Evidence-based Social Work Practice: Finding Evidence

by

Edward J. Mullen

Introduction

This entry identifies and describes bibliographic resources useful for finding social work interventions that are evidence based. These interventions include assessment procedures, specific social work practices, and more complex social programs. The citations in this entry refer to such interventions as evidence-based practices, empirically supported interventions (or treatments or therapies), empirically validated treatments, research-based treatments, and evidence-informed interventions. Related terms are “practice guidelines,” “best practices,” and “model programs.” Most often these latter three terms are used to refer to interventions that are based on some combination of professional consensus, expert opinion, and research evidence, whereas the former five refer to practices supported by research evidence. Because there is a range of expert opinions about what criteria should be used to establish a practice as evidence based, this entry takes an inclusive approach to the topic and includes citations for finding evidence-based practices broadly defined. This entry provides guidance for locating key introductory works, textbooks, bibliographies, journals, and evidence-based practice references for practices with specific populations and in specific problem areas. Because by its nature evidence is continually being updated as new research findings emerge, most reference works are in electronic format, permitting continuous or frequent updating. If available, relevant traditional texts, journals, and reference works are recommended as well. This entry complements the Evidence-based Social Work Practice: Issues, Controversies, and Debates entry

Introductory Works

Because of the explosion of information sources now available, it can be a major challenge for social workers to efficiently locate credible and usable information identifying evidence-based practices. Therefore a first step in locating evidence-based practice is to become familiar with the types of information resources that are available. The citations in this section provide an orientation to where to find such information. To better understand the types of information sources available for locating evidence-based practices, including advantages and disadvantages of those sources, readers should begin with Haynes 2006. Haynes describes five types of information sources (5S); namely, reports of individual research studies, evidence syntheses, synopses of the evidence, evidence summaries, and information systems. References to sources of each of these types are provided in subsequent sections of this entry (with the exception of information systems). The Evidence-based Behavioral-Practice Online Training Modules and the Research and Empirical Applications for Curriculum Enhancement in Social Work(REACH-SW) curriculum enhancement CD-ROM provide excellent orientations to finding evidence in support of evidence-based practices. The Roberts and Yeager 2004 manual is a good place to begin to locate Internet sources.

• Evidence-based Behavioral-Practice (EBBP). Search for evidence module. Online Training Modules.

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  This module, which is freely accessible, provides a video introduction to finding evidence, including a description of the R. Brian Haynes “5S” framework. Select part 3, “Choosing a Resource.” The module takes approximately thirty minutes to complete.

• Haynes, R. Brian. 2006. Of studies, syntheses, synopses, summaries, and systems: The ‘5S’ evolution of information services for evidence-based health care decisions. American College of Physicians (ACP) Journal Club 145, no. 3: A8–A9.

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  This brief editorial is a good place to start when considering how to find evidence-based practices. The title identifies five types of information sources to consider. Haynes suggests that, when searching for evidence, one should begin by looking for evidence information systems, then evidence summaries, then synopses of the evidence, then evidence syntheses, and then individual studies.

• Module 2: Finding research evidence. In Research and empirical applications for curriculum enhancement in social work (REACH-SW). CD-ROM. 2008. Silver Spring, MD: Danya International.

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  This CD-ROM, which can be purchased online, is a fine resource for faculty members at any level of social work education preparing courses designed to teach evidence-based practice. Module 2, “Finding Research Evidence,” provides resources for finding evidence-based practices.

• Roberts, Albert R., and Kenneth R. Yeager. 2004. Internet resources on evidence-based practice and research in health care and human services. In Evidence-based practice manual: Research and outcome measures in health and human services. Edited by Albert R. Roberts and Kenneth R. Yeager. New York: Oxford University Press.

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  Use this appendix to locate a wide range of resources for evidence-based practices in health and the human services. Especially useful for social workers is the section on evidence-based practice and the human services. In addition to Internet resources, key texts are listed.