A research design is the overall plan or blueprint that guides the entire research process. It provides a systematic framework for collecting, measuring, analyzing, and interpreting data in order to answer the research questions or test hypotheses. In social work research, a well-developed research design ensures that the study is scientifically sound, ethically conducted, and capable of producing reliable and valid findings. It helps researchers organize their work efficiently and minimizes errors that may affect the quality of the research. One of the primary purposes of a research design is to provide direction for the research project. It clearly specifies what the researcher intends to study, why the study is important, and how the investigation will be carried out. By defining objectives, research questions, variables, and methods in advance, the research design keeps the study focused and prevents unnecessary deviations from the research problem. A research design helps in selecting the most appropriate research approach. Depending on the nature of the problem, a researcher may choose a qualitative, quantitative,