Applied social research studies draw upon social science knowledge and research methods to describe, explain, and predict issues that have practical program implications.

Applied Social Research Examples

• Conduct equity and gender-based analysis (e.g., GBA+) to assess how diverse groups experience programs, policies, initiatives, and projects.
  

• Summarize and clarify the current literature on a topic related to your program.
  

• Assess the needs of the program’s target populations in order to enhance program relevance.
  

• Conduct environmental scans and benchmark effective practices in order to inform program development.
  

• Identify means of increasing stakeholder/client satisfaction.
  

• Understand the underlying factors that influence the behaviours, attitudes, and perceptions of the program’s target populations.
  

• Analyze archival/historical data to predict the occurrence of a desired program outcome.
  

• Test the effectiveness of a pilot project or new initiative.