Trends in articles published in The Indian Journal of Social Work, 1971-1990

Using a method of content analysis, this study reviews a stratified random sample of 194 research articles published in The Indian Journal of Social Work from 1971 to 1990 to identify the background characteristics of authors and document the trends in empirical content, subject area and methodological characteristics in terms of source of data and research design. The analysis reveals that social work/social science educators contributed a significant number of articles during the period and a majority of the articles are written by men as compared to women, Around 50 per cent of the sample comprises empirical articles but the percentage of non-empirical articles showed a slight increase over the years. A majority of the articles have focused upon the subject areas such as Family, Child and Social Work, Community Development, and Personnel Management. Only a few, that is less than 15 per cent al the articles of the sample, are devoted to women's issues. Quantitative-descriptive studies, mostly employing survey research designs, are in higher proportion while qualitative and analytical studies are not many. Only a few articles used control/comparison groups. Of the 95 articles which mentioned any sampling procedures, non-probability sampling plans are found to be the order.