Cross-National Context and Qualitative Social Work Research: Working the Boundaries

In keeping with the above title, the following essay ‘works the boundaries’ between a traditional book review and a commentary. Upon reading Ian Shaw and Nick Gould's book, Qualitative Research in Social Work (London: Sage, 2001), I was unable to resist the urge to further articulate my own perspective, and not only because the said perspective attracted firm opposition within its pages. The contributors to this volume share a collective vision of social work research that afforded an unprecedented opportunity for me to reflect upon the cross-national context of their (and my) ideas. I hope that this essay will promote further dialogue among colleagues near and far.