Critical Reflection on Social Science Learning

The arguments that all forms of knowledge, including the social sciences,

must be seen and interpreted in their social sense are the starting point for

Knowledge and the Social Sciences (Goldblatt, 2004). Goldblatt further identifies

that social sciences both explain and shape their subject of study, but seldom in

the forms that social scientists expect. It exposes students to key epistemological

and philosophical terms and issues crucial for further research in the social

sciences. The search for social science started with a single step: the urge to help

others.

Investing in the course was the start of a small tributary that would

eventually contribute to a larger river - the river of knowledge. As the course

progressed, I realized that social workers must objectively reflect on their

practice, analyze it, use professional judgment, and exercise rational discernment.

According to Ferguson (2018), practitioners reflect in practice by transcending

their perspectives above their current experiences so that they can reflect

objectively about and change what they're doing. Multiple sources of information

and evidence are identified, evaluated, and integrated.

With time, I also learned that social science professionals assess their

effect and value to service users regularly. They depend on the guidance and other

forms of encouragement to focus on their work and keep their practice and well-

being afloat. They use their critical reflective capabilities to analyze the context

and circumstances under which they work. They will challenge themselves and

others while maintaining their professional interest, imagination, and self-

awareness by reflecting. I gradually acquired the above expertise, resulting in an

expansion of my social science knowledge base.

To put the information I've acquired to good use, i.e., to build a massive body

of knowledge, I:

i. Apply serious thought and evaluation to increasingly difficult cases and

circumstances regularly and successfully.

ii. To guide decision-making, I use a variety of forms of evidence.

iii. Ensure that theories and alternatives are thoroughly examined to aid judgment and

decision-making.

iv. Start giving others expert advice, particularly in interdisciplinary settings.

Maintain and grow my intuition, innovation, and curiosity in practice, finding

alternatives to address dilemmas and problems, and involving people who use

services in reflections and creativity whenever practicable.

Reference

Goldblatt, D. S. (Ed.). (2004). Knowledge and the social sciences: theory,

method, practice. Psychology Press.

Ferguson, H. (2018). How social workers reflect in action and when and why they

don't: The possibilities and limits to reflective practice in social work. Social

Work Education, 37(4), 415-427.