The Obsolete Scientific Imperative in Social Work Research

Abstract

In a misguided attempt to be scientific, social work has adopted an outmoded, overly restrictive paradigm of research. Methodological rather than substantive requirements determine the subject matter to be studied. As a result, important questions and valuable data go unresearched. The assumptions and postulates of this prevailing "scientific" model of research and evaluation are examined; their roots in the logical empiricist tradition are described; criticisms of these assumptions are discussed; and alternative, less restrictive approaches to research are suggested.