Elizabeth DePoy is a professor at University of Maine School of Social Work where she has taught research and evaluation methods for 28 years. Her scholarship in social work focuses on methods of inquiry and particularly on integrating research, evaluation, and professional practice. She has co-authored 15 books and over 100 articles and presents her work locally through globally. Her most recent books include Branding and Designing Disability, and the 5th edition of Introduction to Research. Stephen Gilson is professor at the University of Maine where he teaches human behavior in the social environment, diversity theory, and biology for social workers. His own work is informed by systematic inquiry and thus he is committed to the synthesis of practice and research within social work. Stephen has authored/coauthored 12 books and over 80 articles including Branding and Designing Disability and Evaluation Practice. He presents his work nationally and internationally.

"What I like most about this text is that it taught students to think critically about theory and provided them with the tools for doing so. From this perspective this is a very valuable text for graduate students."

• Section 1- Introduction to Theory1. Introduction: And There Was Theory2. The scope of human behavior and experience in diverse environments: Overview of Theory TypesSection 2- Closely Examining Theories of Humans in Environments3. Developmental Theories: Looking at humans over time4. Theories which look at individuals developing as a whole: Grand Theories5. Theories which look at individuals developing as parts: Specific Theories6. Foundations of Environmental Theories7. Environment Theories I8. Environment Theories II9. Foundations of Population Specific Theories10. Population Specific Theories I: Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Religion, Class11. Population Specific Theories II: Gender12. Population Specific Theories III: Disability Introduction13. Systems theories: Classic and Contemporary14. New and Emergent TheoriesSection 3- Application to Social Work Thinking, Knowledge, Values, Ethics and Practice15. Guidelines for Application to Social Work16. Application of Development Theories to Social Work17. Application of Environmental Theory to Social Work18. Application of Population Specific Theories to Social Work19. Application of Systems Theories to Social Work20. Application of New and Emerging Theories to Social Work21. Putting Theory to WorkReferences