• • The essential limits of science in social work.

• • The misuses of science.

• • The principles and practices that help foster good social work research.

What obligations are we under as human beings when we carry out research? What moral, ethical and social standards and values should both constrain and enrich our work? Are there risks and threats posed by the character of the research enterprise? What might we be asserting if we refer to a belief in a unity of vision and purpose in research? I have expressed these questions without specific reference to social work because they are by and large shared across all disciplines and fields of planned and systematic inquiry. This assumption is reflected through this final chapter – and throughout the book – in the quotations drawn from scientists of various hues. But taken together, they are what I have in mind by posing the question of ‘good’ social work research.

Invited to judge if a particular example of social work research is good or not, one is likely to assume the question is about whether intelligent and appropriate decisions were made about the study design, the methodology, the analysis and interpretation of the data, and so on. The direct research experience the majority of social workers have of carrying out research may be related to small projects linked to time on qualifying programmes, when it is precisely these criteria by which their work will have been assessed. In addition, this will be viewed in the light of how adequately a given project reflects and advances social work values. Arising out of such judgements questions may be raised regarding how commitments to, for example, rigour or justice have and ought to have been weighted and related. Is one more important than the other?