Master of Social Work Research Proposal: Domestic Abuse Prevention

This research proposal investigates the critical role of social workers in domestic abuse prevention, a significant public health issue affecting communities globally. The study aims to assess the importance of community workers in domestic abuse intervention, evaluate existing challenges, and give voice to victims. The proposal includes a comprehensive literature review, examining the contributions of social workers in identifying dangerous behaviors, generating public awareness, and providing support to victims, while also acknowledging the limitations of relying solely on social workers. The research will employ a feminist standpoint theory to examine the experiences of marginalized groups and an interpretivist research philosophy, utilizing a qualitative research method to explore the complexities of domestic violence. The study's design will incorporate detailed research methods, ethical considerations, and a conclusion, contributing valuable insights into effective strategies for social workers to prevent domestic abuse.

Running head: Significance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention
Working Title: Significance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention

2Importance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention
Introduction
Domestic abuse is a worldwide phenomenon. In fact, it is found in almost all society
irrespective of economic, social strata or ethnic groups. The issue of domestic abuse is often
viewed in the context of developing countries where gender inequality is usually very high.
However, it can be claimed that the issue of domestic abuse cannot be categorised based on
developed or developing economies. It is evident from the fact that even in developed
countries like the United States women are ascertained to experience six times more violence
by intimate partners than men. Domestic violence exists in various forms including acts of
bodily or sexual abuse such as forced rape harassment, as well as emotional violence
(Boodeppa, Dhavaleshwar & Banasode, 2015).
Over the several years, social employees have been engaged in resolving the issue of
domestic abuse. Notably, domestic abuse has emerged as a severe public health problem and
a multi-dimensional problem that requires a comprehensive understanding (Black, Weisz, &
Bennett, 2010). Social workers are ascertained to play an imperative part in domestic abuse
intervention. In this regard, social workers by helping to detect perilous behaviours and
generating public awareness about the defensive elements through campaign design and
delivery are observed to play instrumental role in domestic violence intervention. Despite the
increasing role played by the social workers in violence prevention, their role in helping the
victims of the domestic abuse is still not well understood (Rita, 2010). Correspondingly, the
proposed research study is significant to develop valuable understanding about the role of
community employees in the domestic abuse intervention. It is anticipated that the clear
understanding of their role in violence prevention would help them to develop more effective
strategies and plan to help the victims of domestic abuse.
Rationale of the Study
The proposed study is directed to acquire an in-depth and holistic knowledge and
understanding about the role of community employees in domestic abuse prevention.
Besides, the proposed study intends to develop valuable understanding about the community
work behaviour and education in the domestic violence prevention. Moreover, the proposed
study is considered to be important as it lends voice to those women who have faced
oppression and subjugation in the society.

3Importance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention
Research purpose and Goals
The aim of this proposed research study is to investigate the role of the soil worker in
domestic violence interventions. The following sections elaborate the goals for the proposed
research stud. These goals are:
 To assess the importance of community workers in domestic abuse intervention
 To evaluate problem in domestic violence prevention
 To give voice to the oppressed women and victims of domestic violence survivors
Research Question
How do social workers help in domestic violence prevention?
Literature Review and Theoretical framework
As per Crabtree-Nelson, Grossman & Lundy (2016), domestic abuse is a major public
health issue which is claimed to affect the communities in the society at an alarming arte.
Accordingly, they argue that one out of every three females is vulnerable to experience the
episode of domestic abuse in her lifetime. In fact, it has been reported that women victims of
domestic violence experiences more than 2 million injuries due to domestic abuse. At the
same time, women between the age 16-24 years are claimed to be at the greatest risks of
domestic abuse (Crabtree-Nelson, Grossman & Lundy, 2016).
As per Messing & Thaller (2014) comminity workers are more likely to face with the
domestic abuse survivors or perpetrators because of the negative consequences of such
episode on physical and mental health of victims. In the similar context, several researchers
in the past have attempted uncover the importance of community workers in preventing the
domestic abuse. In this regard, Hester (2011) acknowledge that community workers make
sure that social justice is provided to the survivors of the domestic abuse. The author further
acknowledges women and children are the worst affected by the episode of domestic
violence. The author also stressed that the domestic violence has significant consequences on
the physical and mental health of the victims. Notably, the author argues in such
circumstances social workers ensure that rights of the victims are not violated as well as they
ensure that those perpetrators that are engaged in domestic violence are penalised for such
behaviour and action against the women. Likewise, Hester, Westmarland & Kelly (2012)

4Importance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention
affirms that community workers in the past have played vital role addressing the challenges
and issues of domestic violence. In this regard, they stated that social workers use variety of
intervention measures to protect the victims of the domestic abuse. They use educational
programme and campaigns to generate awareness about the negative consequences of
domestic abuse as well as educate the family members about the mental and physical
implications of domestic abuse to prevent violence.
Stanley, Miller, Foster & Thomson (2010) further argues that social workers plays
instrumental role in changing the behaviours of the perpetrators of domestic abuse. Even
though it has been contended that changing human behaviour is complex and challenging but
it is stated that social workers through regular counselling and rehabilitation programmes are
able to influence the behaviours of perpetrators positively. At the same time, Kennedy,
Bybee, Sullivan & Greeson (2010) acknowledges that in order bring changes in the
behaviours of those involved in the domestic abuse also act as lobbyist. In addition, it has
been claimed that the domestic violence by intimate partner not only have direct impact on
other partner but it also has negative impact on the children witnessing such episode.
Correspondingly, social workers also ensure support for children and help in reducing the
stress experienced by them. McGavock & Spratt (2012) asserts that domestic violence can
lead to development of suicidal thoughts in the minds of the victims. However, social
workers are claimed to help them to overcome mental stress through effective stress
management techniques as well as educate them about the power of positivity, which has
proven to be highly effective in inculcating positive feelings and hope while eliminating
negative thoughts. Yechezkel &Ayalon (2013) demonstrated similar view and stated that use
of therapeutic interventions and legal interventions help victims to overcome the negative
thoughts and promote welfare of vulnerable individuals and families.
Nonetheless, Crabtree-Nelson, Grossman & Lundy (2016) further claimed that though
social workers plays imperative role in tackling the challenges of domestic violence. Besides,
relying on social workers alone for introducing possible intervention to prevent the domestic
violence is difficult and challenging. This implies that social workers need to demonstrate
greater efforts and use expertise that they have developed to deal with the issue of domestic
abuse.
Theoretical Framework

5Importance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention
Proposed study will use feminist standpoint theory as a theoretical framework.
Accordingly, the standpoint model involves study of women’s experiences and then
constructing these experiences to develop new and rich knowledge and understanding. The
core idea of standpoint model is that the people in the society that are less powerful are
subject to experience different reality due to their subjugation and oppression. At the same
time, researches that are designed based on this theory are political in nature as it usually
creates requirement for social action on behalf of the victims experiencing oppression. The
feminist standpoint theory is largely based on the (Dimond, Fiesler & Bruckman, 2011). At
the same time, this theory is mainly rooted in the Marxist ideology, which creates
requirement for the researcher to examine social phenomenon such as structural oppression
from feminist perspective (Carpenter, 2012). As per Bardzell (2010), feminist standpoint
theory advocates that knowledge is produced from dominant groups and suggests the use of
experiences of marginalised groups in order to attain complete and accurate picture of the
world. Notwithstanding, feminist standpoint theory is also argued to be well-suited with
community work, and are considered suitable for underrepresented members of the society
to enhance their dignity (van Wormer, 2009). The elements of choice and agency are further
recognised as the cornerstone of this theory. Correspondingly, it is with this theory, that the
proposed study in relation to social workers and domestic violence will be framed. This
theory will be used generally in the proposed study as a starting point to describe the
domestic violence in terms of experiences of the underrepresented members of the society
and how social workers are involved in the violence prevention.
Research Methodology
Research methodology is an integral element of a research study. It relates with the
process and procedures that are applied by the scholars in answering the research questions.
As per Kothari (2013), research methodology is a systematic process of investigating the
research problem. Nonetheless, the selection of appropriate research methodology is
influenced by variety of factors and one of the most important factors which are often argued
to have considerable impact on the methodological choice is related with research
philosophy. It is therefore important develop valuable understanding about the research
philosophy and follow the one which is most suitable to generate valid and reliable research
inferences. Accordingly, research philosophy deals with the beliefs and assumptions that the
researchers have regarding the subject being studied. Three main types of research

6Importance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention
philosophies commonly applied in social science researches including positivism,
interpretivism and pragmatism. The proposed research study is interpretivist research based
on the philosophy of interpretivism. The interpretivism philosophy is a non-positivist
paradigm of social research, which helps researchers to interpret social phenomenon in terms
of socially constructed meaning (Collis & Hussey, 2009). Moreover, this philosophy rejects
the binary worldview proposed by positivism rather it supports multiple models to address
the various realities of the society like indigenous paradigm and feminist paradigm (Hart,
2010). An important aspect of the interpretivism philosophy is that it enables researchers to
view the world from the experiences and perceptions of the participants. Unlike positivist
research, the interpretivist research help researchers to answer research question in flexible
manner rather than rigid ways. It is anticipated that the interpretivism research philosophy
will help the researcher to develop valuable understanding about what role does social
workers play in domestic violence intervention and how does they help victims of domestic
violence (Thanh & Thanh, 2015; Sefotho, 2015).
Research Method
Two general types of analytical methods are used in social science research including
measurable and qualitative research method. However, in the recent times, the combination
of measurable and qualitative research method has also gained significant popularity among
the research communities. Nonetheless, the proposed research study is grounded on the
qualitative research method. Accordingly, the qualitative research technique involves the use
of non-numerical data and involves interpretation of meaning from the collected non-
numerical data to acquire detail understanding about the social phenomenon (Punch, 2013).
The qualitative research method is usually applied in a research to explore deep meaning
about the participants, feelings as well as experiences (Tong et al., 2012). It is the most
widely used research method in the field of health care, education, psychology and sociology
(Denzin & Lincoln, 2005). In the words of Viswambharan & Priya (2016), qualitative
research method is most appropriate research method in social science for describing and
interpreting social phenomenon in systematic manner from the participant’s point of view and
helps the researchers to generate theories and concepts. At the same time, Thanh & Thanh
(2015) claimed that qualitative research method is most suitable for conducting interpretivist
research study that allows the researchers to develop detailed insight about complex and ever
changing socially constructed reality. It is therefore, the application of qualitative approach in

7Importance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention
proposed research study is anticipated to help the researcher to engage in systematic
investigation of the importance of social workers in domestic abuse and develop a
comprehensive understanding about the same.
Research Design
Researcher design helps the researcher to bring together all the elements of research
to address the research purpose and goals. The choice of the research design is grounded on
the aim of the research. Notably, based on the aim of the research three broad class of designs
are identified including investigative, causal and expressive. Correspondingly, the purpose of
the proposed study is to examine the role of social workers in the domestic violence
intervention which is descriptive in nature (Rwegoshora & Hossea, 2016). Hence, the
expressive research design is considered suitable for the proposed study. The use of
expressive research design in the proposed study would allow the researcher to engage in
holistic description of the importance of community workers in domestic violence prevention
and generate conclusive research findings.
Data Collection
In order to respond the questions, data relevant to the study are gathered from both
field and ancillary sources. The field data for the proposed research are gathered using
narrative interview census. The interview as a field data collection tool has been considered
for the proposed study as it enables researcher to obtain relevant data to respond the research
problem as well as record their feelings and emotions. For conducting interview survey open
ended questions will be framed which will be designed based on the knowledge acquired
from the review of secondary data such as journals, articles and books.
Interview Guide
As noted above, narrative interview will be applied in the proposed study.
Accordingly, in person interview will be conducted with the research participants because it
is anticipated that conducting interview over Skype or telephone would be time consuming
and it would also prevent the researcher from recording the feelings and emotions of the
participants (Bryman, 2012). In addition, sufficient background research will also be
conducted in order to collect most appropriate data for responding the questions. At the same

8Importance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention
time, each participant will be allotted with sufficient time to provide their responses and
narrate their experiences. The responses obtained from the interview participants will be
audio recorded after obtaining their consent.
Sampling
Sampling is an important part of a primary research study. Thus, to conduct interview
survey 15 women in the UK using purposive sampling will be recruited for the proposed
study. The purposive sampling will be used in the proposed study as it enables the researcher
to gather data and responses specific to the research issue (Etikan, Musa & Alkassim, 2015).
Accordingly, only those women will be recruited to share their experience and stories who
had experienced domestic abuse at any point of their life by their intimate partners.
Data analysis
Data analysis is yet another key element of a research study because even if the
collected data are reliable but the poor analysis of the data can generate inconsistent findings.
Hence, sufficient consideration will be placed on the selection of data examination tools and
methods. Correspondingly, the proposed study will involve the use of qualitative thematic
examination tool for the analysing the data obtained from the interview survey. The thematic
analysis is a widely used qualitative analysis tool that deals with classifying, scrutinising, and
reporting themes within data (Neuendorf, 2019). The use of thematic analysis captures
specific themes and patters from dataset in relation to research questions which are then
interpreted to generate study findings.
Ethical Consideration and Limitations
Over the last few decades, the idea of ethics has drawn significant consideration
among the research communities. It has become exceedingly vital for the researchers to
consider ethics while investigating research issue. Particularly in social science research that
involves human variables, researchers are required to preserve high standard of research
ethics. Notably, social research is exploitive and intrusive to a certain extent and involves
individuals who can be categorised as vulnerable (Sobočan, Bertotti & Strom-Gottfried,
2018). With such subjects, there is high possibility of harm, if the researchers are less
sensitive to confidentiality and privacy of the subjects. In the proposed research study,

9Importance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention
initiatives have been taken on upholding the values of research morals throughout the
different phases of the research process. At the same time, respect to the confidentiality and
privacy of the research participants will be duly ensured. In addition, the principle of non-
maleficence will be strictly followed throughout the proposed study and measures such as
confidentiality of data obtained from the interview survey as well as anonymity of the
participant’s identity will be undertaken to prevent any possible harm to the study
participants. Correspondingly, pseudonym will be used to preserve the element of anonymity.
More importantly, informed consent from all the participants well be obtained prior to survey
and the data obtained from the survey will be stored safely. Besides, the ancillary data that
are intended to apply in the study will be cited appropriately using APA referencing style.
Notwithstanding, there are certain limitations associated with the proposed research
study. In this regard, it can be argued that when conducing in-person interview, interviewer
body gesture and expression can have significant impact on the opinions and responses of the
interviewee. Notably, such impact will be eliminated by being neutral, avoiding body gesture
and expressions to a great extent. Moreover, during the analyses of the data, there is a high
possibility that the beliefs and assumptions held by the interviewer to influence the findings.
Nonetheless, a significant effort will be laid on avoiding any sort of manipulation so as to
ensure that the study findings are authentic and free from bias. Considering the small sample
size, one of the important drawbacks of the proposed study is associated with the
generalizability of the study findings. Knowing that, the researcher in the proposed study will
attempt to include the most common experience of the participants and the general findings
thus obtained from the analysis will be verified with the findings obtained in the previous
studies.
Conclusion
The purpose of the proposed research is to assess the importance of community
workers in domestic violence intervention. To achieve this aims, the proposed study involves
the application of qualitative interpretivist approach. In addition, data relevant to the study
will be gathered using narrative interview census from 15 women that have experienced
domestic abuse in the UK. The field data thus gathered from the census will be analysed
using thematic analysis tool. Besides, sufficient attention will also be laid on preserving the
principle of research ethics throughout the research process.

10Importance of Social Workers in Domestic Abuse Prevention
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