ABSTRACT

Using theory, research evidence and experiential knowledge is a critical component of good social work. This unique text is designed to help social work students and practitioners to integrate theorizing into practice, demonstrating how to search for, select and translate academic knowledge for practical use in helping people improve their lives and environments.

Presenting 32 core skills, Skills for Using Theory in Social Work provides a conceptual foundation, a vocabulary, and a set of skills to aid competent social work theorizing. Each chapter outlines the knowledge and action components of the skill and its relationship to core practice behaviours, along with learning and reflection activities. The lessons are divided into four parts:

  • Section one discusses foundational material, including self-identification as a theorist-practitioner, the deliberate use of the term theory, and a social work approach to the selection of knowledge.
  • Section two focuses on the adept use of theorizing skills. It covers identifying assumptions, using concepts, formulating propositions, organizing theory elements inductively or deductively, summarizing and displaying the elements of a theory, gathering and organizing assessment information and communicating with clients and colleagues about tentative theories.
  • Section three includes lessons preparing social workers for the construction of useful middle-range theories including causal theories and interpretive theories and for testing and sharing these practical theories.
  • Section four presents skills to develop critical thinking about theoretical knowledge. These include avoiding the misuse of theory, judging a theory using scientific standards, judging a theory by professional standards, critiquing theory in its cultural and historical context and making judgments about the likely long-term impact of a theory.

This key text will help readers to demonstrate their expertise in reflective, competent, and theory-informed practice. It is suitable for all social work students and practitioners, particularly those taking practice, theory and human behaviour in the social environment courses.

chapter |30 pages

Introduction

section |60 pages

Theorizing basics

chapter |14 pages

Identify and act as theorist engaged in theoretical thinking

(EPAS 2.1.1 Identify as a Professional Social Worker; EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.5 Engage in Research-Informed Practice; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |14 pages

Identify and use purposefully different styles of theorizing

(EPAS 2.1.5 Engage in Research-Informed Practice; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |7 pages

Identify and use the social work approach to knowledge selection

(EPAS 2.1.1 Identify as a Professional Social Worker; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |9 pages

Identify and use knowledge from varied sources

(EPAS 2.1.6 Engage in Research-Informed Practice; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |9 pages

Identify and use theory differentially by level of abstraction

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |5 pages

Identify and use theory differentially by system level

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

section |106 pages

Applying theory (deconstructive and reconstructive theorizing)

chapter |13 pages

Identify the theoretical aspects of the practice puzzle

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |8 pages

Identify and borrow from relevant theoretical frameworks

(EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |9 pages

Identify and learn from relevant exemplary theorists

(EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |10 pages

Check on and imagine puzzle patterns using theory's root metaphors

(EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |9 pages

Check on and specify theory's assumptions

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |9 pages

Identify and adapt a theory's concepts

(EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |6 pages

Identify and reformulate a theory's propositions

(EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |7 pages

Identify and reorganize a theory's deductive argument

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |9 pages

Identify and reorganize a theory's inductive argument

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |10 pages

Summarize the relationship between a theory's elements

(EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |14 pages

Display a theory's elements

(EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

section |36 pages

Constructing practical theories

chapter |5 pages

Construct practical theories in the middle range

(EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge; EPAS 2.1.10 Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate)

chapter |11 pages

Construct a middle range theory about causes

(EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge; EPAS 2.1.10 Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate))

chapter |12 pages

Construct a middle range theory about processes or themes

(EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge; EPAS 2.1.10 Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate)

chapter |6 pages

Translate and speak theory with clients and colleagues

(EPAS 2.1.1 Identify as a Professional Social Worker; EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

section |76 pages

Critical thinking about theoretical knowledge using scientific, practical, and professional standards

chapter |7 pages

Think critically about theory

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |10 pages

Critique theory using scientific and practical standards

(EPAS 2.1.1 Identify as a Professional Social Worker; EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |7 pages

Critique theory using professional standard of ethics and values

(EPAS 2.1.2 Apply Ethical Principles; EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |5 pages

Critique theory using professional standard of evidence

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.6 Engage in Research-Informed Practice; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |5 pages

Critique theory using professional standard of holism

EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge

chapter |6 pages

Critique theory using professional standard of justice

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.5 Advance Human Rights; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge; EPAS 2.1.8 Engage in Policy Practice)

chapter |9 pages

Critique theory using professional standard of sensitivity to diversity

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.4 Engage Diversity; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |6 pages

Critique theory using professional standard of strengths

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |7 pages

Critique theory by reference to moral and technical uses

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

chapter |7 pages

Critique theory in historical and cultural context

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge; EPAS 2.19 Respond to Contexts)

chapter |5 pages

Critique theory considering long-term impact

(EPAS 2.1.3 Apply Critical Thinking; EPAS 2.1.7 Apply Knowledge)

section |9 pages

Conclusion