Investigating roles of social workers in the process of professional activity

In the article there are analyzed the research roles of social worker that he takes in the process of professional activity – consumer of knowledge, partner of research, creator and distributor of new knowledge. It is proved that the role of consumer of knowledge derives from the target set of profession that determines the choice of the most effective methods of work and ethical obligations of social worker to consumers of services. Performing of this role requires the ability to establish a social diagnosis and evaluate resources of social institutions, capabilities of client and his social environment; conscious and purposeful selection of methods and means of activity according to current theories of social work; forecasting the prospects of life's journey of client after termination of social work with him. It is determined that the specialist of social work carries out that the role of partner of research in the process of implementation of the project as a member of the research team. For this, he must know a theory and methodology of social work and allied sciences (sociology, psychology, etc.); must have skills to use various methods of theoretical and empirical research; be able to implement them in their own research activities; productively interact with other members of the research team. It is proved that social worker carries out the role of creator and distributor of knowledge while conducting his independent scientific research and implementation of its results into practice. To fulfill this role the previous preparation is required, which is not only in education but also in gaining personal experience of research in the profession. It is established that the individual components of research activity available in all subsystems of social work - during direct social work with clients; during the management and administration work at different levels of social services; during information, guidance, training and educational activities. The characteristic features of the research activity of social workers are determined: parallel study of social problem from two perspectives: research and practice-transforming, moreover the goals of the first are subordinated to the second; dedication and systematic use of special means and methods of operation; fixing the results using a specially created symbolic and logical means; previous methodological and theoretical training, that is necessary for the implementation of research activities.