Social Work, Policy, Government and Research: A Mildly Optimistic View

Abstract

One of the more intriguing features of the social science community is the consistency with which it is inclined to disregard its own findings. This chapter discusses some observations that have been made about the nature of social research and social policy making. It presents two views: an optimistic one and a pessimistic one, on the likelihood of research related to government policies having a significant impact upon decisions in the social policy field. The chapter suggests that an optimistic perspective on the relationship between social research and decision making at government level is largely unjustified. It shows how the justification for policy related studies does not and should not, lie in the criterion of 'usefulness'. The current 'cult of utility' as it has been called has its dangers as well as its attractions. The focus is on social policies particularly in mind and, most particularly, social work policies.

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