Open Access

The triangle of knowledge, thought, and action in social work: Critical practice experiences in the field of disability

1 Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Zübeyde Hanım Faculty of Health Sciences, Niğde, Turkiye ROR
2 Hacettepe University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Ankara, Turkiye ROR

Abstract

The extent to which the critical perspective is reflected in social service practices in Turkey, and how this approach is reflected in theoretical knowledge and the reflective process, is not sufficiently known. This study aims to reveal the extent to which the critical social work approach is reflected in the practices of social workers working with people with disabilities in Turkey and how theoretical knowledge and reflective processes are transformed into practice in the field. It also aims to highlight the intellectual and ethical stances of practitioners in order to develop rights-based, fair and inclusive practices in the field of disability. The research involved in-depth interviews with 17 social workers who engage with disabled individuals. Following a thematic analysis of the collected data, three primary themes emerged: building bridges between theory and practice, awareness and reflective process in professional practice, and examples of good practice. The research shows that needs-based discourses are prominent in the practices of social workers working with people with disabilities. The findings indicate that bridging the gap between theory and practice, local knowledge production, and strengthening reflective processes are important for critical social work. While good practice examples are important for empowering people with disabilities and developing inclusive services, there is a need to disseminate these models more widely.

Keywords

How to Cite

Akoglu Demirel, G., & Cankurtaran, O. (2025). The triangle of knowledge, thought, and action in social work: Critical practice experiences in the field of disability. International Journal of Eurasia Social Sciences, 16(62), 2465–2487. https://doi.org/10.70736/ijoess.2053

References

📄 Albayrak, H. (2021). Eleştirel sosyal hizmet teorisi ve uygulaması. Toplum ve Sosyal Hizmet, 32(1), 383-401. [Crossref]
📄 Babahanoğlu, R. (2016). Sosyal hizmet öğrencilerinin eleştirel düşünme eğilimleri ile bilinçli farkındalıkları arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesi [Yayımlanmamış Yüksek Lisans Tezi]. Selçuk Üniversitesi. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/515202
📄 Banks, N., & Hulme, D. (2012). The role of NGOs and civil society in development and poverty reduction. Report No. 171. https://ssrn.com/abstract=2072157
📄 Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology, Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. [Crossref]
📄 Campbell, C., & Baikie, G. (2012). Beginning at the beginning: An exploration of critical social work. Critical Social Work, 13(1), 67–81. [Crossref]