The Social Work Dictionary

Book excerpt: Barker's fifth edition adds more than 1,000 terms and updates some 2,000, now offering 9,000 defined terms, some internationally recognized and some in common if improper use (with explanations why competent professionals consider their use improper). It is valuable for human services professionals and for academic readers, first-year students to seasoned experts. Barker explains that definitions for every term have been evaluated, edited, and modified by a panel of not less than three experts and two editors. This edition holds place as an invaluable and highly acclaimed ready reference for definitions, organizations, concepts, and values relevant to social work and human services. Biographies are included for distinguished deceased members of the social work profession. A chronology of significant policies and practices and a list of acronyms are also included. The author invites practitioners to participate in compiling future editions. Copyright 2004 American Library Association.