Social Work · 1991 · 76 citations · 13 references
Social SciencesOrganizational BehaviorSocial WorkBusiness EthicsEthicsSocial Work EthicsEthical PracticeOrganizational EthicsProfessional EthicsProfessional ResponsibilityProfessional ValuesWorkplace EthicsEthical Decision-making DevelopmentGrounded Theory AnalysisGrounded Theory Interview AnalysisGrounded Theory InterviewingInterview TranscriptsPractice-based Professional DevelopmentQualitative InterviewingSocial Work Values
How do social workers understand and deal with ethical issues in their professional practice? This article reports on a qualitative study that sought to identify dimensions of ethical judgment used by practicing social workers. Three sets of bipolar dimensions were inferred from the analysis of interview transcripts: the focus of decisions, ranging from emphasis on means to emphasis on ends; the interpersonal orientation, ranging from independence or self-determination to mutuality or community; and the locus of authority, ranging from internalized to externalized. Implications regarding further research and professional development in this area of practice are discussed.
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