What motivates people to become social workers and the extent of the match between the anticipated and the experience in the role?

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My thanks go out to all who have helped me complete this study and with whom this project may have not been possible. In particular, my gratitude goes out to friends, facilitator and family for extensive and helpful comments on early drafts. I am also deeply indebted to the authors who have shared my interest and preceded me. Their works provided me with a host of information to learn from and build upon, also served as examples to emulate.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare that the following dissertation and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been published or submitted before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and take on the topic and is does not represent the opinion of the University.

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ABSTRACT

This research study is an attempt to study the factors that motivates people to become social workers and the extent of the match between the anticipated and the experience in the role. The main emphasis of this research study is on the various motivations an individual might have to pursue the profession of social work, such possible influences including altruism, the aspiration to utilize leadership skills, the nature of the undergraduate education and work experience, the application of political goals, concerns with multiculturalism, and differences in gender, social class, and race, ethnicity, or religion. The methodology adopted for this research study is qualitative. For this research study 28 participants have been chosen and these participants have been divided in to 3 groups of samples.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION1

1.1. Background of the Study1

1.2. Aims and Objectives4

1.3. Research Questions5

1.4. Significance of the Research Study5

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW8

2.1. Introduction8

2.2. Literature on Social Workers8

2.3. Humanity and Motivation for Social Workers21

2.4. Religious Motivation22

2.5. Research or Humanistic Social Work24

2.6. Multicultural Integration in Social Work Practice24

2.7. Motivation and Leadership25

2.8. Motivation and Political Values25

2.9. Gender Difference and the Social Work Profession27

2.10. Undergraduate Study and Choice of Occupation27

2.11. Race, Ethnicity, and Class28

2.12. Work Experience and Choice of Occupation29

2.13. Conclusion31

CHAPTER 03: METHODOLOGY, METHODS AND RESEARCH DESIGN32

3.1. Introduction32

3.2. Method Choices32

3.2.1. Sample 132

3.2.2. Sample 232

3.2.3. Sample 333

3.3. Overview of the Qualitative Research Approaches33

3.4. Questionnaires33

3.5. Types of Questionnaires34

3.6. Ethical Concerns34

3.7. Sample35

3.8. Confidentiality35

3.9. Informed Consent36

3.10. Reliability and Validity36

3.11. Limitations of the Research38

3.11.1. Time Constraints38

3.11.2. Sample size38

3.11.3. Honesty of the respondents and Interviewee38

3.12. Conclusion39

CHAPTER 04: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS40

4.1. Introduction40

4.2. Interview Analysis (Sample 1)40

4.3. Interview Analysis (Sample 2 and 3)48

CHAPTER 05: CONCLUSION52

5.1. Implications for Future Research52

5.2. Implications for Social Work Practice52

5.3. Recommendations for Social Work53

REFERENCES58

APPENDIX64

QUESTIONNAIRE 164

QUESTIONNAIRE 280

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study

This research study has been conducted in order to explore the personal reasons and circumstances that motivate the individuals to pursue social work as a profession. An understanding of the reasons why students or professionals have chosen to work with a particular population is imperative as these factors are reflected in their work and in their personal ...