Abstract
The author uses a queer critical lens to analyze the marginalization of case study research in the evidence-based practice model of clinical social work. He argues that narrative case studies are necessary for the production of context-dependent knowledge about social work practice and asserts that the method offers particular utility in conducting queer inquiry. The method is explored in relation to its capacity to describe non-normative phenomena and the impact of normative cultural pressures on queer subjects. An abbreviated case study by the author is included to demonstrate these capacities.
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Notes
Stern (1990) describes a clinical approach from a psychoanalytic perspective in which the analyst embraces uncertainty about and curiosity towards patients. He refers to this process as “courting surprise”.
Tosone (2013) provides a thorough analysis of the missing relational components of the EBP approach and summarizes research that shows “that relational factors account for as much as 75% of success in treatment while models and techniques account for only 25% of success” (p. 252).
Butler (1993) uses the phrase “weakness of the norm” (p. 237) in her queer analysis of gender performativity. While gender and EBP are obviously different discursive domains, I find her theory on subversive practices to be pliable for this analysis of the anti-normative potential of case study knowledge in EBP.
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Eric Hartman declares that he has no conflict of interest.
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Hartman, E. The Queer Utility of Narrative Case Studies for Clinical Social Work Research and Practice. Clin Soc Work J 45, 227–237 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-017-0622-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-017-0622-9