In recent years, professional practice in health and welfare has come under increasing scrutiny. The dominant response to this has been technical and procedural, as epitomized by the evidence based practice movement. This book offers an alternative, and equally rigorous approach to helping professionals to understand and analyze their practice. Drawing on a hitherto under-utilized literature about argument and persuasion, originating in qualitative research, ethnomethodology, conversation analysis and discursive psychology, the book provides a new perspective on the concept of professional reflexivity. It explores, not only how knowledge is used in professional practice, but how it is made and generated in everyday encounters. It should be a valuable resource for practitioners in health and welfare as well as students in social science disciplines.