A professional who plans, organizes, and conducts research for use in understanding social problems and for planning and carrying out social welfare programs. Responsibilities include:

• Develops research designs on basis of existing knowledge and evolving theory.
• Constructs and tests methods of data collection.
• Collects information and makes judgments through observation, interview, and review of documents.
• Analyzes and evaluates data.
• Writes reports containing descriptive, analytical, and evaluative content.
• Interprets methods employed and findings to individuals within agency and community.
• May direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others.
• May collaborate with research workers in other disciplines.
• May be employed in voluntary or governmental social welfare agencies, community welfare councils, and schools of social work.