Question

The NASW Code of Ethics makes a number of statements about social workers’ responsibility to study, use, and engage in research and evaluation. In the past, many social workers had difficulty thinking of themselves as knowledgeable and capable in research, despite completing the required research course in school. Think of yourself as a part of a new breed of social workers. You are completing your education at a point in time that places great emphasis on both research and evaluation. You also have greater access to published research than ever before. Research knowledge and skills are like muscles—if you do not use them, they will atrophy. You have an ethical obligation as a social worker to exercise and flex your research muscle. Consider how the NASW Code of Ethics guides your professional research.

Post an analysis of how you would present the results of the evaluation to a group of social work colleagues. Identify the background information that you think they would need and the key message of your presentation. Explain the strategies that you might use to meet your colleagues’ interests and goals. Identify questions that your colleagues might have and what their reactions might be.

Answer 1

NASW code of ethics for social workers includes the merger of seven social work organizations started in 1955 with the following aims and rules:

• working for the benefit of the people in the society.
• work with determination and confidence for the welfare of the society.
• maintaining the quality and standards of practice through organization of workshops and spreading awareness among people in the society.
• dignity, prestige and honour should be there in serving people in the society.
• there should be an inner zeal and passion in a person to solve the problems of the common man in the society.

There are a set of values, principles, rules and regulations which are followed by colleagues and friends working in the same social work organization. The code and conduct of the social workers is closely monitored by an ethical committee and they should not be involved in unethical behavior among themselves in the organization. They should accustom themselves to face the toughest situations with dilemma and confusion in life. There are various social work theory and rules for managing the situations related to work ethics among the employees in the work organization.There are law agencies and government law organizations which take care of the rules and regulations and solve the ethical disputes in the social work organization.

The ethical principles include:

• service with determination, dignity and honor- The social workers should be motivated to work and help people in the society in the worst situations of natural calamities and disasters.
• fight the social injustice with action of law.
• dignity and worth of the person in the society with following of the fundamental rights. There are law rules which preseve the integrity and worth of the people in the society with understanding of the moral codes of conduct.
• integrity and understanding of the situations experianced by the social workers.

The questions which are needed to be asked among the colleagues include:

• whether they are following the ethical codes of conduct?
• whether they have determination and motivation to serve the poor people affected by the natural calamities?
• whether they can solve the situations demanding a lot of effort and hardwork?