Since the first organizational meetings of the Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, various chartered members have expressed an interest in the development of special issues. This was during the days prior to having a publisher!  During that time, ideas for special issues that bounced around included ethical topics related to technology, disabilities, rural practice, research, and academic honesty.  Flyers were mailed by U.S. post and listservs to every accredited social work program.  These same flyers were distributed at various conferences – particularly the APM, BPD, and a few chapters of NASW.  Few expressed an interest.  

I had almost given up on the idea of including special issues, but decided to employ informal channels of distribution. Instead of using the U.S. mail and various listservs, I decided to use “word of mouth.”  When I attended a particularly good presentation at a conference, I began to ask the authors their interest in conducting a special issue. This explains how I came in contact with Peggy Pittman-Munke and Mike Berghoef – the guest editors of this issue.  I was really impressed with their presentation on plagiarism.   Both of them immediately loved the idea of editing a special issue.  Me too!  I am very much impressed with their work and believe that this issue will be frequently cited by many in and outside of social work.

THANKS Peggy and Mike!

Steve

Stephen M. Marson, Senior Editor, JSWVE