The SAGE Handbook of Social Work Research provides a comprehensive, internationally-focused account of leading social work research, offering an original and defining statement on contemporary theory and practice within the field. The groundbreaking Handbook engages critically with the nature and role of social work research and evaluation in contemporary societies around the globe, and asks four key questions:
What is the role and purpose of social work research?
What contexts shape the practice and purpose of social work research?
How can we maximize the quality of the practice of social work research?
How can the aims of social work in its varied domains be met through social work research?
Ranging over local, national, and international issues, and exploring questions of theory and practice, this is a diverse and constructively organized overview of the field. It will quickly be recognized as a benchmark in the expanding field of social work research, setting the agenda for future work in the arena.

Contents
Editorial Essay: Mapping Social Work Research: Pasts, Presents and Futures / Ian Shaw, Katharine Briar-Lawson, Joan Orme and Roy Ruckdeschel -- Sect. I. Purposes of Social Work Research -- 1. Nature and Purposes of Social Work / Nigel Parton and Stuart Kirk -- 2. Providing Objective, Impartial Evidence for Decision Making and Public Accountability / Annette Boaz and James Blewett -- 3. Theory and Knowledge about Social Problems to Enhance Policy Development / Joan Orme and Katharine Briar-Lawson -- 4. Improving Intervention and Practice / Daniel Gredig and Jeanne C. Marsh -- 5. Researching Our Own Domains: Research as Practice in 'Learning Organizations' / Susan White and Gerhard Riemann -- 6. Challenging the Dominant Paradigm: Social Work Research, Social Justice and Social Change / Bob Pease -- Sect. II. Contexts for Social Work Research -- 7. Research and Government / Ian Shaw and Joan Zlotnik -- 8. Politics and Values in Social Work Research / Haluk Soydan -- 9. Social Work Research and Ethics / Richard Hugman -- 10. From Social Work Practice to Social Work Research: An Emergent Approach to a Basic Problem / Steve Trevillion -- 11. Theory and Theorizing: Intellectual Contexts of Social Work Research / Mikko Mantysaari and Richard Weatherley -- 12. Uses of Social Work Research / Roy Ruckdeschel and Adrienne Chambon -- 13. Places in Time: Contextualizing Social Work Research / Ian Shaw -- Sect. III. Practice of Social Work Research -- 14. Practice of Social Work Research / Jackie Powell and Blanca Ramos -- 15. Logics, Qualities and Quality of Social Work Research / Ian Shaw -- 16. Evidence and Practice: The Knowledge Challenge for Social Work / Geraldine MacDonald and Jennie Popay -- 17. Methods for Enhancing Theory and Knowledge about Problems, Policies, and Practice / Jane F. Gilgun -- 18. Methods for Understanding, Learning and Social Justice / Carmen Lavoie, Judy MacDonald and Elizabeth Whitmore -- 19. Mixing Methods in Social Work Research / Jennifer C. Greene, Peter Sommerfeld and Wendy L. Haight -- 20. Challenges and Directions in the Practice of Social Work Research / Katharine Briar-Lawson, Robyn Munford and Jackie Sanders -- Sect. IV. Domains of Social Work Research -- 21. Nation / Linda Briskman -- 22. Community / Karen M. Staller and Tracie Mafile'o -- 23. Children, Young People and Families / Mary C. Ruffolo, June Thoburn and Paula Allen-Meares -- 24. Health and Well-being / Paul Bywaters and Michael Ungar -- 25. Disability / Sally French and John Swain -- 26. Mental Health / Peter Huxley, Michael Sheppard and Martin Webber -- 27. Social Work Research and Aging / Philip McCallion -- 28. Social Work in Criminal Justice / Fergus McNeill, Denis Bracken and Alan Clarke -- 29. Challenges and Directions in Social Work Research and Social Work Practice / Joan Orme, Roy Ruckdeschel and Katharine Briar-Lawson.