Includes bibliographical references and index.

Foreword / Marilyn Flynn -- Preface / John Brekke and Jeane Anastas -- Acknowledgements -- Current context and the realist frame -- The science in social work roundtables : context, content, process / Susan Stone and Jerry Floersch -- The realist frame : scientific realism and critical realism / John Brekke, Jeane Anastas, Jerry Floersch, and Jeffrey Longhofer -- The foundations of social work science -- Science and identity in social work / John Brekke P -- Defining a social work science : its nature and consequences / John Brekke -- Social work science in the context of social work ideas : social work science and grand challenges / Rowena Fong and Edwina Uehara -- Values-informed research and research-informed values / Jeffrey Longhofer and Jerry Floersch -- Theory in social work science / Susan P. Kemp and Gina Miranda Samuels P -- Who knows? : critical realism, philosophy of mind, embodiment, and the science of social work / Jeane Anastas -- Essential issues in social work science -- Science and social work practice : client-provider relationships as an active ingredient promoting client change / Mary Bunn and Jeanne Marsh -- Rigor and relevance in social work science / Lawrence A. Palinkas -- Tools and training to support social work as an integrative science / Paula S. Nurius -- Concluding thoughts -- Concluding and commencing thoughts / Jeane Anastas and John Brekke.