The Future of Fieldwork in a Market Economy
The economic reforms of the past decade have had a dramatic impact on social services. The application of market forces to the welfare sector—including competition, contestability, contracting and diminishing funding of strictly defined policy objectives—has exerted an influence on social work education. This impact has been particularly sharply felt by those engaged in supervised field practice programmes in schools of social work. In this paper, the writers outline their experiences and undertake a process of analysis and reflection with the aim of creating a shift in thinking about fieldwork which encourages the development of new models for the achievement of fieldwork goals.
Methods used to teach social work students in the field: A research report from New Zealand
This article reports the findings of research conducted in three schools of social work in New Zealand on 'methods' used to teach social work students in the field. Students were polled before the first placement ( N = 80) to find how 'effective' they rated a range of teaching methods. This was followed up by a post-placement student survey ( N = 77) to ascertain the extent to which these same methods were employed by field educators. Pre- and post-placement student results were compared with the effectiveness ratings that field educators ( N = 130) gave to each method. Field educator and student pre-placement ratings listed most methods as being effective or very effective. Post-placement student survey results suggest consistent incongruity between the effectiveness ratings given to each 'method' by field educators, and the degree to which field educators actually utilised the methods with students during the field placement. Students report that methods enabling the direct observation of their practice were amongst those least used in the field.
China's experience on population control: The elusive model
Abstract After the Cultural Revolution China initiated a very intensive family planning programme. Although statistical data are not available, there is enough information to conclude that the custom of postponing marriage and planning births is gaining momentum. The new socio-economic environment is much more conducive to the acceptance of family planning by the young adults than was the case in previous campaigns. Contraceptives, abortions and sterilizations are free of charge and readily available through the extensive public health system. Most important to the success of the programme are the unique methods of motivation which involve virtually all segments of the society.