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• Summary: The age-old debate about the role of science in social work has intensified with the growth of scientific activities and the emergence of philosophically-based criticisms of prevailing scientific paradigms. Issues have included: constructionist challenges to the role of research in validating social work knowledge; divisions over whether there is enough credible scientific knowledge to make a difference in practice; disputes over whether such knowledge can be adequately disseminated and properly utilized; and controversies about the utility of applying research methods (e.g. single-case evaluations) in practice. • Findings: Scientific methods are likely to provide superior knowledge, because they have evolved to become humankind’s most powerful form of enquiry. Enough research-based knowledge does exist to make a difference in practice, and there are means to enable its dissemination and utilization. Moreover, a number of these methods can be productively used in practice. • Applications: Practice based on research knowledge and strengthened by selective use of research methods should become a growing force in social work. Emphasis on methodological pluralism in research

Author

William J. Reid

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Published

2001

Language

EN