The Science of Social Work and Its Relationship to Social Work Practice

Abstract

As John Brekke has observed, social work does not use the word ''science'' to define itself, suggesting a need to articulate a science of social work. This article discusses the science of social work and its relationship to social work practice in the United States, arguing that a ''rapprochement'' between practice and science should be effected to their mutual benefit. It begins by unpacking both the definitions of social work and of science; considers epistemologies; and underlines the importance of theory in social work science and practice. The article concludes with ideas for identifying common ground and enhancing the practices of both scientists and practitioners in our field. These suggestions include acknowledging shared aims of improving care and services, fully embracing methodological pluralism, using theories and exploring domains within the field that are important to both practitioners and scientists, developing sustainable structures where scientists and practitioners can come together on an equal footing to learn from each other and to collaborate in practice-relevant research, and developing a knowledge broker service for practitioners.

The Current Status of Social Work Science and Research: A Review of the Literature and Its Implications for Post-Soviet Countries

“…There is little evidence that practitioners see themselves as scientific (Anastas, 2014). Moreover, employment statistics show a significant presence of social workers in health, mental health and human service positions, whereas social work researchers account for less than 1% of all researchers actively involved in federally funded projects (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012).…”

“…American and European colleagues initiated discussion about increasing Social Work's visibility as a scientific discipline and making a more demonstrative contribution to expanding the scientific knowledge base in social and human services (Anastas, 2014;Shaw, 2014;Sommerfeld, 2014;Brekke, 2012Brekke, , 2013Marsh, 2012;Longhofer & Floersch, 2012).…”

“…Social Work along with sociology, psychiatry, public health, psychology is an applied integrative science, not a natural or core science that engages in the development of knowledge for its own sake (Anastas, 2014). According to the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), Social Work is both interdisciplinary (several disciplines working jointly from their discipline-specific bases to integrate, combine, or synthesize perspectives, concepts, and/or theories to address a common problem) and transdisciplinary (a collaboration between several academic disciplines and practitioners in professional fields outside academe to address a complex real-world problem).…”

Critical Race Theory: A Content Analysis of the Social Work Literature

“…Specifically, the authors conceptualize this new political environment as one consisting of "relationships and activities that reflect power and value differences and which influence critical decisions about the distribution of resources, rights, access, opportunities and status" (Reisch & Jani, 2012, p.1133. Conversely, Anastas (2014) suggests the need for the field of social work to develop a practice closely tied to science. Anastas (2014) proposes a rapprochement between social work practice and science creates a valuable platform for social work practitioners and scientists, which advances practice, improves services, embraces methodological pluralism, constructs sustainable structures and allow practice-relevant research collaboration.…”

“…Conversely, Anastas (2014) suggests the need for the field of social work to develop a practice closely tied to science. Anastas (2014) proposes a rapprochement between social work practice and science creates a valuable platform for social work practitioners and scientists, which advances practice, improves services, embraces methodological pluralism, constructs sustainable structures and allow practice-relevant research collaboration. While the aforementioned articles focused on redefining social work practice in relation to politics and science, the last two articles centered on enhancing clinical social work practice to better serve marginalized and at-risk populations.…”