Volume : 8, Issue : 8, August - 2019

PERCEPTION OF FACULTY MEMBERS IN SUPERVISING RESEARCH PROJECTS FOR MASTER‘S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK

Tbbsv Ramanaiah, Nireekshan Singh Gowgi S K

Abstract :

Research Project (synonymous with dissertation, major project, project report) is a component of social work curriculum at post-graduate level. The purpose of a research project is primarily to enable students develop scientific and analytical approach to issues relevant to social work with the project supervised by a qualified faculty member in social work. The present study is intended to understand the extent of involvement of faculty members (as revealed by them) in the preparation and submission of research projects by MSW students and the perceptions of these faculty members with regard to different tasks involved in the process of undertaking projects. A sample of 83 faculty members were chosen and were administered a questionnaire covering the issues proposed. The results indicate the existence of a pro-active approach of faculty members in guiding research projects and their perceptions of projects reveal that it is a desirable exercise in acquiring the skills of social work education. But 38 (45.78%) faculty members felt that from the point of view of students, a research project is a painful academic activity. The authors proposed that a serious academic discussion on the feasibility of designing a research project as a compulsory component of Master of Social Work (MSW) curriculum needs to be undertaken so as to evolve a good course to be followed in the best interests of the development of social work academic programme.