| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
© British Association of Social Workers
Practice Validity, Reflexivity and Knowledge for Social Work
Michael Sheppard is Professor of Social Work at the University of Plymouth
Correspondence to Professor Michael Sheppard, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK
Summary
In the last few years there have been significant developments in conceptualizing the role and nature of knowledge in social work. This has been based on a fundamental review of epistemological, ethical and theoretical facets of social work and its knowledge base. Amongst some of the most significant developments have been the emergence of new concepts (for social work) such as process knowledge, reflexivity and a range of ideas relating to hypotheses. In a recent article, Susan White (1997) sought to critique some of my ideas on this matter. This article represents a response to her paper; one which uses the opportunity to draw out wider issues for a general theory of social work knowledge. In particular, it focuses on three key dimensions: the centrality of the concept of practice validity, the importance of a concept of reflexivity which is not simply transferred from the discipline of sociology but which has a social work-specific meaning, and the dangers of an unrestrained relativism.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  P. Jones Teaching for Change in Social Work: A Discipline-Based Argument for the Use of Transformative Approaches to Teaching and Learning Journal of Transformative Education, January 1, 2009; 7(1): 8 - 25. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. Trevithick Revisiting the Knowledge Base of Social Work: A Framework for Practice Br. J. Soc. Work, September 1, 2008; 38(6): 1212 - 1237. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Woodcock and C. Tregaskis Understanding Structural and Communication Barriers to Ordinary Family Life for Families with Disabled Children: A Combined Social Work and Social Model of Disability Analysis Br. J. Soc. Work, January 1, 2008; 38(1): 55 - 71. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Jurgen Goppner and J. Hamalainen Developing a Science of Social Work Journal of Social Work, December 1, 2007; 7(3): 269 - 287. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Butler, D. Ford, and C. Tregaskis Who Do We Think We Are?: Self and Reflexivity in Social Work Practice Qualitative Social Work, September 1, 2007; 6(3): 281 - 299. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. D'Cruz, P. Gillingham, and S. Melendez Reflexivity, its Meanings and Relevance for Social Work: A Critical Review of the Literature Br. J. Soc. Work, January 1, 2007; 37(1): 73 - 90. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. M. Lam, H. Wong, and T. T. F. Leung An Unfinished Reflexive Journey: Social Work Students' Reflection on their Placement Experiences Br. J. Soc. Work, January 1, 2007; 37(1): 91 - 105. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Fargion Thinking Professional Social Work: Expertise and Professional Ideologies in Social Workers' Accounts of Their Practice Journal of Social Work, December 1, 2006; 6(3): 255 - 273. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Houston Philosophy, Theory and Method in Social Work: Challenging Empiricism's Claim on Evidence-based Practice Journal of Social Work, April 1, 2005; 5(1): 7 - 20. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. F. Gilgun and L. S. Abrams The Nature and Usefulness of Qualitative Social Work Research: Some Thoughts and an Invitation to Dialogue Qualitative Social Work, March 1, 2002; 1(1): 39 - 55. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. J. Reid The Role of Science in Social Work: The Perennial Debate Journal of Social Work, December 1, 2001; 1(3): 273 - 293. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Taylor and S. White Knowledge, Truth and Reflexivity: The Problem of Judgement in Social Work Journal of Social Work, April 1, 2001; 1(1): 37 - 59. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|