05 Dec Sources of Knowledge

Social workers make decisions in practice settings based on different sources of knowledge, including their intuition, personal experiences, tradition, authority, and theories and research evidence. These sources of knowledge can be used together to contribute to decisions. Which source(s) of knowledge do you rely on? What are the strengths and limitations of each source of knowledge, and how will they affect your social work practice? For example, think about the sources of knowledge you used when you made decisions in your field experience. In this Assignment, you consider the sources of knowledge that inform your practice decisions.

To Prepare

Complete the “Situations 1 and 2: Making Decisions About Interventions” handout. (Note: You do not need to upload the handout with your Assignment.)

Reflect on your thought process in your handout and apply it the prompts below

In a 1- to 2-page paper, respond to the following:

Explain how and why your choices differed in Situations 1 and 2.

Explain why it is important to use research and evidence to support your practice decisions.

Explain when using theories and research evidence is most appropriate for making clinical decisions. Provide an illustration of this from your fieldwork experience, from something learned in previous coursework, or from a case study you have encountered.

References 

Dean, R. G. (1989). Ways of knowing in clinical practice. Clinical Social Work Journal, 17(2), 116–127. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756139

Simon, B. L. (1994). Are theories for practice necessary? Yes! Journal of Social Work Education, 30(2), 144–148. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.1994.10672224

Thyer, B. A. (1994). Are theories for practice necessary? No! Journal of Social Work Education, 30(2),148–152. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.1994.10672225

Bloeser, K., & Stewart, R. (2018). Clinical practice theories for medical social work with veterans. Smith College Studies in Social Work, 88(4), 299–311. https://doi.org/10.1080/00377317.2019.1561010

Turner, F. (2011). Theory and social work treatment. In Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (5th ed., pp. 3–13). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Social Work Treatment: Interlocking Theoretical Approaches, 5th Edition by Turner, F. Copyright 2011 by Oxford University Press – Books (US & UK). Reprinted by permission of Oxford University Press – Books (US & UK) via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Document: Situations 1 and 2: Making Decisions About Interventions (Word document)