Theory and Practice in Social Work: A Re-examination of a Tenuous Relationship

This article discusses the need for an agreed framework within which a genuinely reciprocal relationship between social work theory and practice could be developed. After pointing out the inconsistencies of the present relationship, the author goes on to conclude that three main obstacles stand in the way of the achievement of this goal. He cites firstly, the present design of the social work curriculum, with particular reference to the underlying principle of eclecticism; secondly, the negative attitudes held by many in the profession towards science as a means of evaluating competing concepts; and thirdly, the lack of an acceptably rigorous field work evaluation procedure which social workers could use to register their impact on the more nebulous aspects of their work. Suggestions are made as to how these obstacles might be overcome.