Amendment to DSWD Research Guidelines

The Order is issued to sustain DSWD efforts in setting up and strengthening policy guidelines for the conduct of studies/researches in DSWD offices, centers, and institutions.
The Order is also issued to facilitate appropriate actions relating to the conduct and approval of research activities in DSWD.

The Order institutes specified changes as an addendum to, and amends, Administrative Order No. 10, series of 2006.
The operative amendments are focused on Operational Guidelines and Institutional Arrangement.
The requirements and procedures in these amended parts are to be followed together with the operational framework of Administrative Order No. 10, series of 2006.

A detailed research protocol must be submitted together with the prescribed research request form.
The detailed research protocol must contain the following components:
- the general and/or specific objectives;
- the statement of the problem;
- the background/significance of the study;
- the scope and de/limitation; and
- the methodology.

All research proposals of students/researchers must be submitted directly to the Policy Development and Planning Bureau (PDPB).
The PDPB is responsible for actions that occur prior to approval of the Secretary.
Before the Secretary’s approval, the PDPB must:
- conduct review and assessment using required information as indicated in the operational requirements under Item No. 2 (and its sub-items) of Administrative Order No. 10 and the amendment; and
- prepare a recommendation for the Secretary’s consideration/approval using a checklist of requirements.
The PDPB recommendation must be anchored on or relevant to the Department’s current efforts in formulating and improving social welfare and development policies, programs, and services.
After the Secretary approves the proposed research activities, the PDPB must:
- prepare endorsements on the approved research activities to the Field Offices concerned; and
- consolidate reports from the Field Offices every semester for an inventory of research activity proposals approved and undertaken.

If research proposals are submitted by students/researchers to Field Offices (FOs), the Planning Unit at the FOs assumes responsibility for the required review steps.
The FO Planning Unit must:
- conduct review and assessment using required information as indicated in the operational requirements under Item No. 2 (and its sub-items) of Administrative Order No. 10 and the amendment; and
- prepare a recommendation using the checklist of requirements, and endorse the research activity proposals to the Central Office for the Secretary’s consideration/approval.
After the Secretary approves the proposed research activities, the FO Planning Unit must:
- prepare endorsements for approved research activities for coordination with the appropriate centers and institutions or other DSWD facilities of the Department at the respective regions; and
- prepare endorsements for Terminal Reports submitted by students and other researchers to the Office of the Secretary at the Central Office; and
- prepare the inventory of research activity proposals approved and undertaken every semester of the year.
The PDPB at the Central Office and the Planning Unit at the Field Offices must also monitor compliance of researchers/students with the Operational Guidelines, including:
- ensuring submission of a terminal report following completion; and
- ensuring fulfillment of research instruments and methods.

If certain requests to undertake researches/studies are not recommended for approval, researchers/students may seek advice from:
- the PDPB at the Central Office, or
- the Planning Unit at the Field Offices.
The advice must support redesigning/revising research instruments, methods, and/or other salient areas so the proposals comply with the Department’s conditions.
Researchers/students may resubmit research activity proposals for further consideration after such redesign/revision.

The Field Offices must submit reports to the PDPB every semester of each year regarding the inventory of research/studies conducted.
The reporting form must include the following information:
- titles of researches;
- proponents;
- methods employed;
- instruments used (including interview, survey, or other forms of test undertaken with respondents or samples using questionnaires);
- date of completion; and
- remarks indicating compliance with the provisions of Administrative Order No. 10, specifically indicating the status on submission of the terminal report.

The Order takes effect immediately.
The Order supplements and amends Administrative Order No. 10, series of 2006.
The Order was adopted on February 27, 2007, signed by Dr. Esperanza I. Cabral, Secretary.