Community Social Work: An Opportunity for Research

Abstract

This article presents the findings of research conducted by seventeen (17) undergraduate students in the Bachelor’s Degree program in Social Work. The study was carried out in the community of Vista Hermosa, located in the Pedregal district, David, from September 15 to December 9, 2023, as part of the academic requirements for the course Integral Social Work Practice 1. The general objective was to describe the social conditions of the Vista Hermosa community, while the specific objectives were to develop a social diagnosis and design a community intervention proposal. This is justified because there is no previously conducted study. It has a quantitative approach, the scope is exploratory, descriptive and the design is non-experimental, cross-sectional, since it was conducted in a single moment. The sample of the total population included 57 heads of households residing in the community. Data collection techniques and instruments included observation, interviews, and surveys, all conducted with the informed consent of participants. As a result, the students applied the social work method encompassing its phases: research, diagnosis, planning, evaluation and systematization of the results. As for the conclusion, it is important to point out that the objectives were met. That is, the social reality of Vista Hermosa was thoroughly described, a social diagnosis was developed and validated through community consensus, and a community intervention proposal was created, outlining the planning of four social projects. In summary, the supervising instructor fulfilled the role of mentor, providing guidance, orientation, and oversight throughout the process. Meanwhile, the students acted as researchers