Full Description
As a discipline, social work needs an inclusive metatheory for both research and practice that goes beyond positivism and constructivism. This is the first book to present and discuss how critical realism can contribute to a more useful and realistic approach to both research and practice in social work. As a theory of science that includes normative theories and emphasises method-pluralism and holistic thinking, critical realism is applicable to a world of poverty, global health problems and social conflicts.
Contributors to this book present a realist perspective on social work. The connection between critical realism and social work is illuminated through a theoretical introduction in Part 1. Part 2 covers the specific topics of normativity, interdisciplinarity and education. Part 3 presents practical/empirical examples from contemporary research in social work, using different approaches based on critical realism.
As critical realism can contribute to a useful and realistic approach to research and practice, this book is essential reading for professionals, academics and students working in different fields of social work and health care.
Contents
List of figures
Editors' preface
Contributors
PART I
Chapter 1. Toward an in-depth understanding of professional social and welfare work (Monica Kjørstad and May-Britt Solem)
Chapter 2. Basic concepts in critical realism (Monica Kjørstad and May-Britt Solem)
PART II
Chapter 3. Normativity in the social sciences and professions (Andrew Sayer)
Chapter 4. Interdisciplinary work in a critical realist perspective (Berth Danermark)
Chapter 5. Learning to absent the absent: critical realism and social work education (Stanley Houston and Lorna Montgomery)
PART III
Chapter 6. Understanding the dynamics between professional social and welfare work and social politics: a critical realist perspective (Monica Kjørstad)
Chapter 7. Encounters uncovered: implementing critical realism and domain theory in ethnographic research with young masculinities (Harry Lunabba)
Chapter 8. Parenting stress and coping practices in a critical realist perspective (May-Britt Solem)
Chapter 9. Positions of young people in child welfare: "TMSA" in research practice (Elina Pekkarinen)
PART IV
Chapter 10. Theory and practice as a dynamic relation (Monica Kjørstad and May-Britt Solem)
