FUNCTIONS OF SCIENTIFIC AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN THE SYSTEM OF SOCIAL WORK

In the article the functions of scientific and research activities of social workers are examined. Social function defines the values and ethics of professional orientation, reveals the social aspects of the profession. Intersocial function is related to objective laws of macro-social development of society, including globalization, social inequality, demographic and environmental problems, poverty and so on. System function determines the relationship and interdependence of all components of social work as a system. Integrative function accumulates intellectual and conceptual possibilities of individual sciences by achieving unity of knowledge in various aspects. Prognostic function determines the strategy of development of social work, its interaction with the internal organizational and technological structures of social sphere and external factors of development of the individual person and society. Modeling function represents the possibility of extending the practice by solving problems of management of social work from the standpoint of consistency, comprehensiveness and integrity of social practices. Information function involves the development of a system of scientifically based knowledge about social problems, their solutions by means of social work. Communicative function is to provide the professional communication by sharing the results of research activities that allow to vary the content and form of communicative interactions in a professional environment. Technological function provides the transformation of modern theories of development of society, human, social work into technology by integrating means of research activities of specialist. Motivational function enables the use of means of research activity to stimulate motivation of purposeful learning of social worker, reflecting his ethical obligation (to the client, the professional community and society in general) with the development of effective social work practice. Training function promotes the use of research methods to develop and enhance the reflexive forms of thinking, creative activity of social worker. Reflective function determines ways of creating of specialist who understands the trends of development in terms of a wide range of social problems and makes all necessary changes to increase his professional competence and training. In the article there are analyzed some interrelated elements in the structure of social work, that provide the implementation of scientific research. It is proved that social work at different levels involves two types of activities - regulated and search activity.