Breves reflexiones soBre la investigación cualitativa para la formación del traBajador social

Abstract

This document presents a brief historical background of social research in the discipline of social work. It also presents the experience of the application of qualitative research of the first group of doctoral students in University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Social Work. This group studied violence in a public school of San Juan metropolitan area and examined one of the relevant social policies using the constructivist paradigm. The group of students was organized in four working teams. Each group collected data from qualitative interviews, focus groups and observations. The exercise allowed us to conclude that the application of qualitative methods for the study of social problems as well as for the social policy analysis is relevant to the professional practice of social work. * Este documento esta basado en la ponencia presentada en la 33 el Congreso Mundial de Escuelas de Trabajo Social, que se celebro en Santiago de Chile en agosto del 2006.