Interpretive Methods for Social Work Practice and Research

Authors

Edmund Sherman, State University of New York, Albany

Abstract

There has been a growing dissatisfaction with the apparent dominance of quantitative empirical approaches to the social sciences in general and to social work practice research in particular. This paper suggests an alternative or complementary approach which is based on modern hermeneutics, the science of interpretation. These interpretive methods are discussed in terms of their more promising applications to select areas of social work practice and research.

Recommended Citation

Sherman, Edmund (1991) "Interpretive Methods for Social Work Practice and Research," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 18: Iss. 4, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.2001
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol18/iss4/6