Exploring the relationships between qualitative research and social change, this bookasks how social change is informed and influenced by research. Examples discussed are from research practice and experiences in the fields of sociology, social work, professional practice, education, criminal justice and anthropology."

The first major study of the history of British "bad girls," this book uses a wide range of professional, popular and personal texts to explore the experiences of girls in the twentieth century juvenile justice system, examine the processes leading to their definition as delinquent, defective or neglected, and analyses possibilities for reform.