Shaping a Science of Social Work
Professional Knowledge and Identity
Edited by John S. Brekke and Jeane W. Anastas
Reviews and Awards
"Accordingly, I judge the book to have been successful in its aim: "We hopeyou will be encouraged by this book to participate in the ongoing dialogueabout what social work science is and should be in our society"." -- John Pinkerton, Social Service Review
"Shaping a Science of Social Work is very inspiring to read. It provides a descriptive and concise statement on the necessity, relevance, and potentials of a science of social work...The book can be recommended to all readers who are interested in expanding their systematic knowledge on social work." -- Christian Spatscheck, Social Work
"A collective effort by the IslandWood group and led by John Brekke and Jeane Anastas, Shaping a Science of Social Work significantly advances the knowledge development effort in social work from the frame of science that allows the profession to meaningfully engage in a critical reflection and dialogues on philosophies, intellectual foundations, constructs, characteristics, values, and identity of social work as an integrative scientific discipline. This book will generate important conversation in the years to come on bridging social work science with practice, addressing the dilemma of rigor versus relevance, and shaping the direction of social work education and practice." --Mo Yee Lee, PhD, Professor and PhD Program Director, College of Social Work, The Ohio State University; Editor, Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work; President-elect, Group for Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE)
"This book offers a product--a philosophy of science that grounds and encompasses the focus of social work practice and research, while also providing hints of a rich intellectual process of idea exchange, debate, and generative development of thought. I fully expect that the social work practice, education, and research communities will be engaged by these ideas, hopefully spurring more thought and exchange. The social work profession--and the individuals and communities that we serve-will certainly be better for it." --Darla Spence Coffey, PhD, MSW, President and Chief Executive Officer, Council on Social Work Education
"Here is a landmark volume that promises to spark deeper discourse on the place of science, knowledge, and evidence in tackling our most challenging social problems, and to revitalize the social work profession's commitment to rigorous knowledge 'in the service of service' to those most marginalized. Kudos!" --Neil Guterman, PhD, MSW, Dean and Paulette Goddard Professor, Silver School of Social Work, New York University
