Translational Social Research

Driven by a strong belief in data-driven service planning, NCSS examines various areas of research relating to service users and the social service sector. The study findings produced seek to provide impactful insights that can inform policy and contribute to developing evidence-based initiatives led by NCSS, social service agencies and other stakeholders in the sector.
To achieve this, NCSS designs and conducts nationwide surveys of identified service users and target groups. Data collected is then analysed using a variety of frameworks such as those measuring participants’ quality of life, attitudes/perceptions, or compared against other data sets to track changes that have occurred over time. Our study findings may be found under the “Research Publications” tab.
NCSS also provides research-related platforms, resources and tools for social service agencies who are NCSS members to build up their evaluation and research capabilities. These may be found under the “Research Engagements” and “Research Resources” tabs.

Research Publications

NCSS helms flagship studies such as the Quality of Life, Public Attitudes and Social Service Sector Survey series. We have also launched the Sector Evaluation Framework in September 2021.

We also welcome collaboration with partners to conduct joint studies, publish papers in academic peer-reviewed journals, and present these findings on shared platforms.

Quality of Life studies

Understanding the Quality of Life of Caregivers

Understanding the Quality of Life of Children and Youth

Understanding the Quality of Life of Adults with Disabilities

Understanding the Quality of Life of Adults with Mental Health Issues

Understanding the Quality of Life of Seniors

Public Attitudes

Study on Public Attitudes Towards Persons with Mental Health Conditions

Study on Public Attitudes Towards Persons with Disabilities

Social Service Sector Survey

Social Service Sector Survey 2018-2020

Topical Studies

Research Engagements

Presentation of NCSS studies at NUS Social Service Research Centre Seminar Series

On 7 September 2022, NCSS was invited to share key findings from the Quality of Life of Caregivers study during the September session of NUS SSR's monthly seminar series.

Join us on 7 December 2022 (Wednesday) as we share key findings from the Social Service Sector Survey 2021/2022. The link to the livestream will be posted closer to the event.

Roundtable Discussions with social service agencies

To facilitate mutual sharing of resources, best practice and areas of improvements during research, NCSS will be hosting half-day roundtable discussions with researchers and staff from social service agencies.

Stay tuned for updates on future events in this series!

Evaluation & Research Seminar

We thank all who tuned in to our E&R Seminar on 1 August 2022 where resources, tips and best practices were shared by NCSS and social service agencies.

Stay tuned for updates on future events in this series!

Research Resources

Research Pulse

This e-newsletter consolidates and highlights the latest research findings, resources and platforms from NCSS for member agencies, volunteer researchers and academic partners.

To join the mailing list for the Research Pulse, please email research@ncss.gov.sg.

Social Service Sector Repository

A first-of-its-kind online database, the Repository houses rigorous research conducted by NCSS member agencies and public service agencies on topics relevant to the sector.

Registration is free for NCSS member agencies (one shared account per agency). To sign up for an account, please fill in the Registration for the Social Service Sector Repository form.

Scholarly Journal Database

NCSS subscribes to the EBSCO scholarly journal database and provides free access to our member agencies (one shared account per agency).

To apply for a new account or check the login details registered to your agency, please email research@ncss.gov.sg.

NCSS Ethics Review Committee

The NCSS Ethics Review Committee (ERC) provides an accessible, timely and robust ethics review platform for research studies that social services agencies would like to conduct.

Volunteer Researcher Matching Service

NCSS provides this service to match volunteer researchers with social service agencies that require assistance with research projects (e.g. consultancy, advice, data analysis).

To apply, please fill in the Application for Volunteer Researcher Matching form.

Online Interactive Dashboards

To enable more targeted and data-driven service planning in the social service sector, NCSS is developing a series of interactive dashboards using data from our research studies. These dashboards supplement the findings released through our study reports and together, allow social service agencies easy access to insights for specific groups of service users.

The dashboards from our Quality of Life of Caregivers study have just been developed and released as linked. Watch this space as we progressively add more dashboards!

Interactive Dashboards: Understanding the Quality of Life of Caregivers

Sector Evaluation Framework

The Sector Evaluation Framework aims to provide a common language to consider progress and impact across NCSS-funded programmes, while allowing for flexibility at the programme level. The Framework is one which all stakeholders can use as a consistent set of measures for evaluation.
NCSS is currently working on a playbook to guide SSAs in applying the SEF Framework. Stay tuned for more updates!