Book Reviews is the struggle between Cuba on the OIl(} hand, arolemodelofrevolution 103 factors come into play, plus the influence of Marxism-Leninism. But more important for Latin America, supporting revolutionary movements, and America on the other hand, preventing establishment of radical governments. The Philippines revolu- tionary movements also stems from acute poverty among the masses and the oppression of the Marcos government. The legitimate govemmentofMarcos was overthrown when it lost mass support. The ANC of South Africa and PLO represent special cases of revolutionary movements. Their aim is not to transform the whole social structure but only the political to the majority Africans and Palestinians respectively. system by giving power The case study of UNIT A in Angola highlights an anti-Marxist rebel move- ment challenging the legitimate Marxist-oriented government. However, it has no revolutionary goals. The main argument of the authors in their analysis of revolutions in the Third Wodd is that incumbent governments create conditions conducive to revolutions because of their exploitative policies and oppression-but more important the use of force in response to protests and pressure for change by groups in society. In view of mass poverty and misery arising from structural adjustment programmes undertaken by most Third Wodd governments and declining export revenues of the Third Wodd, the potential for revolutionary upheavals are tremendous. Defmitely, the authors offer a rich, collective effort on revolution and political change which is of considerable interest to students of politics and political economy. Reviewed by Dr Bertha Osei-Hwedie, Lecturer, Politit:a1 and Administrative Studies Department, University of Botswana. Benyamin Chetkow- Yanoov, Social Work Practice: A Systems Approach, The Haworth Press, Inc, New York, 1992, ISBN 1-56024-175-6 (bib), 1-56024-176- 4 (p!b), 149 pp inc index. Price: $24,95 (bib), $14,95 (p!b). The main purpose of the book isto offera systems approach as a toolfor social work and other helping professionals. Through the use of the systems-based model. Chetkow- Yanoov believes that practitioners have a chance not only to develop sensitivity and an ability to create links, but also to sharpen the understanding of how sub-units interact within a large unit. Further, the author demonstrates how practitioners in the field of social work, equipped with the principles of systems, can influence social policy through various processes. He also provides an oppor- tunity to test the applicability of me systems concept to "a variety of micro and macro practice situations". Unlike other authors, Chetkow- Yanoov presents the The book under discussion consists of eight chapters. The ftrst chapter which is an introduction discusses the system and environment as concepts with various examples. The idea is to familiarise the reader with the necessary concepts and establish a basis for discussion. Chapter Two outlines a system-oriented model of social work, types of systems, various features of the systems and systems change. Chapters Five and Six examine systems analysis of some social work practice as well as a model of conflict resolution. Basically these chapters provide the reader with an understanding of systems, through practical examples of how to analyse a system and a representation of how to resolve a conflict in social work. The last chapter discusses implications of the system approach and provides a conclusion. The author has written an interesting and useful text on the systems approach. The book is not a pioneering work on the systems approach, but the author makes a unique effort to provide abundant basic concepts and characteristics of systems to prepare the reader for multi-level and multi-environment analyses. The author demonstrates a comprehensive and studious familiarity and understanding of the systems approach. Perhaps the greatest strength of the book are the numerous illustrations in the chapters and exercises after every chapter. This aspect of the book creates an occasion for the author to move from the abstract to the reality level. This aspect also reflects a considerable pedagogical talent and skill. While Chetkow-Yanoov has done an excellent work of writing such an easy- to-read book on systems approach, a reader well-versed with some background in the systems approach may fmd the book simplistic. The book would readily ftnd use among students at Diploma and Certiftcate programmes, and at the pre-entry level to a Bachelor of Social Wode:.From the many examples provided in the book the author has displayed an abundant knowledge, but the treatment lacks the s0- phistication and depth for the inquiring mind at a higher level Book Reviews 104 system approach for social work practice in a down-to-earth fashion. He applies the systems and ecological concepts in various situations with ease and clarity. The in- tention is quite clear: to afford professionals of social work "in need" with some readily available material for use. Inanother respect, the author tends to share a similar tendency common among many theorists of the systems theory, who tend to portray the systems approach as an "omnipotent" approach or as a "mega" approach through which all human situations can be resolved. Also that any human problematic situation can easily be disentangled through the use of systems approach. This type of understanding is not only misleading but dangerous especially for budding professionals. The understanding may not only create false conftdence in the practitioner who totally believes in this "tool" for practice - but a sense of failure, frustration and disillu- sionment may immediately follow after a rude realisatibn that the approach, after all, is not an answer to all human problems. Book Reviews 105 The book is one of many on the systems approach but has made a definite contribution, which is to be welcomed. Reviewed by Dr Lengwe-Katembula Mwansa, Senior Lecturer, University of Botswana. Gillespie, D F and Glisson, D (008) (1993) Quantitative Methods Work: State of the art, Haworth Press, New York, ISBN: 1-56024-275-2,228 inc index. in Social pp of the National One of the outcomes Institute of Mental Health Task Force on Social Work Research is this edited collection of examples of the use of quantita- Initiated by the realisation that only a scattering of social workers tive methods. carry out research in the field of mental health, the Task Force analysed social wode research articles published 1977 and 1988. between the increase of convenience. The report found that although the use of advanced analytic techniques was the research tended to use «...quick, inexpensive and relatively simple increasing, research methods" , for example, cross-sectional designs and samples in the more advanced methods needs to be encouraged because they improve the researcher's ability to study complex social problems and interventions while reducing the risk of oversimplification error. Hence the idea of stimulating further research applying advanced methods. The editors argue that through this collection and quasi-experimental including descriptive The authors of the papers in this volume assume the reader is familiar with basic statistics and elementary inferential issues: measure- variables in quantita- techniques to analyse research methodology, techniques. The volume focuses on three types of methodological ment; tive analysis; and issues surrounding complex social phenomena. Three papers are devoted to each of these issues. of non-quantitative the use of quantitative issues related to the incorporation and inferential of examples development The measurement software packages equation modelling. The papers on the analysis of oon-qualitative of complex and abstract concepts used in social work is by Nugent and Hankins who evaluate Hudson's Generalised Content- that can be variable vari- by analysis by Combs- of event history analysis by Fraser, Pecora, Popuang and the question of how to model complex social phenomena, effects; while Coulton and Chow analyse interac- and finally Streeter and Gillespie present an ap- addressed ment Scale; Kronick and Silver examine different used for content analysis; and Orme and Fickling describe the useoflatent structural ables using quantitative methods Morrow-Howell Orme; and a presentation Haapala Addressing Koeske describes moderation tions using regression techniques; plication of network analysis. a paper on logistic of log-linear includes the application and Proctor; regression