From Problem To Research Question: Developing A Clear And

From problem to research question: Developing a clear and

At this point, you may have an idea of your general social work topic, but what specific problem does that point to and how can that problem be conveyed as a question to be explored? In order to conduct a successful research study, the research question must be clearly defined, well justified, and offer something new to the social work knowledge base. The research study can only be as good as the research question that guides it.

For this Discussion, you articulate the problem you are focusing on and craft your research question to address that problem. You also consider the value of the identified problem by considering how it relates to social work practice.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of a research question in social work begins with identifying a specific problem that addresses a gap in existing knowledge and holds practical relevance to the field. To illustrate this process, consider the issue of peer group acceptance among children in middle childhood, a critical period for psychosocial development. Existing literature indicates that peer acceptance significantly influences children's self-esteem, behavior, and social adaptation, with both positive and negative outcomes depending on the nature of peer interactions (McLean & Syed, 2018; Zastrow et al., 2019).

The problem, therefore, revolves around understanding how peer acceptance impacts identity development in middle childhood and its predictive value for successful social adjustment. Despite considerable research, there remains a need to explore how specific environmental and familial factors modulate this relationship, especially among children raised in non-traditional family settings, such as those cared for by extended relatives, as depicted in the case of Walter in the documentary "Big Mama" (Seretean, 2000). Walter's story highlights how familial circumstances influence identity formation and social outcomes during critical developmental stages.

Framing this as a research problem, the key issue becomes: How does peer acceptance affect identity development among middle childhood children, and to what extent does family environment moderate this relationship? This problem is pertinent because it can inform social work interventions aimed at fostering healthy peer relationships, especially for children in non-traditional or strained family environments. Such insights are vital for designing programs that enhance social skills and emotional resilience, ultimately contributing to better mental health outcomes and social integration (Shehu, 2019).

The research question derived from this problem could be articulated as: "What is the relationship between peer acceptance and identity development in middle childhood children, and how does family context influence this relationship?" Addressing this question fills a critical gap by integrating multiple contextual factors influencing child development, ultimately guiding social workers in creating more targeted support strategies. It also emphasizes the importance of familial and social environments in shaping developmental trajectories, reinforcing the need for comprehensive assessments in practice.

In conclusion, developing a research question involves pinpointing a specific, well-justified problem that addresses a gap in current knowledge and has practical implications for social work. By focusing on the intersection of peer acceptance, identity development, and family environment, this research can provide valuable insights for practitioners working with children facing complex social and familial challenges, leading to more effective interventions and improved developmental outcomes.

References

• McLean, K. C., & Syed, M. (2018). Identity development. In M. H. Bornstein (Ed.), The Sage encyclopedia of lifespan human development. Sage.
• Shehu, P. (2019). Peer acceptance in childhood: Links to socio-economic and social competence. Journal of Social Studies Education Research.
• Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Seretean, T. (Producer, Director). (2000). Big Mama [Film; documentary]. California Newsreel.
• Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). Pearson.