Science and social work

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to highlight a number of questions, along which many critics question the status and role of social work in the realms of social sciences in Hungary. The article draws the readers’ attention to the scientific theoretical criteria which make critical evaluation possible. To what extent the knowledge base, research methods and practice of this profession qualify for the standards of scientific method that are universal and represent basic requirements both in natural and human sciences? The author stresses the fact that social workers can prove the accountability of their academic training and professional practice only by a joint effort in making their specific disciplinary knowledge base transparent and building it upon a scientific method.