What is the critical agenda of qualitative social work? How do the concerns of qualitative social workers, as researchers and practitioners, relate to the transformative ideals of the profession? It is arguable that these questions involve increasing controversy as new ways of knowing (and approaches to researching) seemingly undermine the previously more certain social justice base of social work. We therefore need to understand more closely how the plethora of qualitative methods might be developed in ways which support the longstanding critical ideals of social work in challenging forms of unjust social domination.

In a special issue of Qualitative Social Work, which we expect to publish within the next 12 months, we plan to profile these current concerns. How are social workers - practitioners, researchers, theorists - using these newer approaches to research in tandem with ideals of critical social work? What kinds of qualitative research methods and approaches are appropriate for critical practice? How do the responses to these sorts of questions help shape a research approach that is distinctive to the ideals of our profession?

We invite submissions from anyone who is engaging in these issues - articles that stir debate, outline dilemmas, detail new ideas, or describe current projects.

Contributions should take the form of: