Research
Contents
Definitions and Scope
Researchers of Social Issues or Social Service Sector
Segments
Practitioners and professionals
Academics
Students
Size of the Groups
There are about 5-6 VWOs with research teams. Others may rely on their practitioners or provide time for them to do research.
Desired goals
High quality research that can generate relevant, innovative and effective solutions
Overview of Social Service Research in Singapore
See chapters 2 and 10 of A Conducive Ecosystem for Social Service Research in Singapore
Research Needs
Research Capability
Need for Access to Tools and Resources
Existing Resources
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| NLB eResources | NLB's repository of indexes, full-text ejournals, enewspapers, ebooks and emagazines. Free of charge. Use your Singpass to sign up for a myLibrary ID. Databases include EBSCOHost, Proquest and Factiva. |
| NUS Department of Social Work's Mrs Lee Choon Guan Endowed Research Fund | This endowed fund resources NUS Social Work Department to engage front-line practitioners to conduct practice research that will enhance service provision and delivery. It involves service providers, service users, and caregivers in the entire research process. These stakeholders are involved in the conceptualisation, implementation, analysis and utilisation of research findings.
The objective is to produce more practice research and to turn them into teaching and training materials. These practice research projects have the potential to: (1) improve the accessibility, delivery and design of services, (2) enhance the well-being of service users, as well as (3) contribute to policy discussions at the agency and governmental levels. |
*Please note that the NCSS has ceased its subscription to ProQuest.
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Need for Training and Sharing of Expertise
Need for opportunity to apply or troubleshoot
Existing Resources
Communities of Practice hosted by Social Service Institute [1]
Research mentorship scheme by Social Service Research Centre [2]
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Master classes for experienced practitioners who need specialized skills training
E-learning for ease of access
Need for Funding
Existing Resources
NCSS Social Service Scholarships [3]
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Research Agenda and Focus
Research to Understand Social Problems
Existing Resources
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Research to Solve Social Problems
Existing Resources
Gaps and Their Causes
Too much attention to evaluation, too little attention to solutioning forms of research (Lee 2015: 28-30) [4]
Possible Solutions
Research to Evaluate Solutions
Existing Resources
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Knowledge Brokerage and Policy Advocacy
Need to Manage Knowledge Base
Existing Resources
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Existing Resources
Social Service Research Network [5]
The Impact Library https://theimpactlibrary.wordpress.com/ "The Impact Library is powered by a group of impact assessment practitioners based in Singapore. The resources listed here provide knowledge, insights, and in some cases, tools, for implementing impact assessment. They are suggested by partners and contributors and are collated from various relevant websites."
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Need to Translate Findings to Policy or Practice
Existing Resources
Gaps and Their Causes
Possible Solutions
Resource Directory
VWOs with Research Teams
SHINE Children and Youth Services
Singapore
IPS Exchange Series on Conducive Ecosystem for Social Service Research