This landmark volume tackles the long overdue critical examination and evaluation of the state of the art of field instruction in social work education. For the first time, the findings of empirical research are consolidated to review, test, and question prevailing assumptions in social work field instruction. The vigorous assessment of the state of the art in field instruction, the field placement process, field instructors, and students enables the social work profession to reflect upon its accomplishments and review its practices. Provocative, informative, and controversial, Empirical Studies in Field Instruction also urges the profession to make changes and to insist on continued high caliber empirical research efforts in field instruction. It is an excellent resource for directors of field instruction, faculty field liaisons, field instructors, social work students, classroom instructors, researchers, and doctoral students.