Action research: a key instrument for social work intervention in social problems – the role of schools in teaching research

The consolidation of social work as a professional discipline requires practices grounded in rigorous diagnosis and solid theoretical training. This article analyses action research as a key method for integrating theory and practice, enabling an understanding of and intervention in the social dynamics that generate inequality. It argues that action research fosters critical thinking and social transformation by promoting the empowerment of professionals, institutions and social actors.