counseling
  • Discuss the ethics of a counselor during support periods.

Controversial Topics In Social Work

You can as well consider controversial topics in social work for your next project or paper. These are also argumentative topics that may require you to take a stand and argue your sentiments. You can consider these topics.

  • Examine individual therapy and group therapy for autistic patients
  • Discuss the group discussion and role-play benefit in therapy amongst kids
  • Evaluate the measures to mitigate stereotypes against depressed persons
  • Discuss the best way to address stigma
  • Critically review PTSD amidst veterans
  • Discuss the set of people who are most susceptible to drug abuse
  • Evaluate the need to support alcohol-addicted families
  • Illustrate the best way to prevent drug addictions
  • Discuss the myths about substance abuse in middle age people
  • Examine the challenge of workaholics who have no time for family
  • Discuss the challenges faced during suicide prevention discussions
  • Evaluate the need for sensitization to halt trafficking
  • Discuss the role of social workers in ending civil wars
  • Discuss the role of social workers in countering bullying
  • Discuss the challenges facing support groups
  • Examine the functions of parents in approaching dyslexia
  • Discuss how to help build social resilience spirit in workers
  • Examine how to attend to panic for both adolescents and adults
  • Discuss the variety of child abuse in orphanages
  • Examine the variety of child abuse
  • Abuse the LGTBQ community face
  • Discuss the psychological consequences of human trafficking on traffickers
  • Critically review the common challenges faced by members of the LGBTQ in schools
  • Discuss ways to help antisocial students
  • Rationalize the reasons to adopt teenagers
  • Discuss the challenges with child-parent separation
  • Examine the challenges with welfare mothers and the factors exacerbating it
  • Discuss the major ways substance abuse impact parenting
  • Evaluate the best ways to approach trauma offer death in the family
  • Discuss the effects of alcoholism on the mental ability of individuals.

Social Work Essay Topics

As a field with its uniqueness, there are a variety of undiscussed topics. You don’t need to engage in long research or paper for some of these topics, you simply need to discuss them and drive public attention to them.

  • Examine the way of life and experiences of women existing in shelter homes
  • Discuss the experiences of inferior races in America and the challenge of the black people
  • Evaluate the level of racism to an Asian American person and a black American person and draw your conclusions
  • Discuss the environmental challenges that affect students’ academic abilities in schools
  • Discuss the sociological challenges that affect students lifestyle as well as their sense of self
  • Critically illustrate the psychological, social, emotional, and physical changes a pregnant woman experiences before and after childbirth
  • Critically review the psychological and emotional impact of low self-esteem
  • Challenges facing disabled people’s education
  • Discuss the effect of verbal and physical abuse in schools and how it affects concentration on class
  • Comment: should parents flog their kids, even for good reasons, and explain why it is normal or otherwise
  • Discuss the challenges physical abuse cause in a couple’s intimacy
  • Evaluate the category of sexual physical violence which is mutually agreed upon to spice up sexual experience
  • Critically analyze the role of inclusivity in improving social lifestyle
  • Discuss the most fundamental challenges that occur in interracial marriages
  • Analyze the role of religious diversity amongst social workers to promote religious Integration
  • Discuss the role of cultural diversity in the Workplace to achieve cultural integration into the broader society
  • Evaluate how the average white person victimize people of any minority group
  • Discuss the experiences of girls when they first see their menses: evaluate the panic or fear
  • Critically discuss the consequences of the high cost of housing in the UK
  • Critically analyze the negative effects of birth control policies on the UK
  • Critically analyze the consequences of the illegalization of abortion in any African country
  • Discuss how paying less for labor equate modern-day slavery
  • Examine the role of rehabilitation centers in Integrating healthier people
  • Discuss how teenage pregnancy affects the education and career of teenage mothers
  • Discuss the role of confinement in the family and its consequences
  • Evaluate what drug vulnerability means
  • Evaluate the causes of drug abuse in poor homes
  • Discuss how drugs are a means of survival for some addicts
  • Evaluate the long-term consequences of incarceration
  • Examine how hypnosis is an essential feature of therapy and argue if it should still be used during therapy sessions
  • Discuss the role of cognitive therapy in stabilizing people and its essence on foster care
  • Evaluate the challenges of misdiagnosis and how it affects mentally dysfunctional persons
  • Discuss the difference between undiagnosed depression and clinical depression: discuss the factors that lead to them and how they operate
  • Effects of being an immigrant in Poland
  • Review the circumstances immigrants exist in the UK
  • Compare and contrast the cost of living in two states and how it affects families
  • Critically discuss the role of the social worker in the 21st century
  • Critically analyze what child support means to unwilling parents
  • Analyze the ways of creating education and awareness for people with dyslexia
  • Discuss the factors that lead to social isolation amongst kids.

Social Work Research Topics Ideas

For your professional degree, you can discover existing topics to build on for your research. You can even discover new social work research ideas from the following:

  • Discuss therapy differences for kids and adults
  • Examine what leads to abuse
  • Discuss why countries have different ages of maturity
  • Strategies of reporting abuse
  • Evaluate the ways to prevent child abuse
  • Elucidate the method of developing social services
  • Review the need to work with HIV patients
  • Motivations to care for the homeless
  • Discuss the isolation of any community of your choice
  • Examine how poor financial abilities lead to alcoholism
  • Discuss the factors leading to the rise of rape
  • Examine sexual assault history in Hollywood
  • Discuss how to work with impaired people
  • Role of social workers in contributing to homelessness
  • Examine the best ways to protect sexually exploited kids
  • Discuss the best way to approach traumatized and trafficked persons
  • Challenges of low-income families during times of protests
  • Discuss the consequences of the BLM movement globally
  • Examine Government response to any social crisis of your choice
  • Evaluate how religious practices affect social work
  • Discuss the best ways to help low-income earners with therapy
  • Critically review any two digital therapy sites
  • Give a connection between welfare worker burnout and uninterested foster care mothers
  • Identify the best way to develop emotional intelligence
  • Discuss how the language barrier affect socialization
  • Evaluate why some people are reluctant to speak with therapists
  • Discuss the challenges facing mental health conditions today
  • Evaluate why morally inclined persons abuse people
  • Give a detailed overview of how surrogacy works
  • Discuss how mental health affects overall health
  • Discuss the best ways to raise children
  • Discuss the best way to live with a child with autism
  • Best way to integrate a child with a disability
  • Challenges rising from physical abuse
  • Examine the challenges mitigating against reduction in emotional abuse
  • Discuss the role of social workers in family abuse
  • Analyze the importance of recreational activities as therapy
  • Analyze how pedophiles process their thoughts
  • Analyze the mental conditions of sexual violators
  • Give an overview of the R. Kelly sexual crime case.

Social Work Topics For Presentation

If you want to get practical with your assignment or project, you can consider a presentation. Your presentation can cut across any of these:

  • Give a forensic analysis of how social work works
  • Analyze the history of social works
  • Study the trends one social work
  • Discuss the role of police in social work
  • Discuss the role of governments in social work
  • Analyze the importance of therapy for social workers
  • Analyze the essence of therapy for teenagers
  • Discuss the gap therapy covers in broken families
  • Evaluate cases of adult abuse
  • Analyze the consequences of drug abuse for adults
  • Discuss the struggles of marginalized groups
  • Examine the contemporary structure of social work
  • Discuss the emotional impact of rape
  • Analyze the role of juvenile delinquency in rehabilitation
  • Discuss how foster homes create safe spaces
  • Evaluate the transition to the LGTBQ community
  • Examine foster parenting in detail, including impacts
  • Discuss the consequences of living in low-cost neighborhoods
  • Examine the trauma of raped victims
  • Examine the role of social workers for drug addicts
  • Discuss the significance of free healthcare for a group of people, state which
  • Examine the strategies of integrating kids into society
  • Discuss what being antisocial mean
  • Identify the causes and consequences of Stockholm Syndrome
  • Critically express psychological effects of incest.

Need Help With Your Paper?

While you can create a top-notch essay or dissertation from these topics, you can choose to hire professional writers. ENL has the best US writers amongst whom are professors and teachers with years of research and writing experience. If you’re thinking “I need someone to do my research paper for me ,” look no further. ENL writers are based online. By exchanging conversations online, you can chill while these professionals create the best custom paper to earn you high grades in college or university at a cheap price. They write fast, avoid plagiarism, and will express your thoughts in their writings without exceeding your due date.

Forensic Science Research Topics

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Terms & Conditions Loyalty Program Privacy Policy Money-Back Policy

Copyright © 2013-2024 MyPaperDone.com

Grad Coach

Research Topics & Ideas: Education

170+ Research Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Topic Kickstarter: Research topics in education

If you’re just starting out exploring education-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research topic ideation process by providing a hearty list of research topics and ideas , including examples from actual dissertations and theses..

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . To develop a suitable education-related research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Education Research Topics

  • How to find a research topic (video)
  • List of 50+ education-related research topics/ideas
  • List of 120+ level-specific research topics 
  • Examples of actual dissertation topics in education
  • Tips to fast-track your topic ideation (video)
  • Free Webinar : Topic Ideation 101
  • Where to get extra help

Education-Related Research Topics & Ideas

Below you’ll find a list of education-related research topics and idea kickstarters. These are fairly broad and flexible to various contexts, so keep in mind that you will need to refine them a little. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

  • The impact of school funding on student achievement
  • The effects of social and emotional learning on student well-being
  • The effects of parental involvement on student behaviour
  • The impact of teacher training on student learning
  • The impact of classroom design on student learning
  • The impact of poverty on education
  • The use of student data to inform instruction
  • The role of parental involvement in education
  • The effects of mindfulness practices in the classroom
  • The use of technology in the classroom
  • The role of critical thinking in education
  • The use of formative and summative assessments in the classroom
  • The use of differentiated instruction in the classroom
  • The use of gamification in education
  • The effects of teacher burnout on student learning
  • The impact of school leadership on student achievement
  • The effects of teacher diversity on student outcomes
  • The role of teacher collaboration in improving student outcomes
  • The implementation of blended and online learning
  • The effects of teacher accountability on student achievement
  • The effects of standardized testing on student learning
  • The effects of classroom management on student behaviour
  • The effects of school culture on student achievement
  • The use of student-centred learning in the classroom
  • The impact of teacher-student relationships on student outcomes
  • The achievement gap in minority and low-income students
  • The use of culturally responsive teaching in the classroom
  • The impact of teacher professional development on student learning
  • The use of project-based learning in the classroom
  • The effects of teacher expectations on student achievement
  • The use of adaptive learning technology in the classroom
  • The impact of teacher turnover on student learning
  • The effects of teacher recruitment and retention on student learning
  • The impact of early childhood education on later academic success
  • The impact of parental involvement on student engagement
  • The use of positive reinforcement in education
  • The impact of school climate on student engagement
  • The role of STEM education in preparing students for the workforce
  • The effects of school choice on student achievement
  • The use of technology in the form of online tutoring

Level-Specific Research Topics

Looking for research topics for a specific level of education? We’ve got you covered. Below you can find research topic ideas for primary, secondary and tertiary-level education contexts. Click the relevant level to view the respective list.

Research Topics: Pick An Education Level

Primary education.

  • Investigating the effects of peer tutoring on academic achievement in primary school
  • Exploring the benefits of mindfulness practices in primary school classrooms
  • Examining the effects of different teaching strategies on primary school students’ problem-solving skills
  • The use of storytelling as a teaching strategy in primary school literacy instruction
  • The role of cultural diversity in promoting tolerance and understanding in primary schools
  • The impact of character education programs on moral development in primary school students
  • Investigating the use of technology in enhancing primary school mathematics education
  • The impact of inclusive curriculum on promoting equity and diversity in primary schools
  • The impact of outdoor education programs on environmental awareness in primary school students
  • The influence of school climate on student motivation and engagement in primary schools
  • Investigating the effects of early literacy interventions on reading comprehension in primary school students
  • The impact of parental involvement in school decision-making processes on student achievement in primary schools
  • Exploring the benefits of inclusive education for students with special needs in primary schools
  • Investigating the effects of teacher-student feedback on academic motivation in primary schools
  • The role of technology in developing digital literacy skills in primary school students
  • Effective strategies for fostering a growth mindset in primary school students
  • Investigating the role of parental support in reducing academic stress in primary school children
  • The role of arts education in fostering creativity and self-expression in primary school students
  • Examining the effects of early childhood education programs on primary school readiness
  • Examining the effects of homework on primary school students’ academic performance
  • The role of formative assessment in improving learning outcomes in primary school classrooms
  • The impact of teacher-student relationships on academic outcomes in primary school
  • Investigating the effects of classroom environment on student behavior and learning outcomes in primary schools
  • Investigating the role of creativity and imagination in primary school curriculum
  • The impact of nutrition and healthy eating programs on academic performance in primary schools
  • The impact of social-emotional learning programs on primary school students’ well-being and academic performance
  • The role of parental involvement in academic achievement of primary school children
  • Examining the effects of classroom management strategies on student behavior in primary school
  • The role of school leadership in creating a positive school climate Exploring the benefits of bilingual education in primary schools
  • The effectiveness of project-based learning in developing critical thinking skills in primary school students
  • The role of inquiry-based learning in fostering curiosity and critical thinking in primary school students
  • The effects of class size on student engagement and achievement in primary schools
  • Investigating the effects of recess and physical activity breaks on attention and learning in primary school
  • Exploring the benefits of outdoor play in developing gross motor skills in primary school children
  • The effects of educational field trips on knowledge retention in primary school students
  • Examining the effects of inclusive classroom practices on students’ attitudes towards diversity in primary schools
  • The impact of parental involvement in homework on primary school students’ academic achievement
  • Investigating the effectiveness of different assessment methods in primary school classrooms
  • The influence of physical activity and exercise on cognitive development in primary school children
  • Exploring the benefits of cooperative learning in promoting social skills in primary school students

Secondary Education

  • Investigating the effects of school discipline policies on student behavior and academic success in secondary education
  • The role of social media in enhancing communication and collaboration among secondary school students
  • The impact of school leadership on teacher effectiveness and student outcomes in secondary schools
  • Investigating the effects of technology integration on teaching and learning in secondary education
  • Exploring the benefits of interdisciplinary instruction in promoting critical thinking skills in secondary schools
  • The impact of arts education on creativity and self-expression in secondary school students
  • The effectiveness of flipped classrooms in promoting student learning in secondary education
  • The role of career guidance programs in preparing secondary school students for future employment
  • Investigating the effects of student-centered learning approaches on student autonomy and academic success in secondary schools
  • The impact of socio-economic factors on educational attainment in secondary education
  • Investigating the impact of project-based learning on student engagement and academic achievement in secondary schools
  • Investigating the effects of multicultural education on cultural understanding and tolerance in secondary schools
  • The influence of standardized testing on teaching practices and student learning in secondary education
  • Investigating the effects of classroom management strategies on student behavior and academic engagement in secondary education
  • The influence of teacher professional development on instructional practices and student outcomes in secondary schools
  • The role of extracurricular activities in promoting holistic development and well-roundedness in secondary school students
  • Investigating the effects of blended learning models on student engagement and achievement in secondary education
  • The role of physical education in promoting physical health and well-being among secondary school students
  • Investigating the effects of gender on academic achievement and career aspirations in secondary education
  • Exploring the benefits of multicultural literature in promoting cultural awareness and empathy among secondary school students
  • The impact of school counseling services on student mental health and well-being in secondary schools
  • Exploring the benefits of vocational education and training in preparing secondary school students for the workforce
  • The role of digital literacy in preparing secondary school students for the digital age
  • The influence of parental involvement on academic success and well-being of secondary school students
  • The impact of social-emotional learning programs on secondary school students’ well-being and academic success
  • The role of character education in fostering ethical and responsible behavior in secondary school students
  • Examining the effects of digital citizenship education on responsible and ethical technology use among secondary school students
  • The impact of parental involvement in school decision-making processes on student outcomes in secondary schools
  • The role of educational technology in promoting personalized learning experiences in secondary schools
  • The impact of inclusive education on the social and academic outcomes of students with disabilities in secondary schools
  • The influence of parental support on academic motivation and achievement in secondary education
  • The role of school climate in promoting positive behavior and well-being among secondary school students
  • Examining the effects of peer mentoring programs on academic achievement and social-emotional development in secondary schools
  • Examining the effects of teacher-student relationships on student motivation and achievement in secondary schools
  • Exploring the benefits of service-learning programs in promoting civic engagement among secondary school students
  • The impact of educational policies on educational equity and access in secondary education
  • Examining the effects of homework on academic achievement and student well-being in secondary education
  • Investigating the effects of different assessment methods on student performance in secondary schools
  • Examining the effects of single-sex education on academic performance and gender stereotypes in secondary schools
  • The role of mentoring programs in supporting the transition from secondary to post-secondary education

Tertiary Education

  • The role of student support services in promoting academic success and well-being in higher education
  • The impact of internationalization initiatives on students’ intercultural competence and global perspectives in tertiary education
  • Investigating the effects of active learning classrooms and learning spaces on student engagement and learning outcomes in tertiary education
  • Exploring the benefits of service-learning experiences in fostering civic engagement and social responsibility in higher education
  • The influence of learning communities and collaborative learning environments on student academic and social integration in higher education
  • Exploring the benefits of undergraduate research experiences in fostering critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills
  • Investigating the effects of academic advising and mentoring on student retention and degree completion in higher education
  • The role of student engagement and involvement in co-curricular activities on holistic student development in higher education
  • The impact of multicultural education on fostering cultural competence and diversity appreciation in higher education
  • The role of internships and work-integrated learning experiences in enhancing students’ employability and career outcomes
  • Examining the effects of assessment and feedback practices on student learning and academic achievement in tertiary education
  • The influence of faculty professional development on instructional practices and student outcomes in tertiary education
  • The influence of faculty-student relationships on student success and well-being in tertiary education
  • The impact of college transition programs on students’ academic and social adjustment to higher education
  • The impact of online learning platforms on student learning outcomes in higher education
  • The impact of financial aid and scholarships on access and persistence in higher education
  • The influence of student leadership and involvement in extracurricular activities on personal development and campus engagement
  • Exploring the benefits of competency-based education in developing job-specific skills in tertiary students
  • Examining the effects of flipped classroom models on student learning and retention in higher education
  • Exploring the benefits of online collaboration and virtual team projects in developing teamwork skills in tertiary students
  • Investigating the effects of diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus climate and student experiences in tertiary education
  • The influence of study abroad programs on intercultural competence and global perspectives of college students
  • Investigating the effects of peer mentoring and tutoring programs on student retention and academic performance in tertiary education
  • Investigating the effectiveness of active learning strategies in promoting student engagement and achievement in tertiary education
  • Investigating the effects of blended learning models and hybrid courses on student learning and satisfaction in higher education
  • The role of digital literacy and information literacy skills in supporting student success in the digital age
  • Investigating the effects of experiential learning opportunities on career readiness and employability of college students
  • The impact of e-portfolios on student reflection, self-assessment, and showcasing of learning in higher education
  • The role of technology in enhancing collaborative learning experiences in tertiary classrooms
  • The impact of research opportunities on undergraduate student engagement and pursuit of advanced degrees
  • Examining the effects of competency-based assessment on measuring student learning and achievement in tertiary education
  • Examining the effects of interdisciplinary programs and courses on critical thinking and problem-solving skills in college students
  • The role of inclusive education and accessibility in promoting equitable learning experiences for diverse student populations
  • The role of career counseling and guidance in supporting students’ career decision-making in tertiary education
  • The influence of faculty diversity and representation on student success and inclusive learning environments in higher education

Research topic idea mega list

Education-Related Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic in education, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses in the education space to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of education-related research projects to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

  • From Rural to Urban: Education Conditions of Migrant Children in China (Wang, 2019)
  • Energy Renovation While Learning English: A Guidebook for Elementary ESL Teachers (Yang, 2019)
  • A Reanalyses of Intercorrelational Matrices of Visual and Verbal Learners’ Abilities, Cognitive Styles, and Learning Preferences (Fox, 2020)
  • A study of the elementary math program utilized by a mid-Missouri school district (Barabas, 2020)
  • Instructor formative assessment practices in virtual learning environments : a posthumanist sociomaterial perspective (Burcks, 2019)
  • Higher education students services: a qualitative study of two mid-size universities’ direct exchange programs (Kinde, 2020)
  • Exploring editorial leadership : a qualitative study of scholastic journalism advisers teaching leadership in Missouri secondary schools (Lewis, 2020)
  • Selling the virtual university: a multimodal discourse analysis of marketing for online learning (Ludwig, 2020)
  • Advocacy and accountability in school counselling: assessing the use of data as related to professional self-efficacy (Matthews, 2020)
  • The use of an application screening assessment as a predictor of teaching retention at a midwestern, K-12, public school district (Scarbrough, 2020)
  • Core values driving sustained elite performance cultures (Beiner, 2020)
  • Educative features of upper elementary Eureka math curriculum (Dwiggins, 2020)
  • How female principals nurture adult learning opportunities in successful high schools with challenging student demographics (Woodward, 2020)
  • The disproportionality of Black Males in Special Education: A Case Study Analysis of Educator Perceptions in a Southeastern Urban High School (McCrae, 2021)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, in order for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest.  In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

Get 1-On-1 Help

If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic within education, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

Research Topic Kickstarter - Need Help Finding A Research Topic?

You Might Also Like:

Research topics and ideas in psychology

54 Comments

Watson Kabwe

This is an helpful tool 🙏

Musarrat Parveen

Special education

Akbar khan

Really appreciated by this . It is the best platform for research related items

Trishna Roy

Research title related to school of students

Angel taña

Research title related to students

Ngirumuvugizi Jaccques

Good idea I’m going to teach my colleagues

Anangnerisia@gmail.com

You can find our list of nursing-related research topic ideas here: https://gradcoach.com/research-topics-nursing/

FOSU DORIS

Write on action research topic, using guidance and counseling to address unwanted teenage pregnancy in school

Samson ochuodho

Thanks a lot

Johaima

I learned a lot from this site, thank you so much!

Rhod Tuyan

Thank you for the information.. I would like to request a topic based on school major in social studies

Mercedes Bunsie

parental involvement and students academic performance

Abshir Mustafe Cali

Science education topics?

Karen Joy Andrade

How about School management and supervision pls.?

JOHANNES SERAME MONYATSI

Hi i am an Deputy Principal in a primary school. My wish is to srudy foe Master’s degree in Education.Please advice me on which topic can be relevant for me. Thanks.

NKWAIN Chia Charles

Every topic proposed above on primary education is a starting point for me. I appreciate immensely the team that has sat down to make a detail of these selected topics just for beginners like us. Be blessed.

Nkwain Chia Charles

Kindly help me with the research questions on the topic” Effects of workplace conflict on the employees’ job performance”. The effects can be applicable in every institution,enterprise or organisation.

Kelvin Kells Grant

Greetings, I am a student majoring in Sociology and minoring in Public Administration. I’m considering any recommended research topic in the field of Sociology.

Sulemana Alhassan

I’m a student pursuing Mphil in Basic education and I’m considering any recommended research proposal topic in my field of study

Kupoluyi Regina

Kindly help me with a research topic in educational psychology. Ph.D level. Thank you.

Project-based learning is a teaching/learning type,if well applied in a classroom setting will yield serious positive impact. What can a teacher do to implement this in a disadvantaged zone like “North West Region of Cameroon ( hinterland) where war has brought about prolonged and untold sufferings on the indegins?

Damaris Nzoka

I wish to get help on topics of research on educational administration

I wish to get help on topics of research on educational administration PhD level

Sadaf

I am also looking for such type of title

Afriyie Saviour

I am a student of undergraduate, doing research on how to use guidance and counseling to address unwanted teenage pregnancy in school

wysax

the topics are very good regarding research & education .

William AU Mill

Can i request your suggestion topic for my Thesis about Teachers as an OFW. thanx you

ChRISTINE

Would like to request for suggestions on a topic in Economics of education,PhD level

Would like to request for suggestions on a topic in Economics of education

George

Hi 👋 I request that you help me with a written research proposal about education the format

Sarah Moyambo

l would like to request suggestions on a topic in managing teaching and learning, PhD level (educational leadership and management)

request suggestions on a topic in managing teaching and learning, PhD level (educational leadership and management)

Ernest Gyabaah

I would to inquire on research topics on Educational psychology, Masters degree

Aron kirui

I am PhD student, I am searching my Research topic, It should be innovative,my area of interest is online education,use of technology in education

revathy a/p letchumanan

request suggestion on topic in masters in medical education .

D.Newlands PhD.

Look at British Library as they keep a copy of all PhDs in the UK Core.ac.uk to access Open University and 6 other university e-archives, pdf downloads mostly available, all free.

Monica

May I also ask for a topic based on mathematics education for college teaching, please?

Aman

Please I am a masters student of the department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Education Please I am in need of proposed project topics to help with my final year thesis

Ellyjoy

Am a PhD student in Educational Foundations would like a sociological topic. Thank

muhammad sani

please i need a proposed thesis project regardging computer science

also916

Greetings and Regards I am a doctoral student in the field of philosophy of education. I am looking for a new topic for my thesis. Because of my work in the elementary school, I am looking for a topic that is from the field of elementary education and is related to the philosophy of education.

shantel orox

Masters student in the field of curriculum, any ideas of a research topic on low achiever students

Rey

In the field of curriculum any ideas of a research topic on deconalization in contextualization of digital teaching and learning through in higher education

Omada Victoria Enyojo

Amazing guidelines

JAMES MALUKI MUTIA

I am a graduate with two masters. 1) Master of arts in religious studies and 2) Master in education in foundations of education. I intend to do a Ph.D. on my second master’s, however, I need to bring both masters together through my Ph.D. research. can I do something like, ” The contribution of Philosophy of education for a quality religion education in Kenya”? kindly, assist and be free to suggest a similar topic that will bring together the two masters. thanks in advance

betiel

Hi, I am an Early childhood trainer as well as a researcher, I need more support on this topic: The impact of early childhood education on later academic success.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Print Friendly

206 Social Work Research Topics

blog image

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Order Original Papers & Essays

Your First Custom Paper Sample is on Us!

timely deliveries

Timely Deliveries

premium quality

No Plagiarism & AI

unlimited revisions

100% Refund

Try Our Free Paper Writing Service

Related blogs.

blog-img

Connections with Writers and support

safe service

Privacy and Confidentiality Guarantee

quality-score

Average Quality Score

work research topics

  • How we work

work research topics

81 Social Work Research Topics to Consider for PhD Research

Browse our collection of wide-ranging research topics for social work that can make your project stand out.

work research topics

Great Social Work Topics to Research: Signs, Features & Examples

The main thing to remember when seeking great social work research proposal topics is the need to focus on investigating actual problems. Major research areas are related to concepts, theories, and principles people use to interact with individuals and groups. Moreover, research also covers internal processes and functioning principles within social entities. The research helps to understand the problems better and find solutions.

Another important thing is that social work topics to research should be associated with the practice. Theoretical knowledge can’t be completed without a practical part. The research proposal topic should bring specific evidence, functional arguments, and tangible benefits. Your social work research topics should be revolutionary for the field and align with the latest trends.

research in social work

What Makes Qualitative Research Topics in Social Work Outstanding

Composing a proposal is essential if you need to conduct investigations in a particular field. Social work research proposals are required to outline your plan to study a specific area. In the research proposal, you should demonstrate impeccable knowledge of the field’s fundamental problems and an understanding of the research question set. It should clearly explain the social work research methods chosen and state the outcomes you expect to get.

The initial step in creating a proposal is finding an appropriate social work research topics ideas. However, selecting an exciting theme among myriads of options may be challenging, even if you narrow the search area. To simplify the process and provide you with the most valuable opportunities, we’ve collected some of the best ideas to inspire you for an excellent research proposal and further work.

Besides having a paper topic list, you may need an example of social work research proposal to complete the task successfully. This sample shows how the text is structured and how the information is distributed among all parts. Just look at how the research question is formulated here and how the author manages it to add more value to their work.

example of social work research proposal

Social Work Research Topics Ideas to Inspire You

Developing worthy scholarly research topics in social work is usually the hardest, especially if people must do it themselves. Without proper experience, it is sometimes difficult to assess the manageability of the study, the relevance, and the availability of supporting materials. To make the task easier, we present you with research topics for social work proposals that will inspire you and give you an idea of what to write a paper about.

  • Preparing Educators for Multiple Settings
  • Evaluation of the Impact of Innovation on Social Workers’ Performance
  • Support Services for Families in Need
  • Peer Service Providers in Addressing Reproductive Health
  • The Major Problems Encountered by Social Workers During Work
  • The Best Inclusive Practices on Education for People with ASD
  • The Impact of Gender Diversity in Schools
  • How Secondary Trauma Affects Adults
  • Importance of Religion in Reducing Stereotypes
  • The Impact of Death on the Collective Well-Being of the Family
  • How Does Evidence-Based Practice Influence Life-Long Learning?
  • How Homelessness Impacts People’s Psyche
  • The Best Social Inclusion Strategies for War Victims
  • Strategies to Support Single Parents
  • The Effect and Consequences of Mis- and Undiagnosed Mental Illnesses
  • The Cultural Importance of Generation Gap
  • Significance of Family Support as a Possible Way of Alcohol Recovery
  • The Impact of Alcohol on the Psychology of a Person
  • Proper Ways to Breed Love in Foster Care

Most of the ideas in this social work research topics list have a solid research base that you can use to conduct a detailed literature review and develop your own arguments. Reinventing the wheel is good practice, but the ability to find a worthwhile solution by examining an exciting question from a different perspective is just as good.

Controversial Social Work Research Topics List

As with different fields and areas, many paper topics relate to problems, situations, and cases that are worth discussing but often glossed over. Violence, trauma, and stigmatization are just a few examples of such issues that would seem better suited for psychology research proposals . However, these issues are no less important to consider in the social work context.

  • Exploration of the Effect of Poverty on Children’s Mental Health
  • The Impact of Student Loans on Learners Motivation and Well-Being
  • Helping Sexually Exploited Children
  • The Common Types of Elder Abuse and Ways to Prevent Them
  • The Major Stigma Associated With People Who Have Depression
  • Therapy and Support Groups for Welfare Workers
  • Coping With Imprisonment Stigma
  • Coping Strategies of Men During Violence at Home
  • Social Inclusion Measures for War Veterans
  • The Essence of Welfare Work Sector Diversity
  • What Are Disability and the Stigma Enveloping It?
  • Identifying the Practices Considered Neglecting Children
  • The Connection Between Divorce and the Health and Lifestyle of Children
  • Psychological Violence and Damages It Causes
  • Ways to Identify Trauma in the Workplace
  • Ways to Improve Living Standards in Foster Homes
  • Counteracting Bullying Aimed At Dyslexic Children
  • Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Community Wellbeing
  • Effects of Misdiagnosis of Mental Illness
  • How Home Violence Impacts Children
  • Challenges Faced by Minority Children at Their Foster Homes
  • Social Problems of ASD Children
  • Research of Social Reacts to Euthanasia
  • Undiagnosed Depression and How Family Exacerbates It
  • Ways to Control Addiction at Various Stages
  • Psychological Impacts of Child Trafficking
  • Sustainability of Wellness Therapy
  • Teenage Pregnancy Impact on Teenage Mothers
  • Negative Impact of Conversion Therapy Negatively on the LGBTQ+ Community
  • Spousal Violence and How to Address It

Research Topics for Social Work Students Who Want to Go Far

What do you want to achieve with your social work research proposal? Is it a common assignment you just need to handle, or will this project mark the beginning of your path to effectively helping people? Think about this when selecting a research proposal sociology topic, and consider choosing something that resonates with you personally.

  • Risks of Drug Abuse Among Adolescents From Disadvantaged Families
  • Negative Effects of Abusive Parenting
  • Investigation and Prevention Causes of Child Abuse in Orphanages
  • How Does Domestic Violence Affect a Family
  • The Strategies Put in Place to Encourage Women to Report GBV
  • A Study of Dealing With Dyslexia as an Adolescent
  • Trafficking: The Impacts of It on the Social Well-Being of a Society
  • Vulnerability to Drugs and Ways to Help Drug Addicts
  • Clinical Depression and Undiagnosed Depression
  • Therapy for Underrepresented Groups and Its Importance in Reducing Discrimination
  • The Dangers of Confinement and Why It Should Be Looked Into
  • The Challenges of Hurricanes in Low-Income Neighborhoods
  • Ways for PTSD Patients to Receive Inclusive Support
  • Gender Roles and Cultural Beliefs and Their Impact on Marriages
  • The Practice of Resilience Amongst Social Workers
  • The Protest Against Police Brutality
  • Sponsorship Impact on the Lives of Recovering Addicts
  • The Impacts of Constant Mobility on the Lives of Orphaned Toddlers
  • The Ways Physical Abuse Affects Spousal Intimacy
  • An Importance of Encouraging More Flexible Social Structures for Disabled People
  • The Greatest Risk of Fetal Alcohol Exposure
  • Transition to Social Work From Previous Employment
  • The Global Poverty of Modern Human Services
  • The Best Way to Establish a High School Service-Learning Program
  • How Mass Media Affects Educational Development
  • Factors Leading To Children’s Neglection in Society
  • The Effect of Mass Media on Childhood Socialization
  • The Best Autism Care Practices
  • The Generation Gap and Effect on Culture
  • How Family Cruelty Impacts Lives
  • Factors Contributing to Family Violence

To find more paper topic ideas, check out the social work research topics pdf and pick something to inspire yourself.

pdf icon

Download Here More Social Science Research Proposal Ideas!

What else does the choice of research topics for social work students affect?

  • Data Collection and Analysis

Ensure your chosen proposal topic has enough materials to create a solid theoretical framework. Also, it often influences research methodology. For example, by selecting a qualitative research topic in social work, you should be prepared to organize focus groups, develop questionnaires, etc.

  • The Whole Work Process

A social work research proposal is just a plan for your work during the next several years. If you choose a paper topic that doesn’t interest you, you risk burnout and failing to earn the desired degree.

  • The Outcome and Research Success

Most research topics in social work are related to significant problems humanity faces. Thus, your proposal ideas should be practicable and relevant. They also should have measurable outcomes and lead to improvements in your field.

Let Experts Help with Social Work Research Proposals Preparation

The selection of research topics social work is only a part of the process. Next, you will need to collect and analyze available materials, design your own research, and cope with it, which may not be easy. Luckily, our seasoned proposal writing experts can help you not only with great inspirational ideas but also with their realization in the paper. No matter how complex and comprehensive your qualitative research topics in social work are, there are field-related PhD researchers to support you. Just provide us with the needed requirements and research materials, if any, and enjoy your well-written proposal paper delivered soon!

Why wait any longer? Get full-service assistance with social work research paper topics from PhD experts in your field!

work research topics

Upload Files

Thank you for your request!

We will get in touch with you shortly!

Please, try one more time.

ct-logo

social work research topics: Empowering Communities to Social Justice

Are you searching for social work research topics? If yes, then your search ends here with the best ever guide on social work research topics in 2023.

Research plays a crucial role in the field of social work, providing valuable insights and evidence to inform and improve practice. It is through research that social workers can gain a deeper understanding of the issues they address, develop effective interventions, and advocate for social change. Therefore, selecting appropriate research topics is of paramount importance in advancing the knowledge and impact of social work.

Importance of research in social work:

Table of Contents

Research plays a vital role in the field of social work and holds significant importance for several reasons:

Evidence-based practice

Research provides a foundation for evidence-based practice in social work. It generates knowledge and evidence about effective interventions, strategies, and approaches that can improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. By basing their practice on research findings, social workers can ensure that their interventions are grounded in evidence and have a higher likelihood of success.

Informed decision-making

Research equips social workers with the necessary information to make informed decisions about interventions, policies, and resource allocation. It helps them understand the social issues, trends, and challenges faced by the populations they serve. Research findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the root causes of social problems, enabling social workers to develop more targeted and effective interventions.

Social justice and advocacy

Research in social work often focuses on addressing social injustices and advocating for marginalized populations. It helps shed light on disparities, discrimination, and inequality, providing evidence to support advocacy efforts and policy change. Research findings can be used to advocate for social justice, influence policy development, and challenge systemic barriers that impede the well-being of vulnerable individuals and communities.

Professional development and growth

Engaging in research allows social workers to develop their skills, knowledge, and expertise. Research experience enhances critical thinking, data analysis, and evaluation skills. It enables social workers to stay updated with the latest research and evidence in their field, contributing to their professional development and promoting continuous learning.

Contribution to the field

Research conducted by social workers contributes to the overall body of knowledge in the field of social work. It adds to the existing literature, fills gaps in knowledge, and provides insights into emerging issues and trends. Through research, social workers contribute to the growth and advancement of the profession, influencing practice, policy, and education.

Overall, research is essential in social work as it fosters evidence-based practice, informs decision-making, supports social justice and advocacy, promotes professional development, and contributes to the field’s knowledge base. By embracing research, social workers can enhance their effectiveness, improve outcomes for clients, and create meaningful social change.

Purpose of selecting appropriate research topics:

The purpose of selecting appropriate research topics in social work is multifaceted and serves several important functions:

Addressing knowledge gaps

Selecting appropriate research topics allows social work researchers to identify areas where there is a lack of knowledge or understanding. By exploring these gaps, researchers can contribute new insights, theories, and evidence to the field. Research topics are chosen with the intention of filling these gaps and expanding the knowledge base of social work.

Informing practice and policy

Research topics are selected to inform social work practice and policy. By conducting research in areas relevant to social work practice, researchers can generate evidence-based findings that guide interventions, inform decision-making, and shape policy development. Selecting appropriate research topics ensures that the research has practical relevance and can directly impact the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

Advancing social justice

Research topics in social work are often chosen with the goal of promoting social justice. They focus on addressing social inequalities, discrimination, and injustices experienced by marginalized populations. By selecting research topics that center on social justice issues, researchers can shed light on systemic barriers, advocate for change, and contribute to the empowerment and well-being of disadvantaged groups.

Contributing to theory development

Selecting appropriate research topics allows for the advancement of social work theory. Researchers can explore and develop new theoretical frameworks, conceptual models, and explanatory theories. By selecting topics that align with theoretical gaps or require theoretical advancements, researchers contribute to the theoretical underpinnings of social work and enhance the understanding of social work phenomena.

Building on existing knowledge

Research topics are chosen with the purpose of building on existing knowledge and expanding the understanding of specific social work phenomena. Researchers review existing literature, identify gaps or limitations, and select topics that build on previous studies. This ensures that research is cumulative and contributes to the continuous growth of knowledge in the field.

In summary, selecting appropriate research topics in social work serves the purpose of addressing knowledge gaps, informing practice and policy, advancing social justice, contributing to theory development, and building on existing knowledge. By selecting relevant and meaningful research topics, social work researchers can make significant contributions to the field and create positive impacts on individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole.

social work research topics

Have a close look at social work research topics.

Individual and Family Social Work

Have a close look at individual and family social work.

Mental health interventions for at-risk youth:

  • The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in reducing anxiety and depression among at-risk youth.
  • Examining the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on the resilience and well-being of at-risk youth.
  • Exploring the role of family therapy in addressing the mental health needs of at-risk youth and promoting positive family dynamics.

Effects of domestic violence on children’s well-being

  • Long-term effects of exposure to domestic violence on children’s mental health and development.
  • Understanding the intergenerational transmission of violence and its impact on children’s future relationships.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of trauma-focused interventions in mitigating the negative effects of domestic violence on children’s well-being.

Strategies for supporting families affected by substance abuse

  • Assessing the effectiveness of integrated treatment approaches for families dealing with substance abuse and its impact on parental functioning and child welfare.
  • Examining the role of support groups and peer networks in promoting recovery and strengthening family resilience.
  • Exploring the impact of preventive interventions and early intervention programs in reducing substance abuse-related harm to families and children.

By researching and studying these topics in individual and family social work, social workers can gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by at-risk youth, children exposed to domestic violence, and families affected by substance abuse.

This knowledge can inform the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions, policies, and support services that aim to improve the well-being and outcomes for individuals and families in these vulnerable populations.

Community and Organizational Social Work

Have a close look at community and organizational social work.

Assessing the effectiveness of community development programs

  • Evaluating the outcomes and impacts of community development initiatives in improving socio-economic conditions, community empowerment, and social cohesion.
  • Examining the role of community participation and engagement in the success of development programs.
  • Identifying the factors that facilitate or hinder the sustainability of community development efforts and their long-term impact on communities.

Impact of social media on community engagement and activism

  • Investigating the role of social media platforms in mobilizing and organizing community members for social causes and activism.
  • Exploring the potential of social media as a tool for amplifying marginalized voices and promoting social justice.
  • Examining the ethical considerations and challenges associated with using social media in community engagement and activism.

Evaluation of non-profit organizations’ effectiveness in addressing social issues

  • Assessing the impact and outcomes of non-profit organizations’ interventions in specific social issue areas, such as poverty alleviation, education, or healthcare.
  • Examining the factors that contribute to the effectiveness and sustainability of non-profit organizations in achieving their mission and goals.
  • Identifying best practices and strategies for enhancing the efficiency and impact of non-profit organizations in addressing social issues.

Researching these topics in community and organizational social work can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of community development programs, the role of social media in community engagement and activism, and the impact of non-profit organizations in addressing social issues.

Findings from these studies can inform the design and implementation of more impactful interventions, guide policy development, and enhance the effectiveness of community-based organizations and initiatives.

Social Policy and Advocacy

Have a close look at social policy and advocacy.

The influence of policy on access to mental health services:

  • Examining the impact of healthcare policies on the availability, affordability, and quality of mental health services.
  • Analyzing the barriers and disparities in accessing mental health services among different populations, such as low-income individuals, racial/ethnic minorities, or rural communities.
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of policy interventions and reforms in improving access to mental health services and reducing mental health disparities.

Advocacy for affordable housing and homelessness prevention

  • Investigating the relationship between housing affordability, homelessness rates , and social policies.
  • Examining the effectiveness of housing policies and programs in preventing homelessness and promoting stable housing for vulnerable populations.
  • Exploring the role of advocacy and community organizing in influencing housing policies and addressing the root causes of homelessness.

Impact of immigration policies on social integration and well-being

  • Assessing the effects of immigration policies on the social, economic, and mental health outcomes of immigrant populations.
  • Analyzing the role of social policies in promoting or hindering the social integration of immigrants and their access to essential services.
  • Examining the impact of immigration policies on the well-being and rights of undocumented immigrants and their families.

Researching these topics in social policy and advocacy provides insights into the influence of policies on access to mental health services, the importance of affordable housing advocacy, and the impact of immigration policies on social integration.

Findings from these studies can inform policy discussions, advocacy efforts, and the development of more inclusive and equitable policies that address social issues and promote social justice.

Diversity and Cultural Competence

Have a close look at diversity and cultural competence.

Cultural factors influencing mental health help-seeking behaviors

  • Exploring the impact of cultural beliefs, values, and stigma on individuals’ willingness to seek mental health support.
  • Examining cultural variations in help-seeking behaviors and attitudes towards mental health services.
  • Identifying strategies to promote culturally sensitive mental health services and reduce barriers to help-seeking among diverse populations.

Promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity in social work practice

  • Assessing the unique challenges and needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in accessing social services and support.
  • Examining the role of cultural competence and LGBTQ+ affirmative practice in social work interventions.
  • Identifying best practices and strategies for creating inclusive and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ individuals within social work settings.

Addressing disparities in healthcare access for marginalized communities

  • Investigating the social determinants of health that contribute to healthcare disparities among marginalized populations.
  • Analyzing the impact of structural inequalities, such as race, socioeconomic status, and immigration status, on healthcare access and outcomes.
  • Exploring interventions and policies aimed at reducing healthcare disparities and promoting equitable access to healthcare services.

Researching these topics in the context of diversity and cultural competence helps social workers better understand the cultural factors influencing mental health help-seeking behaviors, advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and address healthcare disparities for marginalized communities.

This knowledge can inform the development of culturally responsive interventions, policies, and services that promote equity, inclusivity, and improved outcomes for diverse populations.

Social Justice and Human Rights

Have a close look at social justice and human rights.

Examining racial disparities in the criminal justice system

  • Analyzing the disproportionate representation of racial and ethnic minorities within the criminal justice system.
  • Investigating the factors contributing to racial disparities in arrests, sentencing, and incarceration rates.
  • Exploring the impact of implicit bias and systemic racism on the criminal justice system and its implications for social justice.

Strategies for combating human trafficking and modern slavery

  • Assessing the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs aimed at combating human trafficking and supporting survivors.
  • Examining the role of legal frameworks, policies, and international cooperation in addressing human trafficking.
  • Identifying best practices and approaches for raising awareness, supporting victims, and holding perpetrators accountable.

Intersectionality and its implications for social work practice

  • Understanding the interconnectedness of social identities (such as race, gender, class, and sexuality) and their impact on individuals’ experiences of oppression and privilege.
  • Examining the role of intersectionality in shaping social inequalities and the need for inclusive and intersectional approaches in social work practice.
  • Exploring strategies for incorporating intersectional perspectives into assessment, intervention, and advocacy efforts within social work practice.

Researching these topics in the context of social justice and human rights helps social workers gain a deeper understanding of racial disparities in the criminal justice system, develop effective strategies to combat human trafficking, and apply intersectional approaches to social work practice.

This knowledge can inform advocacy efforts, policy development, and the promotion of social justice, equality, and human rights for all individuals and communities.

Social Work Education and Practice

Have a close look at social work education and practice.

Effectiveness of trauma-informed care in social work settings

  • Assessing the impact of trauma-informed care approaches on client outcomes and well-being.
  • Examining the implementation and integration of trauma-informed practices within social work settings.
  • Identifying best practices and strategies for training social workers in trauma-informed care.

Assessing the impact of technology on social work practice

  • Investigating the role of technology in enhancing service delivery, client engagement, and communication in social work practice.
  • Examining the ethical and privacy considerations associated with the use of technology in social work.
  • Identifying challenges and opportunities for integrating technology into social work education and practice.

Ethical considerations in social work research and practice

  • Exploring ethical dilemmas and challenges faced by social workers in their practice.
  • Examining ethical decision-making frameworks and principles in social work research and practice.
  • Investigating the impact of cultural and contextual factors on ethical considerations and practices in social work.

Researching these topics in social work education and practice helps advance the field by examining the effectiveness of trauma-informed care, understanding the impact of technology on social work practice, and addressing ethical considerations.

Findings from these studies can inform curriculum development, practice guidelines, and policy development, leading to improved service delivery, ethical decision-making, and enhanced outcomes for clients and communities.

Research plays a crucial role in advancing social work practice by generating knowledge, informing interventions, and addressing social issues. Through research, social workers gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of human behavior, social systems, and the impact of interventions on individuals, families, and communities. In this blog post, we have explored various research topics across different domains of social work.

By investigating topics such as individual and family social work, community and organizational social work, social policy and advocacy, diversity and cultural competence, social justice and human rights, and social work education and practice, social workers can contribute to the growth and development of the profession. These research topics offer opportunities to address societal challenges, promote social change, and advocate for marginalized populations.

Continued exploration and innovation in social work research are essential to keep pace with the evolving needs of individuals and communities. As social workers engage in rigorous and thoughtful research, they can contribute to evidence-based practices, policy development, and systemic change. By addressing the complex and interconnected issues faced by society, social work research can make a tangible impact on the well-being and empowerment of individuals and communities.

It is important for social workers, researchers, and educators to embrace a collaborative approach, actively seek new research topics, and encourage interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance the effectiveness and relevance of social work practice. By fostering a culture of research and evidence-based practice, the field of social work can continue to evolve, adapt, and address the diverse needs of individuals and communities in an ever-changing world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is research important in social work.

Research is important in social work because it helps generate knowledge and evidence that inform effective interventions, policies, and practices. It allows social workers to understand the complexities of human behavior, social systems, and the impact of their work.

How do I choose a research topic in social work?

When choosing a research topic in social work, consider your interests, passions, and the areas you want to contribute to. Reflect on the social issues or populations you are passionate about.

How can research in social work contribute to social justice?

Research in social work can contribute to social justice by identifying and addressing inequalities, advocating for marginalized populations, and promoting evidence-based interventions and policies.

What ethical considerations should I keep in mind when conducting social work research?

Ethical considerations in social work research include obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring confidentiality and privacy, minimizing harm to participants, addressing power imbalances, and maintaining cultural sensitivity and respect.

How can research findings in social work be applied to practice?

Research findings in social work can be applied to practice by informing evidence-based interventions, shaping service delivery models, and influencing policy and advocacy efforts.

Similar Articles

How To Improve Grade

Top 19 Tips & Tricks On How To Improve Grades?

Do you want to improve your grades? If yes, then don’t worry! In this blog, I have provided 19 tips…

How To Do Homework Fast

How To Do Homework Fast – 11 Tips To Do Homework Fast

Homework is one of the most important parts that have to be done by students. It has been around for…

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

UM-Flint Home

TODAY'S HOURS:

Research Topic Ideas

  • Picking a Topic
  • Area & Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Behavioral & Social Sciences
  • Business, Economics, & Management
  • Current Events and Controversial Issues

Education Topics

Social work topics.

  • Health Sciences
  • Natural and Physical Sciences

Related Guides

  • Research Process by Liz Svoboda Last Updated Mar 1, 2024 6815 views this year
  • Ability grouping
  • Adaptive physical education
  • Bilingual education
  • Blended learning
  • Boarding schools
  • Career counseling
  • Charter schools
  • Collaborative learning
  • Common Core
  • Community immersion
  • Computer literacy
  • Computer-assisted instruction
  • Dual enrollment programs
  • Early childhood education
  • Flipped classroom
  • Gender-segregated education
  • Home schooling
  • Information literacy
  • Kalamazoo Promise
  • Learning styles
  • Merit pay for teachers
  • Multiculturalism
  • Multiple intelligences
  • No Child Left Behind
  • Online education
  • Outcomes-based education
  • Parental involvement
  • Peer counseling
  • Race to the Top
  • Retention policies
  • School choice
  • School schedule reform
  • School to work programs
  • Sex education
  • Standardized testing
  • STEAM vs STEM
  • Teacher unions
  • Technology integration
  • Violence in schools
  • Virtual classrooms
  • Whole brain teaching
  • Zero tolerance policy

Related subject guide and suggested database

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

U-M login required

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
  • Higher education, including junior colleges
  • Second-language learning
  • Special education
  • Teacher education
  • Tests, measurement, & evaluation

Many ERIC Documents are online in ERIC, and older ones are available on microfiche on the 1st floor of the Thompson Library.  

  • Affordable Care Act
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Conversion therapy
  • Early intervention programs
  • Elder abuse
  • Family caregiving
  • Foster care
  • Gender pay gap
  • Grief counseling
  • Human trafficking
  • Informal economy
  • Interracial adoption
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Juvenile justice system
  • Mental illness
  • Mentoring program
  • Nutrition assistance programs
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • People with disabilities
  • Restorative community programs
  • Sexual assault; Sexual harassment
  • Social justice
  • Substance abuse
  • Welfare reform
  • Social Work: A Guide to Library Research by Paul Streby Last Updated Mar 1, 2024 350 views this year

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.

  • << Previous: Current Events and Controversial Issues
  • Next: Health Sciences >>
  • Last Updated: Mar 1, 2024 1:06 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.umflint.edu/topics

logo

140 Amazing Social Work Research Topics for Students

Table of Contents

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.

Top Social Work Research Topics

  • What is the role of a social worker in end-of-life decisions?
  • Explain how social workers can prevent school dropout.
  • Discuss the influence of adolescence’s physical changes on the psyche of children.
  • Analyze the impact of media on preschool behavior.
  • What are the effects of parents’ drug use on their children?
  • Describe the role of social work in helping students to build their value system.
  • Explain how to prevent stereotypes related to depression.
  • Write about the historical development of social work.
  • Analyze the effect of being a workaholic on the family.
  • Explain the causes and prevention of youth recidivism.
  • Discuss the effects of bullying on preschool students.
  • Describe the role of social workers in preventing teenage pregnancies.
  • A study on women who have sexually addictive spouses.
  • Explain the role of social workers in handling children with disabilities.
  • Analyze the risks of HIV among women.
  • Measures to counteract condemning stereotypes with regard to depression (explaining and highlighting the biological mechanisms underlying it)
  • General Considerations for working with children with developmental disabilities
  • Most efficient re-education strategies
  • Attitudes of correctional officers towards the mental health of incarcerated individuals.
  • The significance of group therapy at foster homes.
  • Absence of child support and its impact on child care in America.
  • The social displacement of Autistic children.
  • Effect of clinical depression on adolescent children.

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.

work research topics

Related Post

Religious Research Paper Topics

220 Amazing Religious Research Paper Topics and Ideas

Research Proposal

Read and Understand How to Write a Research Proposal

Controversial Research Topics

100+ Controversial Research Topics and Ideas to Focus On

About author.

' src=

Jacob Smith

I am an Academic Writer and have affection to share my knowledge through posts’. I do not feel tiredness while research and analyzing the things. Sometime, I write down hundred of research topics as per the students requirements. I want to share solution oriented content to the students.

Comments are closed.

  • Featured Posts

140 Unique Geology Research Topics to Focus On

200+ outstanding world history topics and ideas 2023, 190 excellent ap research topics and ideas, 150+ trending group discussion topics and ideas, 170 funny speech topics to blow the minds of audience, who invented exams learn the history of examination, how to focus on reading 15 effective tips for better concentration, what is a rhetorical analysis essay and how to write it, primary school teacher in australia- eligibility, job role, career options, and salary, 4 steps to build a flawless business letter format, get help instantly.

Raise Your Grades with Assignment Help Pro

Essay Assignment Writing Tips for Students of MBA, Masters, PhD Level

Text for Mobile

145+ Best Social Work Research Topics and Ideas to Use

What is the best research topic in social work.

Social work research determines and addresses various community problems and explains all the possible solutions as well as new innovations to improve services. Topics can range from mental health, poverty or substantial abuse. How do you develop an interesting social work topic and potential areas to discuss in your research? Don’t worry; this blog from our online research paper writing service covers your concerns. The blog post will provide some social work research paper topics and ideas that you can consider for your social work research.

Social Work Research Topics

What Are Social Work Research Topics?

Any Social work research ideas are systematic investigations of the issues that pertain to any social work field. It can also be defined as the application of research methods for addressing various problems faced by social workers in their practices.

The majority of the research topics include a study of the concepts, principles, and theories, as well as the underlying methods like the employee skills and interactions with the groups or individuals as an internal process.

Social work focuses on practical applications, and your research aims to properly understand the efficacy of various intervention methods to reduce people’s suffering. Our team has subject matter experts to offer affordable online case study reports in social work .

Where to Find the Finest Research Topics on Social Work?

The finest research topics for social networks can be the basic textbooks that are used in social work courses in social work research topics. A variation exists between the textbooks on any topic.

Some of these are comprehensive and indulge in the topics very deeply and on a more advanced level. This variation is due to the different needs for relevant instruction at graduate and undergraduate education levels of social work education.

Most of the instructors at the undergraduate levels of education prefer simpler and shorter text. However, some of them teach at higher education levels and prefer bigger tests.

Other spaces are as follows:

  • Scholarly articles

Chat Now

Tips on How to Choose a Social Work Topic Selection

  • Skim through the literate study like course notes or handbooks that you have already studied. It would help if you went through it to visualize all your studied topics or even the sub-topics. You can also share your new ideas here.
  • Brainstorming can help you a lot in this process. Here, you can access your basic knowledge and get a few interesting educational topics that are stored in your mind to explore later in detail.
  • You can browse through the already published article topics in various social work journals. You can also study the newsletters on social websites. You can also search on the platforms for field-related news from many journals. Even if some of the article topics can be a bit complicated, these can be a good choice for you.
  • Browse the online data to find good research topics for your research paper writing . By skimming through these lists, you can get more topics with good copes. The broadness of these topics will bombard you with new related ideas.

Any good social work research topic covers all the modern trends as well as incorporeal male ideas in the social work field. The topic also needs to break the specific stereotypes by using relevant evidence.

Different peer-viewed studies should also support it.

Related Service To Research Paper

List of best social work research topics and ideas, controversial topics in social work.

  • Can euthanasia be justified?
  • Substance abuse in adolescents
  • How to deal with drug abuses in orphanages
  • Which Societal groups are the most vulnerable to substance abuse?
  • How to reduce recidivism with family support
  • How imprisonment affects mental health.
  • What is the ethical issue related to human trafficking?
  • Issues of gender differentiation in modern society
  • Juvenile delinquents vs reeducation strategies
  • Whose role is it to develop resilience in social work?

Check the mind-blowing list of the Top  140+ Controversial Research Topics for Students to Consider

Hot topics in social work.

  • Domestic violence among children vs teenagers
  • How to encourage women to report domestic violence
  • How to save families from domestic valence
  • Is it justified to change a child from his setting?
  • Effect of child negligence in life and career
  • How to provide testimony in a court by a social worker
  • How to invoke social work in the healthcare field
  • Grief consoling for families losing a loved one
  • How to relieve grief symptoms
  • How to help pains of domestic violence
  • Risk factors associated with deep grief

Best Social Work Research Topics Ideas

  • Importee of group therapy in children
  • Ill effects of less child support
  • Effects of clinical depression
  • Impact of ADHD in foster homes related to kids
  • Effects of continued mobility in the lives of orphaned kids
  • The best counselling session for people suffering from PTSD
  • Best social relegation for children with autism
  • How to address stigma related to disability
  • How does diabetes affect the lives of middle-aged parents?
  • Bad effects on the lives of children living on the streets
  • How does homelessness affect people’s psyche?

Academic Writing Services

Social Work Thesis Topics

  • Effect of alcoholic buses and excessive alcoholism in society
  • How to arrange for a good family counselling session to prevent alcoholism
  • How to analyze the trauma associated with parent-child separation
  • Analyze substantial abuses in society
  • ADHD vs Dyslexia- compare and contrast
  • How parent’s divorce affects the life of children
  • Define the uses of anti-depressants among people of different age groups
  • How to take care of children suffering from downs syndrome
  • The death of a family member affects the mental health and lifestyle of a family
  • How to generate awareness for the Dyslexic patients in the society

Social Work Dissertation Topics

  • How can domestic violence survivors get better job opportunities?
  • A study of females with sexual addiction
  • Reintegration of the rape survivors within the society
  • How to prevent juvenile recidivism
  • How to give proper juvenile justice
  • Examples of great women world leaders
  • Should health services be provided to immigrants?
  • Best housing options for the economically challenged people of society
  • Challenges of providing proper medical care to the senior citizens
  • Position of the HIV positive people in today’s society
  • Is customer satisfaction the ultimate goal of any business?
  • How Climatic Change Affects Social Work
  • Role of home care workers in our society
  • Why do people still hesitate to talk about sex?
  • Is sex education needed?

Choosing the Perfect  Top 250+ Dissertation Topics & Ideas in 2023

Captivating social work research ideas.

  • Role of Social Worker in Making end End-of-life Decisions
  • Effect of adolescence’s physical changes on the psyche of kids
  • How social work can help in preventing school and college dropouts
  • Effect of media on kids’ preschool behaviour
  • Effect of parents’ drug abuses on children
  • How the social workers can help in building the life and career of kids
  • Describe how to prevent stereotypes related to depression.
  • How social work deepen historically
  • Pros and cons of being an alcoholic
  • Cause and prevention of youth recidivism
  • Effect of bullying on students
  • How can social workers help in preventing teenage pregnancies?

Innovative Social Work Research Paper Topics

  • Preparing Educators for Multiple Settings
  • Support Services for Families in Need
  • Evaluation of the Impact of Innovation on Social Workers’ Performance
  • How to give the best support serves to the families in need
  • Social service to address Reproductive Health
  • The main issues faced by social workers while working
  • How to educate people having ASD
  • Issus of gender differentiation at school levels
  • How trump effect the adults and children
  • How can religion reduce stereotypes?
  • Effect of death on the family members
  • Can Evidence-Based Practice Affect life-long Learning?
  • Homelessness affects people’s psyche

Social Work Research Topics for Literature Review

  • How can the Multi-Agency Working protect children’s rights?
  • Role of Therapists in preventing child Abuse and addressing them
  • How to address kids who have gone through trauma
  • Causes and preventives of Recidivism
  • Role of social worker towards the school teachers
  • How the Adolescence Physical Changes affect children’s psychology
  • Reintegration in society for abuse survivors
  • Roe of social services to help students bond their own value systems
  • Role of social workers within the health care practitioners
  • How to cope with Intrinsic Cultural Perspectives
  • Explain the process of holding back

Engaging Social Work Research Ideas

  • Effect of unwanted pregnancy on teenage mothers
  • The pros and cons of social media effects on young minds
  • Explain all the welfare systems in the lives of low-income people
  • Explain the importance of various rehabilitation centres
  • How do cultural beliefs play a role in marriages?
  • Explain various labour laws related to social services
  • How the rising home costs affecting the lives of individuals and families
  • Explain the pros and cons related to abortion laws
  • Explain the sustainability of wellness therapies
  • How the birth control roles affect our society
  • Explain how the general community, teenagers and school are interrelated
  • Explain the impact of first-time menstrual experiences among teenage girls

Human Service Social Work Research Topics

  • Discuss various issues involved with juvenile justice
  • How to deal with homeless people
  • How to prevent bullying of physically disabled children
  • Explain the pre-natal as well as post-natal care for the surrogate mothers
  • Explain the increasing suicide among military personnel
  • How to improve the lives of sexually exploited children
  • How to add the dyslexia cases
  • Effect of interracial adopting all across the globe
  • How to build proper resilience by the social workers
  • What are the causes of child abuse in the orphanages?
  • What are the ethical issues involved with human trafficking

Learn about  Human Resources Research Topics

Social work capstone project ideas.

  • How can music heal a soul?
  • How to deal with pediatric mental health
  • Effect on chided by high conflict divorces
  • Explain autonomous self-care
  • Meta practices at the bachelor level
  • Explain Black Lives Matter (BLM)

Social Work Topics for Discussion

  • Community-Oriented Policing
  • How to teach anti-racism practices
  • How to reverse the wheel of oppression
  • Coping with trauma disorder cases
  • Explain Perinatal Substance Use Disorders
  • Explain the history of racial trauma of black people

Best Social Work Essay Topics

  • How to meet the Psychosocial Needs of online learners over social media
  • Leadership future of social workers
  • How the organizational leaders can play a role in employee self-care
  • Does racism also play a role in the life and work of social workers?
  • How to cope with active suicide rates
  • How to address Juvenile Sexual Offending
  • What are the keys to solving deep-rooted social issues?

Also, Check –  120+ Unique Evaluation Essay Topics and Ideas

Social work topics for presentation.

  • How addiction is changing the world
  • Elder abuses in the USA
  • Influence of homosexuality in the modern society
  • Is gender a definitive thing- explain
  • Invasive vs Passive Interventions
  • How to obliterate gender pay gaps
  • Are domestic abuses also applicable to men?
  • Effect of rape and sexual abuses on human development
  • How to treat the most Vulnerable Inhabitants of the society
  • Explain the Naturalization of Human Needs
  • Are hard work and modern music leading to more drug abuses
  • Role of politics to shape any society

Thus, writing an effective research paper on social work is a tedious task. Therefore, you always need the best online Social Work Research Paper Writing Help from a reliable provider. The casestudyhelp.com is always the best choice for you.

Why Choose Casestudyhelp.com?

  • We are the number one Social Work Research Help provider
  • Our team provides top-quality Social Work Research Paper
  • We will provide you with the most common social work research questions
  • You can get an idea from our online social work research examples
  • The social work research proposal provided by our Case Study Help Expert team will help you a lot

Thus, could you register with us very soon?

Author Bio:

Louis Hill

Hi, I am Louis Hill, the author of this blog. I am a well-experienced academic writer. We’ll help make your writing shine.

Please get in touch with us anytime, tell us about your topic, and get a 100% plagiarism-free paper with impeccable grammar and formatting.

View All Post

Best Economics Research Topics and Ideas for Student

181+ latest case study topics for students to think about, example list of business research topics ideas for students, 130+ best informative essay topics for students, 265+ good conclusion starters for the final paragraph.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

  • Knowledge Base
  • Starting the research process

A Beginner's Guide to Starting the Research Process

Research process steps

When you have to write a thesis or dissertation , it can be hard to know where to begin, but there are some clear steps you can follow.

The research process often begins with a very broad idea for a topic you’d like to know more about. You do some preliminary research to identify a  problem . After refining your research questions , you can lay out the foundations of your research design , leading to a proposal that outlines your ideas and plans.

This article takes you through the first steps of the research process, helping you narrow down your ideas and build up a strong foundation for your research project.

Table of contents

Step 1: choose your topic, step 2: identify a problem, step 3: formulate research questions, step 4: create a research design, step 5: write a research proposal, other interesting articles.

First you have to come up with some ideas. Your thesis or dissertation topic can start out very broad. Think about the general area or field you’re interested in—maybe you already have specific research interests based on classes you’ve taken, or maybe you had to consider your topic when applying to graduate school and writing a statement of purpose .

Even if you already have a good sense of your topic, you’ll need to read widely to build background knowledge and begin narrowing down your ideas. Conduct an initial literature review to begin gathering relevant sources. As you read, take notes and try to identify problems, questions, debates, contradictions and gaps. Your aim is to narrow down from a broad area of interest to a specific niche.

Make sure to consider the practicalities: the requirements of your programme, the amount of time you have to complete the research, and how difficult it will be to access sources and data on the topic. Before moving onto the next stage, it’s a good idea to discuss the topic with your thesis supervisor.

>>Read more about narrowing down a research topic

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

  • Academic style
  • Vague sentences
  • Style consistency

See an example

work research topics

So you’ve settled on a topic and found a niche—but what exactly will your research investigate, and why does it matter? To give your project focus and purpose, you have to define a research problem .

The problem might be a practical issue—for example, a process or practice that isn’t working well, an area of concern in an organization’s performance, or a difficulty faced by a specific group of people in society.

Alternatively, you might choose to investigate a theoretical problem—for example, an underexplored phenomenon or relationship, a contradiction between different models or theories, or an unresolved debate among scholars.

To put the problem in context and set your objectives, you can write a problem statement . This describes who the problem affects, why research is needed, and how your research project will contribute to solving it.

>>Read more about defining a research problem

Next, based on the problem statement, you need to write one or more research questions . These target exactly what you want to find out. They might focus on describing, comparing, evaluating, or explaining the research problem.

A strong research question should be specific enough that you can answer it thoroughly using appropriate qualitative or quantitative research methods. It should also be complex enough to require in-depth investigation, analysis, and argument. Questions that can be answered with “yes/no” or with easily available facts are not complex enough for a thesis or dissertation.

In some types of research, at this stage you might also have to develop a conceptual framework and testable hypotheses .

>>See research question examples

The research design is a practical framework for answering your research questions. It involves making decisions about the type of data you need, the methods you’ll use to collect and analyze it, and the location and timescale of your research.

There are often many possible paths you can take to answering your questions. The decisions you make will partly be based on your priorities. For example, do you want to determine causes and effects, draw generalizable conclusions, or understand the details of a specific context?

You need to decide whether you will use primary or secondary data and qualitative or quantitative methods . You also need to determine the specific tools, procedures, and materials you’ll use to collect and analyze your data, as well as your criteria for selecting participants or sources.

>>Read more about creating a research design

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Finally, after completing these steps, you are ready to complete a research proposal . The proposal outlines the context, relevance, purpose, and plan of your research.

As well as outlining the background, problem statement, and research questions, the proposal should also include a literature review that shows how your project will fit into existing work on the topic. The research design section describes your approach and explains exactly what you will do.

You might have to get the proposal approved by your supervisor before you get started, and it will guide the process of writing your thesis or dissertation.

>>Read more about writing a research proposal

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

  • Sampling methods
  • Simple random sampling
  • Stratified sampling
  • Cluster sampling
  • Likert scales
  • Reproducibility

 Statistics

  • Null hypothesis
  • Statistical power
  • Probability distribution
  • Effect size
  • Poisson distribution

Research bias

  • Optimism bias
  • Cognitive bias
  • Implicit bias
  • Hawthorne effect
  • Anchoring bias
  • Explicit bias

Is this article helpful?

Other students also liked.

  • Writing Strong Research Questions | Criteria & Examples

What Is a Research Design | Types, Guide & Examples

  • How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

More interesting articles

  • 10 Research Question Examples to Guide Your Research Project
  • How to Choose a Dissertation Topic | 8 Steps to Follow
  • How to Define a Research Problem | Ideas & Examples
  • How to Write a Problem Statement | Guide & Examples
  • Relevance of Your Dissertation Topic | Criteria & Tips
  • Research Objectives | Definition & Examples
  • What Is a Fishbone Diagram? | Templates & Examples
  • What Is Root Cause Analysis? | Definition & Examples

Unlimited Academic AI-Proofreading

✔ Document error-free in 5minutes ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

  • Data, AI, & Machine Learning
  • Managing Technology
  • Social Responsibility
  • Workplace, Teams, & Culture
  • AI & Machine Learning

Diversity & Inclusion

  • Big ideas Research Projects
  • Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy
  • Responsible AI
  • Future of the Workforce
  • Future of Leadership
  • All Research Projects
  • AI in Action
  • Most Popular
  • The Truth Behind the Nursing Crisis
  • Work/23: The Big Shift
  • Coaching for the Future-Forward Leader
  • Measuring Culture

Spring 2024 Issue

The spring 2024 issue’s special report looks at how to take advantage of market opportunities in the digital space, and provides advice on building culture and friendships at work; maximizing the benefits of LLMs, corporate venture capital initiatives, and innovation contests; and scaling automation and digital health platform.

  • Past Issues
  • Upcoming Events
  • Video Archive
  • Me, Myself, and AI
  • Three Big Points

MIT Sloan Management Review Logo

Work-Life Balance

Talent management, three things to know about the workplace generation gap.

A survey highlights generational differences in employees’ attitudes and expectations of business’s role in society.

Cynthia E. Clark

Leadership skills, the emotional landscape of leadership.

Researchers have identified six best practices to help leaders better regulate their own and their teams’ emotions.

Benjamin Laker, Natalia Weisz, Vijay Pereira, and Alfredo De Massis

Performance management, flexible and effective: leadership strategies for the hybrid workplace.

Brian Elliott, a presenter at MIT SMR ’s Work/23 symposium, answers questions about going hybrid.

Brian Elliott

The four-day workweek: how to make it work in your organization.

Andrew Barnes, a presenter at MIT SMR ’s Work/23 symposium, answers questions about reducing the length of the workweek.

Andrew Barnes

With burnout on the rise, what can companies do about it.

Microsoft’s Work Trend Index survey reveals a high level of burnout among employees, but there are ways to mitigate it.

Dawn Klinghoffer and Katie Kirkpatrick-Husk

Managing your career, don’t let quiet quitting harm your career.

Rather than quietly disengaging at work, employees should speak up, seek feedback, and strive for excellence.

Josh Bersin

Getting action-oriented about gender and racial equity at work.

Three recent books on workplace sexism and racism highlight concrete actions leaders can take to support diversity.

Ally MacDonald

How far-reaching could the four-day workweek become.

Experiments show that four-day workweeks can help companies trim costs, retain employees, and boost worker well-being.

Benjamin Laker

This new year, resolve against workaholism.

Workaholic behavior can damage organizations and teams; managers can take steps to help employees attain better balance.

Thomas Kelemen and Michael Matthews

Could psychedelics open new doors for science and business.

A new wave of clinical research on promising uses for psychedelic drugs points to potential opportunities for business.

Alyson Meister, Kaja Oppegaard, Eric Grotefeld, and Cyril Bouquet

Cutting parental leave is bad business.

Recent surveys support the creation of a national paid family leave insurance system to keep caregivers in the workforce.

Mental Health Has Become a Business Imperative

Taking a holistic approach to supporting employee mental health improves business, talent, and innovation outcomes.

Managing Your Team’s Child Care Crisis

In this webinar, Jamie Ladge and Tim Allen share research-based insights that can help organizations offer better support and policies for working mothers and other caregivers.

Jamie Ladge, Tim Allen, and Allison Ryder

Three ways managers can address workforce stress.

A business leader shares advice to help managers combat stress and support employees’ overall wellness.

Cesar Carvalho

Organizational behavior, the future workplace depends on efficiency, effectiveness, and balance.

Businesses emerging from the pandemic must balance efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of life to enable growth.

Robert Hooijberg and Michael Watkins

What does the four-day workweek mean for the future of work.

Recent research suggests companies should consider offering a four-day workweek to help attract and retain employees.

Stop Telling Employees to Be Resilient

The authors suggest five actions leaders can take to create a workplace that supports employees and fosters resilience.

Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy

Remote work, how shifts in remote behavior affect employee well-being.

Leaders can improve remote employees’ well-being and productivity by helping them structure their workdays better.

Shaun Subel, Martin Stepanek, and Thomas Roulet

Top performers have a superpower: happiness.

Employee well-being and happiness are surprisingly powerful predictors of performance.

Paul B. Lester, Ed Diener, and Martin Seligman

How hyperflexibility can benefit — or burn out — your team.

Policies for unlimited or mandatory time off that aim to combat burnout and boost employee retention can backfire.

Zahira Jaser and Thomas Roulet

Cart

  • SUGGESTED TOPICS
  • The Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Managing Yourself
  • Managing Teams
  • Work-life Balance
  • The Big Idea
  • Data & Visuals
  • Reading Lists
  • Case Selections
  • HBR Learning
  • Topic Feeds
  • Account Settings
  • Email Preferences

The Research-Backed Benefits of Daily Rituals

  • Michael I. Norton

work research topics

A survey of more than 130 HBR readers asked how they use rituals to start their days, psych themselves up for stressful challenges, and transition when the workday is done.

While some may cringe at forced corporate rituals, research shows that personal and team rituals can actually benefit the way we work. The authors’ expertise on the topic over the past decade, plus a survey of nearly 140 HBR readers, explores the ways rituals can set us up for success before work, get us psyched up for important presentations, foster a strong team culture, and help us wind down at the end of the day.

“Give me a W ! Give me an A ! Give me an L ! Give me a squiggly! Give me an M ! Give me an A ! Give me an R ! Give me a T !”

work research topics

  • Michael I. Norton is the Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. He is the author of The Ritual Effect and co-author of Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending . His research focuses on happiness, well-being, rituals, and inequality. See his faculty page here .

Partner Center

Not Having Job Flexibility or Security Can Leave Workers Feeling Depressed, Anxious, and Hopeless

New research from BU public health expert finds greater work security lowered risk of mental health challenges and reduced number of absences

work research topics

Photo via iStock/Overearth

Monica L. Wang

When employees don’t have control over their work schedules, it’s not just morale that suffers—mental health takes a hit too. That’s what my colleagues and I discovered in a study recently published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open .

As a public health expert , I know that the way our jobs are designed can affect our well-being. Research has shown that flexibility, security, and autonomy in the workplace are strong determinants of health .

To understand how powerful they are, my colleagues and I looked at the 2021 National Health Interview Survey , a major data collection initiative run out of the National Center for Health Statistics . We analyzed responses from 18,144 working adults across the US, teasing out how job flexibility and security may be linked with mental health.

The respondents were asked how easily they could change their work schedule to do things important to them or their family, whether their work schedule changed on a regular basis, and how far in advance they usually knew their schedules. They also rated their perceived risk of losing their job in the next 12 months.

We found that workers who had more flexible work arrangements were less likely to report feelings of depression, hopelessness, and anxiety. Similarly, those with greater job security were at lower risk of mental health challenges. We also found that higher job security was linked with fewer instances of missing work over the past year.

Why It Matters

The average full-time worker dedicates a third of their lifetime waking hours to work. Given that fact, understanding how job design affects mental health is key to developing policies that bolster well-being.

It’s clear why employers should care: When workers aren’t feeling well mentally, they’re less productive and more likely to miss work . Their creativity , collaboration , and ability to meet job demands also suffer, hurting the entire organization.

The impact of job-related stress extends beyond the workplace, affecting families, communities, and healthcare systems. People grappling with work-related mental health challenges often require multiple forms of support , such as access to counseling, medication, and social services. Not addressing these needs comprehensively can cause serious long-term consequences , including reduced quality of life and increased healthcare costs.

It’s important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic worsened mental health disparities , and that individuals in lower-wage positions, frontline workers, and people in marginalized communities continue to face additional challenges . In this context, understanding exactly how job and work design can affect people’s mental health is all the more important.

What’s Next?

My research team plans to examine how race and gender affect the links between job flexibility, job security, and mental health.

Previous research suggests that women and people of color experience unique workplace stressors that harm their mental well-being. For instance, women continue to face barriers to career advancement , unequal pay , and a higher burden of unpaid care work.

Similarly, employees of color often experience discrimination , microaggressions , and limited opportunities for professional growth at work, all of which can harm mental health . Understanding gender and racial differences will help researchers and organizations develop targeted interventions and policy recommendations.

Mental health challenges are far from rare: more than 50 million Americans, or nearly 1 in 5 adults , live with mental illness. By creating workplaces that prioritize employee well-being —through flexible work arrangements, supportive policies, and access to mental health resources—organizations can help build a healthier society.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Monica L. Wang is a Boston University School of Public Health associate professor of community health sciences. She is an expert in science communication and health misinformation and has served as a consultant to one of the largest social media companies in the world on COVID-19 health misinformation management. Her work and insights have been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post , National Public Radio, the Boston Globe , and CBS.

“Expert Take”  is a research-led opinion page that provides commentaries from BU researchers on a variety of issues—local, national, or international—related to their work. Anyone interested in submitting a piece should contact  [email protected] .  The Brink  reserves the right to reject or edit submissions. The views expressed are solely those of the author and are not intended to represent the views of Boston University.

Explore Related Topics:

  • Public Health
  • Share this story
  • 0 Comments Add

Monica L. Wang Profile

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

Post a comment. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest from The Brink

Can the bias in algorithms help us see our own, do immigrants and immigration help the economy, how do people carry such heavy loads on their heads, do alcohol ads promote underage drinking, how worried should we be about us measles outbreaks, stunning new image shows black hole’s immensely powerful magnetic field, it’s not just a pharmacy—walgreens and cvs closures can exacerbate health inequities, how does science misinformation affect americans from underrepresented communities, what causes osteoarthritis bu researchers win $46 million grant to pursue answers and find new treatments, how to be a better mentor, how the design of hospitals impacts patient treatment and recovery, all americans deserve a healthy diet. here’s one way to help make that happen, bu cte center: lewiston, maine, mass shooter had traumatic brain injury, can cleaner classroom air help kids do better at school, carb-x funds 100th project—a milestone for bu-based nonprofit leading antimicrobial-resistance fightback, is covid-19 still a pandemic, what is language and how does it evolve, the ingredients of unequal aging: housing, income, and health, 10 things to do in your 20s to help ensure you’ll enjoy your 80s.

Read our research on: Gun Policy | International Conflict | Election 2024

Regions & Countries

About half of americans say public k-12 education is going in the wrong direction.

School buses arrive at an elementary school in Arlington, Virginia. (Chen Mengtong/China News Service via Getty Images)

About half of U.S. adults (51%) say the country’s public K-12 education system is generally going in the wrong direction. A far smaller share (16%) say it’s going in the right direction, and about a third (32%) are not sure, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in November 2023.

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to understand how Americans view the K-12 public education system. We surveyed 5,029 U.S. adults from Nov. 9 to Nov. 16, 2023.

The survey was conducted by Ipsos for Pew Research Center on the Ipsos KnowledgePanel Omnibus. The KnowledgePanel is a probability-based web panel recruited primarily through national, random sampling of residential addresses. The survey is weighted by gender, age, race, ethnicity, education, income and other categories.

Here are the questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and the survey methodology .

A diverging bar chart showing that only 16% of Americans say public K-12 education is going in the right direction.

A majority of those who say it’s headed in the wrong direction say a major reason is that schools are not spending enough time on core academic subjects.

These findings come amid debates about what is taught in schools , as well as concerns about school budget cuts and students falling behind academically.

Related: Race and LGBTQ Issues in K-12 Schools

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say the public K-12 education system is going in the wrong direction. About two-thirds of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (65%) say this, compared with 40% of Democrats and Democratic leaners. In turn, 23% of Democrats and 10% of Republicans say it’s headed in the right direction.

Among Republicans, conservatives are the most likely to say public education is headed in the wrong direction: 75% say this, compared with 52% of moderate or liberal Republicans. There are no significant differences among Democrats by ideology.

Similar shares of K-12 parents and adults who don’t have a child in K-12 schools say the system is going in the wrong direction.

A separate Center survey of public K-12 teachers found that 82% think the overall state of public K-12 education has gotten worse in the past five years. And many teachers are pessimistic about the future.

Related: What’s It Like To Be A Teacher in America Today?

Why do Americans think public K-12 education is going in the wrong direction?

We asked adults who say the public education system is going in the wrong direction why that might be. About half or more say the following are major reasons:

  • Schools not spending enough time on core academic subjects, like reading, math, science and social studies (69%)
  • Teachers bringing their personal political and social views into the classroom (54%)
  • Schools not having the funding and resources they need (52%)

About a quarter (26%) say a major reason is that parents have too much influence in decisions about what schools are teaching.

How views vary by party

A dot plot showing that Democrats and Republicans who say public education is going in the wrong direction give different explanations.

Americans in each party point to different reasons why public education is headed in the wrong direction.

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say major reasons are:

  • A lack of focus on core academic subjects (79% vs. 55%)
  • Teachers bringing their personal views into the classroom (76% vs. 23%)

A bar chart showing that views on why public education is headed in the wrong direction vary by political ideology.

In turn, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to point to:

  • Insufficient school funding and resources (78% vs. 33%)
  • Parents having too much say in what schools are teaching (46% vs. 13%)

Views also vary within each party by ideology.

Among Republicans, conservatives are particularly likely to cite a lack of focus on core academic subjects and teachers bringing their personal views into the classroom.

Among Democrats, liberals are especially likely to cite schools lacking resources and parents having too much say in the curriculum.

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

work research topics

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

Fresh data delivered Saturday mornings

‘Back to school’ means anytime from late July to after Labor Day, depending on where in the U.S. you live

Among many u.s. children, reading for fun has become less common, federal data shows, most european students learn english in school, for u.s. teens today, summer means more schooling and less leisure time than in the past, about one-in-six u.s. teachers work second jobs – and not just in the summer, most popular.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

When should I retire? It may be much later in life than you think.

Companies that fail to take advantage of expanding work spans are leaving value and money on the table..

Career and retirement planning used to be straightforward: You climbed the career ladder before leaving to enjoy a couple of twilight decades of retirement. It was a binary proposition − you were working until you weren’t.

Those days are as bygone as pension plans. Demographics and desire are reshaping the very idea of retirement − what it involves, when and how people do it. This is not your parents’ retirement plan. Society’s infrastructure and attitudes have to adjust to this new world of work − and quickly.

While most Americans still want a traditional, full-stop retirement, it is a smaller majority than you might expect. According to a recent Harris Poll survey , 56% of Americans eventually want to leave the workforce. The rest are a mix: 30% want to partially retire (working part-time or consulting, for example), while 7% never plan to stop working and 6% don’t know what they want to do.

About 1 in 5 Americans 65 and older were employed last year, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center report − nearly double the approximately 1 in 10 who still worked in the 1980s.

The way we view retirement is changing

On the retirement issue, three distinct camps are emerging: The “clean breakers” (full retirement), the “re-inventors” (transition to part-time work) and the “never-stoppers” (no retirement).

Strikingly, according to our survey, the desire to fully retire is strongest among younger workers and diminishes the closer one gets to the actual end of one’s career. So, while 63% of non-retired workers under the age of 34 look forward to a full retirement, that figure drops to 59% among those ages 35 to 54 and then plummets to 36% for those 55 and older.

Better pay, no job: High wages, 32-hour workweeks sound great, but there's a steep price

There is an immutable economic logic to this: Too many Americans don’t feel financially ready to leave the workforce. We can see  a new kind of job-lock − people unable to retire because they can’t afford to do so.

We’re 40 years into a massive shift in how people pay for retirement. In 1984, the number of Americans with defined contribution plans such as IRAs exceeded the number with pension-type plans for the first time, and we’re still grappling with what that means.

But there’s something more at work here. Life expectancy has grown over time, casting the post-65 years in a different light.

Americans now think not only in terms of a protracted life span but also  health span  (how long you’re not simply alive but healthy) and, yes,  work span .

Older people are working longer. Corporate America, take note.

What were once twilight years are looking brighter and longer. Suddenly, 65 no longer seems like the end point for work.

What does that mean for corporate America? Multigenerational work is here to stay, and today’s companies need to harness the potential of not just three or four generations, but  five .

Work-life balance is a life. We need to create better workplaces.

Leaning into the emerging multigenerational workforce − with five generations working side-by-side − will lead to higher output and economic growth. A 2020 study from the World Economic Forum and other researchers estimated that investing in this future will  raise per-capita GDP by almost 19% over the next 30 years.

It makes sense intuitively: Older workers take a wealth of experience with them when they walk out the door, so retaining them is a plus. Modern business strategy dictates that a diversity of experience and views lead to stronger outcomes.

Some forward-looking companies are already gearing up to take full advantage of the gray-hued workforce of tomorrow.  General Motors  and  Boeing  have started return-ship programs, allowing older workers to return to their jobs and add value.

Other companies are  looking for ways to retain older workers . Microsoft, for example, is keeping benefits largely stable even as older employees shift to part-time work, while Marriott offers more flexible scheduling. These case studies shouldn’t be outliers; they are trailblazers.

The companies that fail to take advantage of expanding work spans are leaving value and money on the table. Relying on three or four generations alone to contribute is a thing of the past. Perhaps it is only a matter of time before  chief longevity officers  take their place in the C-suite.

While the age of America’s presidential candidates is a hot-button issue in 2024, we should get used to our graying reality. Increased participation in society is a positive development, with older Americans bringing the perspective that millennials or Generation Z haven’t yet accumulated. Not only are baby boomers more experienced, but they also exhibit the  lowest levels of burnout and highest levels of engagement at work .

As long as these older participants remain sharp and passionate about solving problems, a multigenerational America is a more robust society.

Who knows: Maybe in a few decades, people won’t be so freaked out by septuagenarians running companies like JPMorgan Chase or Microsoft − or winning the White House.

Will Johnson serves as CEO of  The Harris Poll , one of the world’s leading public opinion, market research and strategy firms.

For the Colorado River and beyond, a new market could save the day

work research topics

The Colorado River, “the lifeblood of the West,” is in trouble. Decades of overuse and drought have sharply reduced its water supply, threatening an ecosystem that supports 40 million people and 5.5 million acres of farmland in nearby states and parts of northern Mexico.

Steep cutbacks in water use are critical. But the seven states that rely on the Colorado River can’t agree on how much less each of them needs to take over the long run, in large part because it’s not entirely clear who holds what legal rights to the river and who should get priority over others to its available water. If the states can’t agree, the federal government is reportedly threatening to make the hard choices for them.

Paul Milgrom , the Shirley R. and Leonard W. Ely, Jr. Professor in Humanities and Sciences in Stanford’s Department of Economics and a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research ( SIEPR ), has encountered intractable problems like this before. In 2020, he won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his pioneering work creating markets for goods and services that can’t be sold in traditional ways.

Water management, he says, is ripe for a market fix — not just for the Colorado River Basin but around the world as water shortages, made worse by climate change, become a defining issue of the 21st century. It’s no longer enough to leave decisions around water use up to federal, state, and local governments alone.

“We are trying to meet a 21st century set of challenges with 20th century technology and 19th century laws,” says Milgrom, who is also a professor, by courtesy, at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) and at the Department of Management Science and Engineering in the School of Engineering. “What we have, fundamentally, is a market design problem.”

Milgrom is part of an interdisciplinary Stanford team — led by Billy Ferguson , a PhD student in economics at the GSB and a former SIEPR undergraduate research fellow — that has developed an elaborate plan for how new markets for trading water could overcome key policy challenges around water allocation while providing incentives to high-volume users to find ways to do more with less.

work research topics

Milgrom and Ferguson recently highlighted their proposal in a working paper released by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Their use case is California, one of the Colorado River Basin’s biggest stakeholders and whose system for divvying up surface water, which comes from rivers and streams, is especially complex and opaque.

Much of their blueprint is drawn from Milgrom’s work a decade ago helping the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) overcome obstacles in delivering more radio wave frequencies to wireless companies so they could meet exploding consumer demand for mobile services.

Milgrom led a team of experts in economics and computer science through his company, Auctionomics, in the creation of a voluntary market for trading a new type of radio spectrum license, which is credited with enabling mobile communication as we know it, today. The two-part auction process he helped engineer so that the FCC could make those trades possible also delivered $20 billion in total to the radio and TV operators that gave up their old licenses and another $10 billion to the U.S. Treasury.

Milgrom says there are lessons from the 2017 Broadband Incentive Auction that apply to water scarcity in the United States and around the world.

Water rights are broken

As a second-year PhD student in 2021, Ferguson was already interested in water scarcity when he took Milgrom’s market design course and thought that lessons from the FCC’s broadband fix could apply to water. His class project on California’s convoluted system of water rights caught Milgrom’s attention and they started talking about working together. Ferguson then enrolled in a water law course taught by Barton “Buzz” Thompson , a Stanford Law School professor and water rights expert who had also been thinking about the potential role of markets. Thompson is also the faculty director of the Water in the West program led jointly by the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and the Bill Lane Center for the American West.

“I really need to get Buzz and Paul in the same room,” Ferguson recalls thinking. With Thompson on board, the team pressed ahead.

At its core, their idea for a water market starts with creating a new type of property right — one designed to overcome many of the drawbacks with current policies. California, for instance, has a “first come, first served” approach to surface water in which the earliest rights holders — among them, farms and ranches dating 100 or more years ago — have been given priority to rivers and streams over the water-hungry entities that came later, notably coastal cities like Los Angeles and San Diego.

California also has a “use or lose it” provision that requires rights holders to consume their yearly allotment or surface water or risk getting less water in the future. They can technically sell any excess water to other users, but in practice, it’s really hard to do, according to Ferguson: Sellers first have to show that no one downstream from where the water would otherwise go — a phenomenon known as “return flow” — is harmed.

“The system is set up in a way that you have every incentive to use your entire allocation and no incentive to conserve,” Ferguson says.

work research topics

Going all in with econ

Billy Ferguson was part of the inaugural cohort of undergraduate research fellows at SIEPR. He learned, as a sophomore at that time, about the power of economic tools and data-backed research and never looked back. Today, his PhD work with advisor Paul Milgrom boldly introduces a novel approach to a longstanding issue over the allocation of water rights.

A solution designed for optimal flexibility

A more efficient approach, write Ferguson and Milgrom in their working paper , would be to establish a new property right aimed at delivering water to those who need it most and are willing to pay for it. Among other features, this new right would be based on how much water gets consumed, not diverted, and adjust as precipitation levels change from one year to the next.

This new water market, Ferguson says, would give rights holders incentives to save water — maybe by switching to low-water crops or installing more efficient water treatment systems — and sell off what they don’t need without damaging downstream users. And because water would then be a financial asset, Ferguson and Milgrom say farmers and other rights holders would have easier access to loans or other capital to pay for investments in water-saving technologies.

To kickstart the market, in which participation would be voluntary, the Stanford team is borrowing another page from the radio spectrum playbook: a one-time auction in which governments, in a process known as a “reverse” auction, first buy back water rights from those who are willing to give them up in exchange for the new right. In a subsequent “forward” auction, governments would sell the new water rights to the highest bidders, who would then be free to privately trade their entitlements going forward.

“Our whole approach is to ensure a level of flexibility in allocating water that’s needed but currently missing,” Ferguson says.

Government, he adds, also has a critical role to play in adopting policies to protect vulnerable populations. This includes, for example, limiting how much farmland can be fallowed in pursuit of water profits so that local communities aren’t impacted by job losses and other economic fallout.

Why the timing is right

Milgrom and Ferguson aren’t harboring any illusions: As the Colorado River impasse shows, water scarcity is rife with political, economic, and technological challenges.

But they are also optimistic that their vision for a water market will gain traction — in large part because there’s an urgent need to figure out how to make better use of dwindling water supplies.

“There’s both pressure and possibility,” says Milgrom, just like there was when he took on the challenge of freeing up radio spectrum for wireless companies. And like then, technology has reached the point where water supplies can be measured in new ways and with enough accuracy to give users confidence in their ability to get the water they need.

“There’s every reason to think this can work,” he says. “While it won’t reverse climate change or make it rain, it would go a long way toward providing long-run water resilience.”

The biggest roadblock, says Milgrom, is the politics around water — at the federal, state, and local levels. This is one reason why Milgrom sees introducing water markets as an even bigger problem to solve than reallocating radio spectrum.

The challenge is also deeply personal for Milgrom. “I’m 75 years old,” he says. “If I’m lucky, I have one really big project left in me and I’d like this to be it.”

A conference on Advancing Sustainable Water Management — organized by Milgrom and Thompson, and hosted by Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability — will be held on April 18-19. Find info on the event here . 

Policy challenges of the Colorado River was one of the topics at the 10th Annual Eccles Family Rural West Conference organized by the Bill Lane Center for the American West. See coverage of the March 27 event here .

More News Topics

Q&a: julian nyarko on why large language models like chatgpt treat black- and white-sounding names differently.

  • Research Highlight
  • Innovation and Technology

The ‘sandwich generation’ faces pressure as the world ages. Here are 3 tips to prevent burnout.

  • Media Mention

One-Third of Employees Nap During Work Hours, a New Study Finds. Good for Them

Exploring the humanities at Tyson Research Center

Performance, two-day gathering highlight critical and creative practices

work research topics

Listening is a fundamental human capacity. It also can be a skill, an artistic practice and even a political act.

So argues Anya Yermakova , an American Council of Learned Societies Emerging Voices Postdoctoral Fellow in the Center for the Humanities in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.

work research topics

“Sound can permeate walls,” said Yermakova, a composer, dancer and sound artist as well as a historian and philosopher of logic. “Sighted humans tend to be visually dominant. Sound can go through and around the structures that people build to divide space.”

This spring, Yermakova is organizing a pair of performances, on April 14, and a two-day gathering, on April 26-27, at WashU’s Tyson Research Center . The events build on her scholarship, her creative work and her current seminar, “Topics in Embodied Communication: Listening.”

That course — which is cross-listed in performing arts, music, comparative literature and philosophy-neuroscience-psychology, all in Arts & Sciences — explores the nature of human and non-human auditory systems, as well as multimodal forms of listening (such as vibration), through a variety of theoretical perspectives.

“The final section reflects on the political possibilities of sound,” she explained. “How do we listen to that which is invisible?”

work research topics

Creative connections

Tyson is a 2,000-acre environmental field station located a half-hour southwest of St. Louis. “It’s a beautiful and fascinating site that has a real precedent of accommodating artistic research,” Yermakova said. “A lot of people at WashU — across different fields and different departments — have creative connections to Tyson.”

All events will take place in an unused World War II-era storage facility. “The bunkers are really interesting,” Yermakova said. “They were constructed into the landscape, presumably so that they wouldn’t be visible from aerial view. A lot of them don’t have electricity. Converting one into a concert venue has certainly been a challenge!”

The performances, titled “Listening Into: Bunkers, Bodies, In-betweens,” will feature a largely improvised program with Yermakova on piano and providing foot percussion. Joining her will be visiting artists Florent Ghys on acoustic bass and electronics, Marina Kifferstein on violin, and Rajna Swaminathan on mridangam and kanjira. But the audience will also contribute.

“The bunkers are so resonant that simply stepping inside makes a sound,” Yermakova said. “Anyone who enters the bunker is co-creating the soundscape.”

work research topics

Artistic research

Both the performances and the gathering are part of the Center for the Humanities’ Redefining Doctoral Education in the Humanities, or “Ready,” initiative. Funded with support from the Mellon Foundation, this long-running series of grants, retreats, workshops and classes aims to support innovative, interdisciplinary graduate work and to encourage the next generation of humanities scholars and practitioners.

As part of “Artistic Research at Tyson,” more than a dozen graduate students, representing nearly as many Arts & Sciences departments and programs, will present works-in-progress based on their own critical and creative engagements with the Tyson site. Other participants will include Beirut-based artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan and Salomé Voegelin, professor of sound at the University of the Arts London. Themes will range from war, displacement and the power of erosion to land as an embodiment of memory and the entanglements of human and environmental forces.

“In the graduate community, there’s definitely interest in artistic research,” Yermakova said. “A lot of people are doing complementary work, but they may not know of one another, or they may still be looking, in some way, for a home. Does this count as research? Is this legible within the university?

“In a sense, Tyson seemed like a logical place to bring everyone together.”

Performances of “Listening Into: Bunkers, Bodies, In-betweens” will take place at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 14. In addition, a discussion with the artists will take place at 3 p.m.; audiences from both performances are invited to attend. “ Artistic Research at Tyson” will take place from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, April 26; and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 27. For those unable to attend the full gathering, there will be a special “drop-in hour” from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, April 26.

All events are free and open to the public, but space is limited and RSVPs are required. Tyson Research Center is located about 20 miles from the Danforth Campus, just off Interstate 44. For more information, visit the individual event pages linked above.

Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. Please, no personal attacks, obscenity or profanity, selling of commercial products, or endorsements of political candidates or positions. We reserve the right to remove any inappropriate comments. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum.

You Might Also Like

‘Humanities at Work’

Latest from the Newsroom

Recent stories.

Junior Seiler awarded Truman Scholarship

Elmesky receives William H. Danforth St. Louis Confluence Award

Sam Fox School presents 95th Annual Fashion Design Show

WashU Experts

Tremor a reminder that East Coast, Midwest earthquake threat is real

NASPA chair, WashU vice chancellor on the future of student affairs

How Key Bridge collapse could impact U.S. supply chains immediately, long-term

WashU in the News

Chlamydia vaccine shows promise in early trial

The government announced winners of a contest to tell real voices from deepfake audio

The Real Estate Nightmare Unfolding in Downtown St. Louis

IMAGES

  1. 🌷 Good social work research topics. 70 Cutting. 2022-10-31

    work research topics

  2. How to Choose Good Research Topics for Your Research Paper

    work research topics

  3. Take a Look at Interesting Research Topics in Education

    work research topics

  4. 🌷 Examples of sociological research topics. 100+ Best Sociology

    work research topics

  5. 150 Business Research Topics to Impress Your Professors

    work research topics

  6. Engineering Research Paper With Best Topics & Writing Help

    work research topics

VIDEO

  1. Academic Writing Workshop

  2. social work RESEARCH TOPICS

  3. Choosing the Best Research Topic

  4. Social Work Research: Descriptive Data Analysis (Part 1) (Chapter 21)

  5. Top 10 Human Resource Thesis research topics research paper

  6. Stuck in PhD Research Proposal? #irfannawaz #research #phd #researchprocess #researchproposal

COMMENTS

  1. 113 Great Research Paper Topics

    113 Great Research Paper Topics. One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily ...

  2. 100 Social Work Research Topics and Tips on Choosing One

    50 Hot Research Topics for Social Work Students. Difference in approaching children vs adolescents suffering from domestic violence. Success stories in preventing child abuse in certain regions/states. Strategies to encourage women to report domestic violence cases. Damage to families with ongoing domestic violence.

  3. 199+ Social Work Research Topics [Updated 2024]

    199+ Social Work Research Topics [Updated 2024] General / By Stat Analytica / 28th November 2023. 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.

  4. Social Work Research Topics: 20+ Great Ideas for Inspiration

    Social Work Thesis Research Topics. The contrast between children displaced in conflict zones and children in foster care. Compassion fatigue in counselors and social workers. Differentiating between codependency and interdependence in adolescents and adults. The psychological effects of emotionally immature parents on their adult offspring.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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 ...

  10. 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.

  11. 1000+ Research Topics For Your Dissertation Or Thesis

    A research topic and a research problem are two distinct concepts that are often confused. A research topic is a broader label that indicates the focus of the study, while a research problem is an issue or gap in knowledge within the broader field that needs to be addressed.. To illustrate this distinction, consider a student who has chosen "teenage pregnancy in the United Kingdom" as ...

  12. 256 Social Work Research Topics: Essential Guide

    256 In Depth Social Work Research Topics To Get Top Grade. Social work is a practice which discusses social change and development. It requires the understanding of people's behavior, economic conditions, social and cultural institutions, etc., to engage in meaningful interactions with people on individual, family, group, and community levels.

  13. 170+ Research Topics In Education (+ Free Webinar)

    A comprehensive list of research topics and ideas in education, along with a list of existing dissertations & theses covering education. About Us; Services. 1-On-1 Coaching. Topic Ideation; ... I am looking for a new topic for my thesis. Because of my work in the elementary school, I am looking for a topic that is from the field of elementary ...

  14. 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.

  15. 81 Exciting Social Work Research Topics to Choose From

    Great Social Work Topics to Research: Signs, Features & Examples. The main thing to remember when seeking great social work research proposal topics is the need to focus on investigating actual problems. Major research areas are related to concepts, theories, and principles people use to interact with individuals and groups.

  16. social work research topics: Empowering Communities to ...

    Importance of research in social work: Evidence-based practice. Informed decision-making. Social justice and advocacy. Professional development and growth. Contribution to the field. Purpose of selecting appropriate research topics: Addressing knowledge gaps. Informing practice and policy.

  17. LibGuides: Research Topic Ideas: Education & Social Work

    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.

  18. 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.

  19. 145+ Best Social Work Research Topics and Ideas to Use

    Best Social Work Research Topics Ideas. Importee of group therapy in children. Ill effects of less child support. Effects of clinical depression. Impact of ADHD in foster homes related to kids. Effects of continued mobility in the lives of orphaned kids. The best counselling session for people suffering from PTSD.

  20. 66 Research Ideas for Your Next Project or Assignment

    66 research ideas Here are 66 research ideas divided into categories to help you generate your next research topic: Health research ideas Here are some research ideas related to health:. Diagnostic testing: You can use this topic to write about a specific type of test, such as x-ray technology, or you could compare several tests. Allergy and asthma: You can study the effects or causes of ...

  21. A Beginner's Guide to Starting the Research Process

    Step 1: Choose your topic. First you have to come up with some ideas. Your thesis or dissertation topic can start out very broad. Think about the general area or field you're interested in—maybe you already have specific research interests based on classes you've taken, or maybe you had to consider your topic when applying to graduate school and writing a statement of purpose.

  22. Topics Work-Life Balance

    Managing Your Team's Child Care Crisis. In this webinar, Jamie Ladge and Tim Allen share research-based insights that can help organizations offer better support and policies for working mothers and other caregivers. Jamie Ladge, Tim Allen, and Allison Ryder. July 14, 2022. Work-Life Balance.

  23. The Research-Backed Benefits of Daily Rituals

    While some may cringe at forced corporate rituals, research shows that personal and team rituals can actually benefit the way we work. The authors' expertise on the topic over the past decade ...

  24. Not Having Job Flexibility or Security Can Leave Workers Feeling

    When employees don't have control over their work schedules, it's not just morale that suffers—mental health takes a hit too. That's what my colleagues and I discovered in a study recently published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open.. As a public health expert, I know that the way our jobs are designed can affect our well-being.Research has shown that flexibility, security, and ...

  25. About half of Americans say public K-12 education ...

    About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions.

  26. Can I retire now? Older people are working longer. It's good, actually

    Add Topic. When should I retire? ... Work-life balance is a life. ... Will Johnson serves as CEO of The Harris Poll, one of the world's leading public opinion, market research and strategy firms.

  27. For the Colorado River and beyond, a new market could save the day

    In 2020, he won the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his pioneering work creating markets for goods and services that can't be sold in traditional ways. Water management, he says, is ripe for a market fix — not just for the Colorado River Basin but around the world as water shortages, made worse by climate change, become a defining ...

  28. Exploring the humanities at Tyson Research Center

    The Center for the Humanities in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis will present both a performance and a two-day workshop on artistic research at WashU's Tyson Research Center. Organized by postdoctoral researcher Anya Yermakova, the events build on her scholarship, her creative work and her current seminar, "Topics in Embodied Communication: Listening."

  29. Scientists uncover key resistance mechanism to Wnt ...

    A new study reveals why some pancreatic and colorectal tumors resist targeted anti-Wnt drugs and suggests how to overcome it, offering new hope to patients with fully treatment-resistant cancers.