Research
Contents
Definitions and Scope
Target Population: Researchers of Social Issues or Social Service Sector
Client Segments
Practitioners and professionals
Academics
Students
Size of the Problem
[Size of the universe (size of total potential need/demand for services)] [Size of expressed need (those receiving services and on waitlist)]
Desired impact
High quality research that can generate relevant, innovative and effective solutions
Overview of Social Service Research in Singapore
See chpaters 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
NCSS E-journal database subscription open to VWOs [1]
NUS Department of Social Work's Mrs Lee Choon Guan Endowed Research Fund This endowed fund resources NUS Social Work dept to engage with frontline 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 etc. 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.
Gaps and Their Causes
Journal database subscribed by NCSS is limited in coverage (only ProQuest).
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 [2]
Research mentorship scheme by Social Service Research Centre [3]
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 [4]
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) [5]
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 [6]
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
Boys Town
Fei Yue
Singapore Children's Society
Students Care Service
Singapore
IPS Exchange Series on Conducive Ecosystem for Social Service Research