The authors are obviously experts in their respective fields and they conduct competent and readable overviews of their topics.... their work] would make an excellent text for graduate research students seeking an overview of various contemporary philosophies of science and their derivative methodologies.' - "British Journal of Social Work

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Evaluation and Social Work Practice provides a comprehensive treatment of the central issues confronting evaluation in social work that links theory and method to practical applications.

Demonstrates ways in which evaluation can and should be an important dimension of social work practice. The book presents an assessment of both qualitative methodology and of the empirical practice movement, and the contributors have varied perspectives.

'The back cover of the book proclaims that Qualitative Research in Social Work will be essential reading for all students, practitioners and researchers undertaking social work research. That just about sums it up for me' - "British Journal of Social Work

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There is a clear need for a book which treats qualitative research as a substantive theme within social work, setting epistemological and methodological issues in a context whereby the agenda is set by, and is relevant to, social work. Qualitative Research in Social Work is just such a book

Identifies key trends in the emergence of qualitative social work research. Epistemological and methodological issues are set in the context of social work practice and the book provides a basis for adopting qualitative methodologies in research practice.

In this comprehensive handbook, an examination of the complexities of contemporary evaluation contributes to the ongoing dialogue that arises in professional efforts to evaluate people-related programs, policies, and practices. The SAGE Handbook of Evaluation is a unique and authoritative resource consisting of 25 chapters covering a range of evaluation theories and techniques in a single, accessible volume. With contributions from world-leading figures in their fields overseen by an eminent international editorial board, this handbook is an extensive and user-friendly resource.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become an integral part of social and working lives. Within social work ICTs play a vital role, helping professionals to store and share information and contributing to new forms of practice. This book goes a step further than simply describing ICT skills, but asks why ICT is used and how this affects practice and the experience of people who use services. Written in a student-friendly style, Social Work and ICT is interspersed with activities and exercises to enable students to develop their skills and knowledge. Each chapter also...

Social work research has gathered a greater transparency and clarity of identity in North American and parts of Europe. Furthermore, the rapid emergence of social work research in other European countries, China, India, Japan and elsewhere in Asia and Pacific Rim countries, and gradually in South America, has created a need for a collection that can contribute to both shaping and making accessible key and sometimes hard-to-access sources.

This four-volume collection answers this need, bringing together key literature in a single resource and structuring it into thematic volumes to...

The aim of this book is to exemplify the ways in which social work and research develop in advanced welfare states countries where public spending is relatively high as a proportion of GNP. While such countries have traditionally been associated with Scandinavian countries in particular, and North-Western Europe more generally, there are other countries where the public spend on welfare is relatively high.

The various contributors in this book explore and exemplify ways in which social work and research are distinctive for advanced welfare states. This involves exploring their...