This dissertation examines how the knowledge base of adult social work is shaped by multiple voices within the context of public services in Finland. It addresses two central questions: 1) how does the knowledge base of adult social work take form when viewed through the lenses of theoretical, factual, and practical knowledge? 2) what kinds of tensions arise from different knowledge interests in the formation of this knowledge base?
The research is philosophically grounded in critical realism. The research draws on a combination of methodological approaches, including a literature review, document analysis, and practice research. The data consist of client records from adult social work, interviews with both professionals and clients, and notes from a reflective practitioner group. The data were analyzed using both data-driven and theory-driven content analysis, supported by analytical methods informed by critical realism.
The findings reinforce the understanding that the knowledge base of adult social work is continuously evolving and shaped by multiple, sometimes conflicting, voices: experiential knowledge of professionals and clients, administrative requirements, and research-based insights. Tensions emerge particularly where differing knowledge interests and value orientations collide, at times marginalizing the profession’s own foundational principles. However, this plurality is not merely a source of conflict, it also offers potential for enrichment. Integrating diverse forms of knowledge can strengthen professional practice, deepen the knowledge base, and help navigate or even resolve underlying tensions.
This dissertation contributes to the conceptualization of multi-voiced knowledge in adult social work and offers both theoretical insights and practical directions for developing knowledge production in the field. It underscores the importance of close collaboration between practice and research as a prerequisite for such development.
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Tuija Kuorikoski, tuija.kuorikoski@centria.fi
