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Qualitative Social Work
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Realism as a Foundation for Social Work Knowledge

Mikko Mäntysaari

University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Could a philosophical position called ‘realism’ act as a foundation for social work knowledge? Social work is a phenomenon consisting of three parts: research, education and professional practise. The aim of social work is to alleviate social problems – and this task can be fulfilled through all the three parts of social work. Research must help not only the professional practise, but also the teaching of social work methods. When speaking of research methodology, social work research should overcome the pitfalls of empiricism, inductivism and relativism, and take into consideration of the powers of societal structures, history and nature. The ideas of realism can help in the realization of this task.

Key Words: evaluation • realism • relativism

Qualitative Social Work, Vol. 4, No. 1, 87-98 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1473325005050202
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