From time to time, the College posts links to research projects which may be of interest to registrants. Registrants may wish to consider these opportunities as part of their Continuing Competence Program (CCP).
In order to be included on this page, research must:
- Be directly related to social work and/or social service work practice and/or regulation.
- Contribute to ethical and professional practice.
- Relate directly or indirectly to the mandate of the College.
- Build upon the knowledge base of the social work and/or social service work professions.
- Have received ethics board approval.
- Be conducted under the auspices of an employer, an accredited university or other organization satisfactory to the Registrar.
Disclaimer: The College provides these links only as a convenience. The College does not sponsor or endorse, and is not affiliated or associated with any of the research related to these links. See the College’s Terms and Conditions for more information. The Registrar may, in the Registrar’s sole discretion, deny a request to post a research link.
Current Research Opportunities
Research Study: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Training in Supporting the Well-Being of Non-Profit Service Providers
Researcher: Hemali Patel
Description: If you are over 18, directly provide services to vulnerable populations, and have worked at a non-profit organization for at least 3 months, you are invited to participate in an anonymous online survey exploring how training programs support non-profit service providers in managing the emotional and physical challenges of working with vulnerable populations. This study is being conducted as part of a Master’s program in Occupation and Public Health at Toronto Metropolitan University.
- Purpose: To enhance training programs, better support the well-being of non-profit service providers, and increase representation of non-profit workers in research.
- Time: Approximately 15-20 minutes
- Reward: Enter your name in a draw to win a $50 Amazon gift card
Survey: https://forms.gle/nx3Bnownj1tegew79
End Date: June 1, 2026
Research study : Adaptation and Validation of a Questionnaire Measuring Practitioners’ Emotional Experience
Researcher : Julie Maheux
Description : You are invited to participate in an anonymous online survey focused on emotional challenges associated with helping roles. This is a project of the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières (CER-18-251-07.16), in collaboration with the University of Otago in New Zealand.
- Time: Approximately 20 to 30 minutes
- Impact: Help develop new tools to support professionals like you
- Reward: Enter a draw for a chance to win one of several 25$ gift cards
- Privacy: Participation is voluntary and anonymous
End date : Juin 1, 2026
Research Study: Knowledge and Attitudes of Canadian Healthcare Providers on Cannabis Use During Pregnancy
Researcher: Kirstin Surovy
Description: Cannabis use in pregnancy is becoming more common, yet not much is known about how healthcare providers view and respond to cannabis use during pregnancy. This survey will explore Canadian healthcare providers’ thoughts on cannabis use in pregnancy, the information they rely on, and how confident they feel when discussing it with patients.
Participation involves completing a 20-minute online survey on your knowledge and attitudes on perinatal cannabis use. Participants will have the opportunity to enter in for a draw of one of five $50 gift cards.
This study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB25-1356).
Survey: https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_3ksFz23eqmQbHWC
Research study: From Past to Present: Exploring How Past Experiences Shape the Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals
Researcher: Maya E. Amestoy
Description: You are invited to participate in a short online survey exploring how Canadian mental health professionals’ past and current experiences influence their attitudes toward patient care, treatment approaches, and workplace dynamics. The study is open to clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, nurses, counsellors, and psychiatrists who have at least one year of experience working directly with patients in hospital or private practice settings and are currently living and working in Canada.
Participation involves completing a 20 minute online survey, which includes hypothetical vignettes and brief self-report questionnaires. Participants will receive a $10 CAD honorarium for their time.
This study is being conducted at the University of Toronto Scarborough in the Department of Psychological Clinical Science and has received ethics approval.
Survey: https://utorontopsych.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_72RaRn0n8Zgadfg
Research study: Social Workers’ Experiences in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice within Northern Ontario Healthcare Settings.
Researcher: Jennifer Bailey
Description: The purpose of this study is to construct an understanding of the experiences in interprofessional collaborative practice in both educational and professional settings and support social workers to develop and maintain competency for interprofessional collaborative practice. The purpose and goals of this work seeks to contribute to the practice of social work and is being conducted under supervision of Laurentian University as part of my requirements to obtain a MSW. It has received approval from the Research Ethics Board at Laurentian University.
For more information: http://www.ocswssw.org/wp-content/uploads/Recruitment-Poster.Bailey.pdf.
If you have a question regarding one or more of the above research opportunities, please contact the appropriate researcher(s). If you are a researcher and would like to post your project on this webpage, please contact the College’s Director of Professional Practice, Christina Van Sickle, RSW, at cvansickle@ocswssw.org.