A model of professional knowledge for social work practice

Bibliographic Data

ID11958032
AuthorsJulie Drury Hudson (a fields of child protection and education, corresponding author)
Year1997
Volume50
Issue3
Pages35-44
Publication date1997-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAustralian Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0312-407X • E-ISSN: 1447-0748
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03124079708414096
OpenAlexW2116344709
LanguageEN
Citations received27
References cited19

This article develops a model of professional knowledge for social work. The development of professional knowledge in social work has largely been influenced by knowledge from other areas of the social sciences such as psychology, sociology, social policy and organisational theory as well as being influenced by historical trends. Social science knowledge has, in turn, been influenced by the scientific method. The professional knowledge of social work can be categorised into five main knowledge forms. These are theoretical, empirical, procedural, practice wisdom and personal knowledge. Each of these forms is not a discrete category but there is considerable overlap between each area. However, it is also useful to consider each area separately as the research has demonstrated that social workers rely on some types of knowledge more than others. The research literature has demonstrated that theoretical and empirical knowledge forms are used infrequently in social work practice. It is argued that this imbalance needs to be addressed in order for social workers to make effective practice decisions

Empirical research · Engineering ethics · Epistemology · Knowledge management · Political science · Social science · Sociology · Sociology of scientific knowledge · Work (physics · Computer Science · Interprofessional Education and Collaboration · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work

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