Practice and Research

Ian F. Shaw, Professor of Social Work, University of York, UK

'This volume, based on the work of one of the leading scholars in the field, is a major resource which provides valuable insights into the purpose and process of researching social work. The reflective introduction constitutes a significant history, both personal and disciplinary, that is essential reading for all wanting to understand the relationship between theory, research and practice.' Joan Orme, University of Glasgow, UK 'It is exciting to read this collection of thoughtful and provocative essays by Professor Ian Shaw, centered around the topic of social work research and practice. His views are at the cutting edge of Europaean developments in contemporary social work philosophy of science and research methodology. This work is most highly recommended for social worker scholars and practitioners.' Bruce A. Thyer, Florida State University, USA

• Contents: Introduction; Part I Perspectives on Social Work Research: Cutting edge issues in social work research; Is social work distinctive?; Ways of knowing in social work; Rereading The Jack Roller: hidden histories in sociology and social work; William J. Reid: an appreciation. Part II Evaluation: Social work and the human services; Evidence from qualitative evaluation; Seeing the trees for the wood: the politics of evaluating in practice; Evaluation for a learning organization? Part III Qualitative Research: Qualitative social work: a room with a view; Qualitative research and outcomes in health, social work and education; Ethics and the practice of qualitative research; Constructing causal accounts in social work; The consequences of qualitative social work research; Unbroken voices: children, young people and qualitative methods. Part IV Research, Theory and Practice: The quality of mercy: the management of quality in the personal social services; Game plans, buzzes and sheer luck: doing well in social work; Practitioner evaluation at work; Evaluating in practice; Culture and the indigenisation of quality in Third World social research. Part V Service Users and Research: Consumer opinion and social policy: a research review; Consumer evaluations of the personal social services; Engaging the user: participation, empowerment and the rhetoric of quality; Just inquiry? Research and evaluation for service users; Users; and practitioners' research; Indexes.