The use of conceptual frameworks to investigate the structure- agency link in comparative immigration policy and its relevance to social work

This chapter discusses how conceptual frameworks can be utilised as a methodological and theoretical tool to study the structure-agency link in social investigations. The specific case of comparative immigration policy and its relevance to social work will be discussed. The aim of this chapter is to outline a strategy for the investigation of the structure-agency link which should be useful for social work researchers and for practitioners who are interested in the construction, maintenance or change of social structures (in particular those related to immigration).