The Idea of Research-Based Social Work as a Basis for Professional Autonomy

Summary To be recognized as a fully-fledged profession with professional autonomy, social work must meet the criteria of a research-based intellectual activity based on social scientific education. This article demonstrates that research-based nature is a necessary condition for the professional autonomy of social work as part of the field's development into a full profession. Accordingly, the professional interest of social work research should be to produce knowledge that is useful for the development of a structured theoretical foundation corresponding to professional policies and practices. Findings The concept of research-based social work refers to the use of research to inform and improve social work practices. Research-informed education and practice involve applying and producing research-based knowledge that is relevant to practice activities, as well as developing the capability for scientific questioning, analysis, and argumentation. On the one hand, social work research consists of academic investigations by scholars and students in academia, and on the other, research in working practice performed by practitioners. The research-based orientation covers them both. Accordingly, the article discusses the importance of research-mindedness permeating all aspects of social work, seeing it as an essential element of professional self-determination. Applications The findings highlight the need to develop social work as a scientific discipline to strengthen professional autonomy. This contributes to the development of social work as a self-defining profession, which in turn strengthens the professional identity of social workers.