Ian Shaw

What is the role of science in social work? Ian Shaw considers social work inventions, evidence-based practice, the history of scientific claims in social work practice, technology, and social work research methodology to demonstrate the significant role that scientific language and practice play in the complex world of social work. By treating science as a social action marked by the interplay of choice, activity, and constraints, Shaw links scientific and social work knowledge through the core themes of the nature of evidence, critical learning and understanding, justice, and the skilled evaluation of the subject. He shows specifically how to connect science, research, and the practical and speaks to the novel topics this integration introduces into the discipline, including experience, expertise, faith, tacit knowledge, judgment, interests, scientific controversies, and understanding.

Bringing key developments and debates together in a single volume, this book provides an authoritative guide for students and practitioners embarking on qualitative research in social work and related fields. Frequently illustrated with contemporary and classic case examples from the authors’ own empirical research and from international published work, and with self-directed learning tasks, the book provides insight into the difficulties and complexities of carrying out research, as well as sharing ‘success’ stories from the field. Shaw and Holland have long experience of writing for practitioners and students and in making complex concepts accessible and readable, making this an ideal text for those engaging in qualitative social work research at any level. Ian Shaw is a Professor of Social Work at the University of York and at the University of Aalborg. Sally Holland is a Reader in Social Work at the School of Social Sciences in Cardiff University.

Bringing key developments and debates together in a single volume, this book provides an authoritative guide for students and practitioners embarking on qualitative research in social work and related fields. Frequently illustrated with contemporary and classic case examples from the authors’ own empirical research and from international published work, and with self-directed learning tasks, the book provides insight into the difficulties and complexities of carrying out research, as well as sharing ‘success’ stories from the field. Shaw and Holland have long experience of writing for practitioners and students and in making complex concepts accessible and readable, making this an ideal text for those engaging in qualitative social work research at any level. Ian Shaw is a Professor of Social Work at the University of York and at the University of Aalborg. Sally Holland is a Reader in Social Work at the School of Social Sciences in Cardiff University.

Forensic science is often important in criminal cases, so criminal justice professionals, including lawyers and forensic scene investigators, must have a basic understanding of what is often complex science. This book explains the science underpinning forensic techniques to give those who engage with forensic science professionally, but who are not primarily scientists, a level of understanding that will enable them to use forensic science data effectively. In addition, the book places the use of forensic data in the context of criminal cases to assess the reliability and usefulness of forensic data in court. Succinctly presented, this book covers all the facets of forensic science for students who are hoping to become police officers, lawyers or other members of the criminal justice system. As forensic investigations have advanced, e.g. in DNA profiling, computer modelling and behavioural sciences, so has the need for an increase in the level of scientific knowledge. The author understands the challenges this brings and has written the book to explain complex information in an accessible and undemanding style. Using international case studies, this book will bring forensic science to life and include aspects of the author's personal journey.

This volume, which brings together chapters and journal articles published by renowned academic Ian Shaw, focusses on the practice/research relationship within social work – a theme that has preoccupied much of his writing over the last 40 or more years. These pieces show the academic development of his understanding of the complexity and challenge of that relationship, as well as the shifts which have occurred in it over time. Divided into four sectionsForming Professional PracticeForming Social Work ResearchChicago, Sociology and Social WorkCritical Tributes and Debates and comprised of 31 chapters, it will be of interest to all scholars of social work, and allied subjects, including sociology, allied health, social policy and disability studies.

In this book we encounter a man whose twentieth-century life and ministry mirrored a concern for faithful preaching, pastoral care, and the mission field. Leslie Land avoided labels, but his gentle, impeccably courteous, yet penetrating expositions laid the foundations of a Reformed evangelicalism which was to influence many in the United Kingdom from his church in Leicester. He would say, "I have sought to emphasise none other loyalty than Christ and His Word." The second half of the book gives a selection of extended outlines of his biblical, doctrinal, and experiential preaching, grouped according to declaring the gospel to those who were not Christians, the relation between faith and life, the life of the church, and the necessary defence of the gospel.

This volume, which brings together chapters and journal articles published by renowned academic Ian Shaw, focusses on the practice/research relationship within social work – a theme that has preoccupied much of his writing over the last 40 or more years. These pieces show the academic development of his understanding of the complexity and challenge of that relationship, as well as the shifts which have occurred in it over time. Divided into four sectionsForming Professional PracticeForming Social Work ResearchChicago, Sociology and Social WorkCritical Tributes and Debates and comprised of 31 chapters, it will be of interest to all scholars of social work, and allied subjects, including sociology, allied health, social policy and disability studies.

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring The ancient Egyptians are an enduring source of fascination -- mummies and pyramids, curses and rituals have captured the imagination of generations. We all have a mental picture of ancient Egypt, but is it the right one? How much do we really know about this great civilization? This second edition of Ancient Egypt: A Very Short Introduction explores the history and culture of pharaonic Egypt, inlcuding ideas about Egyptian kingship, ancient Egyptian writing systems, and the history of Egyptology. Ian Shaw introduces the reader to issues relating to ethnicity, race, gender, and sexual relations; the latest ideas about death, funerary rites and mummification; and thoughts on religion and ethics in ancient Egypt. He also looks at the phenomenon of Egyptomania, whereby certain books and films have sensationalised aspects of Egyptian culture. Finally, Shaw takes the story to the present day by illustrating the impact of the Arab Spring on approaches to Egyptian museums and cultural heritage. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

A concise introduction to Ancient Egyptian warfare from the Neolithic period through to the Iron Age, covering everything from battle tactics to weaponry and battle injuries. The excellent preservation of Egyptian artefacts including bows, axes and chariots, means that it is possible to track the changing nature of Egyptian military technology, as well as the equipment and ideas that were adopted from other civilisations of the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East. As well as discussing such crucial issues as military strategy, martial ideology, construction of fortresses and waging of siege warfare, this book includes the study of practical ques­tions of life, death and survival of individual soldiers on the battlefield.

This title was first published in 2000: A detailed study of a number of key issues arising in evaluation research, in particular the impact of context upon evaluation findings and the implication context has for methodology. Providing case study illustrations, the work includes discussion of definitions and uses, experimental logic, methods and difficulties in experimental evaluations and the importance of incorporating both process and context in evaluation research design.

There’s a growing pressure for social workers to engage with research and draw on this in practice. But why is this research important? This first book in the Research in Social Work series, published in association with the European Social Work Research Association, provides an accessible way to think about this question. Drawing on evidence from across Europe, Asia and the USA, it covers how research is conducted, used, and perceived. It is perfect for social work students, researchers and practitioners, providing a detailed sketch of how research finds a place in the wider social work picture and offering opportunities and exercises that highlight how social work research is relevant in day-to-day course programmes and practice. The book will embolden a kind of scepticism, while at the same time providing the ground work for social workers to become more thoughtfully practical – and practically thoughtful.

Drawing on evidence from across Europe, Asia and the USA, this accessible book covers how social workers can engage with research and draw on it in practice.

This title was first published in 2000: A detailed study of a number of key issues arising in evaluation research, in particular the impact of context upon evaluation findings and the implication context has for methodology. Providing case study illustrations, the work includes discussion of definitions and uses, experimental logic, methods and difficulties in experimental evaluations and the importance of incorporating both process and context in evaluation research design.

The study of ancient Egyptian materials and technology is a vibrant one, with research being conducted by many scholars throughout the world. This book draws not only on traditional archaeological and textual sources but also on the results of scientific analyses of ancient materials and on experimental and ethno-archaeological information. Although the principal aim is to bring together the basic evidence for different aspects of change and evolution in Egyptian technology, it also examines wider cognitive and social contexts, such as the ancient Egyptian propensity for mental creativity and innovation. How rapidly did Egyptian technology change in comparison with other African, Mediterranean or Near Eastern states? The text includes consideration of those aspects of Egyptian society that made it predisposed (or not) to certain types of innovation, e.g. techniques of metalworking, transportation and construction.

Evaluation is not a self-contained phase of social work practice - one more dimension of the process - but a dimension of every phase. In this fully rewritten and updated second edition of his groundbreaking text Evaluating in Practice, Ian Shaw demonstrates how evaluation and inquiry are just as much practice tasks as planning, intervention and review. By demonstrating that good evaluating in practice helps sustain a commitment to evidence, understanding and justice, Shaw shows that for this to be achieved, evaluating in practice must permeate every aspect of social work. He: 1. Develops a framework for embedding evaluation and inquiry as a dimension of good practice in social work. 2. Demonstrates the central significance of a 'methodological practice' in social work that adapts, infuses, and translates social research methods as a dimension of the different aspects of social work, viz. assessment, planning, intervention, review and outcomes. 3. Facilitates good practice by exemplifying the argument through extensive worked examples and exercises. This book has much to say about the demanding skills that are necessary to achieve this shaping of practice and is a must-read for any social work student or practitioner.

Evaluation is not a self-contained phase of social work practice - one more dimension of the process - but a dimension of every phase. In this fully rewritten and updated second edition of his groundbreaking text Evaluating in Practice, Ian Shaw demonstrates how evaluation and inquiry are just as much practice tasks as planning, intervention and review. By demonstrating that good evaluating in practice helps sustain a commitment to evidence, understanding and justice, Shaw shows that for this to be achieved, evaluating in practice must permeate every aspect of social work. He: 1. Develops a framework for embedding evaluation and inquiry as a dimension of good practice in social work. 2. Demonstrates the central significance of a 'methodological practice' in social work that adapts, infuses, and translates social research methods as a dimension of the different aspects of social work, viz. assessment, planning, intervention, review and outcomes. 3. Facilitates good practice by exemplifying the argument through extensive worked examples and exercises. This book has much to say about the demanding skills that are necessary to achieve this shaping of practice and is a must-read for any social work student or practitioner.