A Historical Perspective on Evaluation Research

Abstract

Editor's Note: Professor Polansky was a pioneer in promoting empirical research within the field of social work. The editor of our field's earliest research textbook [Polansky, N. (Ed.) (1960). Social work research. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press], Dr. Polansky's involvement as a student, practitioner, and researcher with some of the major figures of psychological and social work research renders his historical observations of particular interest to contemporary social workers. This essay was submitted at the invitation of the Editor.