scholarly journals A Critical Review of Theory in Social Work Journals: A Replication Study

10.18060/132 ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn S. Gentle-Genitty ◽  
Virgil Gregory ◽  
Corey Pfahler ◽  
Misty Thomas ◽  
Lisa Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Quality Ratings ◽  
Quality Scale

The purpose of this paper is multifold.Key aspects discussed include exploring the extent of theory discussion and progression in social work journals for the year 2004; discussing the necessity of theory in social work research and practice; reviewing previous research literature regarding evaluation of theory discussion and progression; proposing criteria for defining theory in social work journals; and presenting findings from the current study concerning theory discussion and progression in social work journals. Results: Of the 1,168 articles reviewed from 37 journals, 71 (approximately 6%) met the criteria for theory development with empirical base. Thus, a minimal number of articles (3 out of 71 or 4.2%) evaluated, based on the criteria in the theory quality scale (Table 1), received high quality ratings. Conclusion: Based on the results yielded by the analysis, we assert that social workers need to make a conscious effort to include theory in practice decisions.

Narrative resistance in social work research and practice: Counter-storying in the pursuit of social justice

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne McKenzie-Mohr ◽  
Michelle N Lafrance
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Master Narratives ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Counter Narratives ◽  
Practical Guidance

In this article, we propose ‘narrative resistance’ as a potent and useful concept for both social work research and practice. A concept that attends to power and oppression, narrative resistance provides a platform for tangible applications to support people’s efforts to resist harmful storyings of their lives. The aim of this article is to provide practical guidance for how social workers can attend to and support people’s acts of narrative resistance. This is achieved by introducing the functions of narrative in people’s lives and its inextricable links to power; discussing ‘master narratives’ and their potential for harm; and exploring narrative resistance by articulating the role of ‘counter narratives’ as a means to ‘talk back’ to injurious master narratives. The remainder of the article outlines considerations, skills and tools required to enhance counter-storying efforts in the service of emancipatory change. We spotlight examples of narrative resistance in the literature to illustrate the pragmatic mobilization of this work.

Sociological social work: a case example

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Sociological Research ◽  
Underlying Assumption ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research

This chapter discusses social work in relation to other fields and disciplines. The underlying assumption is that social work research and practice have much to gain by welcoming their relationship to other bordering fields — particularly sociology. First, the chapter outlines the scope and nature of what sociological social work might encompass. Second, it looks at how sociologists and social workers have understood their relationship. The heart of this section is an introduction to a series of sociologists who are doing work that treats social work as of sociological interest. Finally, the chapter outlines a case about how the methods of inquiry that are associated with qualitative sociological research are open to ‘translation’ such that they may become a form of practice.

scholarly journals Indigenization and authentization of epistemology in China’s social work: Moving beyond Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism

2021 ◽  
pp. 002087282110416
Author(s):  
Kedi Zhao ◽  
Weijia Tan ◽  
A Ka Tat Tsang
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Chinese Culture ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chinese Buddhism ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Work Limitations ◽  
Future Research Directions

How China’s social work can establish its own epistemology has remained largely unexplored. This article focuses on Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism to start this epistemological exploration, as they represent Chinese culture and can provide valuable epistemological elements for China’s social work. Moving beyond epistemological elements from these philosophies, how social workers in China can further develop social work research and practice based on the unique Chinese context is also discussed, specifically through the processes of indigenization and authentization of epistemology in China’s social work. Limitations and future research directions are also presented to guide future discussion.

The Helpful Brain? Translations of Neuroscience into Social Work

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret F Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Social Difference ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Critical Social Work ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Do So

Abstract What do the many translations of ‘the brain’ from the domain of neuroscience offer to social work researchers? Drawing upon disability studies and critical social work, this article examines trends and tensions across ‘neuro’ writing in social work journals and summarises some commonly recommended practices. Neuroscientific discourse has undeniable cultural influence and offers distinctive forms of evidence to social workers. Social work scholars have strategically translated neuroscience findings to access greater disciplinary status, to counter neo-liberal onslaughts on public services, to communicate on inter-disciplinary teams and to address calls for ‘new’ scholarship. At the same time, many writers readily acknowledge that they use neuroscience to justify or even revive well-established social work practices and theories. A unidirectional strategy of translation across disciplines comes with inherent risks of reinforcing hierarchy, ignoring social difference and undermining the value of social work research and practice. Neurodiversity discourse offers one example of ‘neuro’ argumentation where social justice and neuroscience have intertwined and may present an opportunity for a different type of social work translation. Social workers should be prepared to engage with neuroscience but must do so in ways that consistently reinforce social justice commitments and include a wide array of perspectives.

scholarly journals Giving up the ghost: Findings on fathers and social work from a study of pre-birth child protection

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502110194
Author(s):  
Ariane Critchley
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Research Interviews ◽  
Expectant Fathers ◽  
The Relationship

This article reports findings from an ethnographic study of pre-birth child protection, conducted in an urban Scottish setting. The study was designed to explore the interactions between practitioners and families in the context of child protection involvement during a pregnancy. This research aimed to understand the activities that constituted pre-birth child protection assessment, and the meaning attached to those activities by social workers and expectant parents. Very different perspectives on fathers and fatherhood emerged through the study. Fathers shared their feelings of familial tenderness in the context of research interviews. Yet social workers often focused on the risks that the fathers posed. This focus on risk led professionals to ignore or exclude fathers in significant ways. Fathers were denied opportunities to take an active role in their families and care planning for their infants, whilst mothers were over-responsibilised. Children meanwhile were potentially denied the relationship, care and identity benefits of involved fatherhood. This article shows how pre-birth child protection processes and practice can function so as to limit the contribution of expectant fathers. The way that fathers and fathering are understood continues to be a wider problem for social work, requiring development through research and practice. This study was not immune to the challenge of involving men in social work research in meaningful ways. Nevertheless, the findings highlight how participation in social work research can create a forum for fathers to share their concerns, and the importance of their perspective for practice.

scholarly journals Emotional intelligence as a part of critical reflection in social work practice and research

2021 ◽  
pp. 147332502110247
Author(s):  
Mari D Herland
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Emotional Aspects

Social workers often experience higher levels of burnout compared with other healthcare professionals. The capacity to manage one’s own emotional reactions efficiently, frequently in complex care settings, is central to the role of social workers. This article highlights the complexity of emotions in social work research and practice by exploring the perspective of emotional intelligence. The article is both theoretical and empirical, based on reflections from a qualitative longitudinal study interviewing fathers with behavioural and criminal backgrounds, all in their 40 s. The analysis contains an exploration of the researcher position that illuminates the reflective, emotional aspects that took place within this interview process. Three overall themes emerged – first: Recognising emotional complexity; second: Reflecting on emotional themes; and third: Exploring my own prejudices and preconceptions. The findings apply to both theoretical and practical social work, addressing the need to understand emotions as a central part of critical reflection and reflexivity. The argument is that emotions have the potential to expand awareness of one’s own preconceptions, related to normative societal views. This form of analytical awareness entails identifying and paying attention to one’s own, sometimes embodied, emotional triggers.

scholarly journals Achieving Juvenile Justice through Abolition: A Critical Review of Social Work’s Role in Shaping the Juvenile Legal System and Steps toward Achieving an Antiracist Future

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 211
Author(s):  
Durrell M. Washington ◽  
Toyan Harper ◽  
Alizé B. Hill ◽  
Lester J. Kern
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Legal System ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Deviant Behavior ◽  
Juvenile Court ◽  
Black Youth ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Juvenile Courts

The first juvenile court was created in 1899 with the help of social workers who conceptualized their actions as progressive. Youth were deemed inculpable for certain actions since, cognitively, their brains were not as developed as those of adults. Thus, separate measures were created to rehabilitate youth who exhibited delinquent and deviant behavior. Over one hundred years later, we have a system that disproportionately arrests, confines, and displaces Black youth. This paper critiques social work’s role in helping develop the first juvenile courts, while highlighting the failures of the current juvenile legal system. We then use P.I.C. abolition as a theoretical framework to offer guidance on how social work can once again assist in the transformation of the juvenile legal system as a means toward achieving true justice.

Theorien für die Soziale Arbeit

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael May ◽  
Arne Schäfer
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Soziale Arbeit ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Dialectical Theory ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Critical Social Work ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Capability Approach

he now second, updated and expanded edition of the textbook first establishes the importance of theory for social work research and practice After offering an outline of the historical development of theory in this field, it presents the most important theories used in social work at the moment. The book presents approaches related to systems theory, power and discourse analysis, and psychoanalysis, plus lifeworld-oriented and feminist approaches as well as those related to coping strategies and to a materialistic–dialectical theory of critical social work, including elements provided by the capability approach. It is rounded off by a systematic comparison of the theoretical approaches and an outlook on theory development in social work. With contributions by Maria Bitzan, Margret Dörr, Cornelia Füssenhäuser, Fabian Kessl, Michael Klassen, Michael May, Arne Schäfer, Silvia Staub-Bernasconi, Michael Winkler and Holger Ziegler.

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