Having established why and how, he, a sociologist of “social work in action” has sometimes become a historian, or more exactly a social historian, the author presents to us the ins and outs of two research programmes conducted in contrasting and methodological conditions. These involve, on the one hand, studies on the emergence of the maladjusted children sector and the profession of special needs teacher, both quite traditional in their approach, and, on the other hand, an investigation conducted over a (...) long period of time, and even published with the actors concerned, which sought to explore the history of certain family associations founded on the Social Catholicism model. He concludes by emphasising why it is necessary to update his problematisation on a regular basis and by reiterating the need for favourable institutional and professional conditions, to ensure that research does not slide towards a mere exchange of points of view. (shrink)