In this dissertation, the author proposes a definition for rights-based practice in social work as practice that sees through a human rights lens, employs human rights methods, and aims towards human rights goals. Beyond the definition, a theoretically-grounded framework for Human Rights Practice in Social Work (HRPSW) is derived from the existing literature, and then measures of core HRPSW--human rights lens in social work and human rights methods in social work--are validated using survey research methods and factor analysis. The scales were validated using survey methodology on a sample of 1,014 Florida Licensed Clinical Social Workers. Factor analysis confirmed a two-factor, 11-item model for Human Rights Lens in Social Work (HRLSW) scale, consisting of two subscales, Clients are seen as experiencing rights violations, and Social problems are seen as rights violations. In Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), a respecified model (allowing one error covariance) fit the data very well. All of the fit indices were within their critical values (χ2/df ratio = 1.5; CFI =.99; TLI =.99; RMSEA =.03; SRMR =.03). For the Human Rights Methods in Social Work (HRMSW), factor analysis confirmed a suite of eight inter-related scales: (1) participation (5 items); (2) nondiscrimination (6 items); (3) strengths-based perspective (5 items); (4) micro/macro integration (6 items); (5) capacity-building (5 items); (6) community & interdisciplinary collaboration (5 items); (7) activism (5 items); and (8) accountability (6 items). Again, CFA confirmed a good fit between the respecified model (allowing eight error covariances) and the data (χ2/df ratio = 2.9; CFI =.91; TLI =.90; RMSEA =.04; SRMR =.07). This definition, the framework, and the accompanying measures can all be used by social workers, educators, and researchers to assert social work's role as a human rights profession. This dissertation is a call for a greater focus on human rights and social justice within social work practice, and represents a significant step forward in the field of social work and human rights. The HRPSW framework proposed here creates a concrete point of reference for what previously has been an undefined construct. With a definition in hand, it is now possible for social work educators to teach human rights practice, for practitioners to practice it, and for researchers to evaluate it. Advocates have argued that human rights are a more tangible and defined way of setting goals for social work action than our traditional aim of social justice (Mapp, 2008; Pyles, 2006; Reichert, 2011); the scales validated in this dissertation can help social workers to test this proposition.
