The Case Perspective in Professional Praxis and in its Reflexive Self-Appraisal: Some General Considerations based on an Empirical Example from the Field of Family Mediation

Authors

  • Kai-Olaf Maiwald Universität Osnabrück

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-9.1.321

Keywords:

case, case perspective, professional action, mediation

Abstract

In this article it is argued that developing a specific case perspective is of crucial importance for professions. The argument proceeds in two steps: First, the structural elements that are associated with the use of the term "case" are explicated and an explanation is offered why a reference to cases is characteristic for professions. Second, a problematic empirical example from the context of family mediation illustrates that a case perspective structures both the professional praxis of interacting with a client as well as the reflexive self-appraisal of this praxis. It will, furthermore, be argued that the absence of such a case perspective has precarious implications for the praxis of intervention as well as for reflecting about this praxis. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs080138

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Author Biography

Kai-Olaf Maiwald, Universität Osnabrück

Kai-Olaf MAIWALD ist Mitarbeiter am Institut für Sozialforschung, Frankfurt am Main, und Privatdozent an der Universität Tübingen; Forschungsschwerpunkte: Paar- und Familiensoziologie, Professionssoziologie, hermeneutische Sozialforschung, Biographieforschung, Geschlechtersoziologie, Rechtssoziologie.

Published

2008-01-31

How to Cite

Maiwald, K.-O. (2008). The Case Perspective in Professional Praxis and in its Reflexive Self-Appraisal: Some General Considerations based on an Empirical Example from the Field of Family Mediation. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-9.1.321