Week 1: Evidence-Based Practice: What, Why, and How

Imagine if the microbiologist relied on intuition when examining cells for a cancer diagnosis. Consider the consequences if a teacher relied only on perception when assigning grades.

Evidence-based practice provides an alternative to relying on intuition or another individual’s authority when implementing interventions. Evidence-based practice enables social workers to scientifically and systematically evaluate interventions, validating time honored approaches and gaining a greater understanding of why and when they are effective. In other cases, the evidence-based research may indicate a different approach is warranted to successfully implement an intervention.

This week, you identify the characteristics of evidence-based practice and analyze supporting factors and obstacles to implementing it in your social work practice. You will apply evidence-based practice to a case study using information that you find in an evidence-based practice registry. You will also evaluate the usefulness of such registries.

Students will:

• Identify characteristics of evidence-based practice and programs
• Analyze supporting factors and obstacles for implementing evidence-based practice
• Apply evidence-based practice research to a case study

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Document: Thyer, B. (2010). Introductory principles of social work research. In B. Thyer (Ed.), The handbook of social work research methods (2nd ed., pp.1–8). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. (PDF)

Copyright 2010 by Sage Publications, Inc.

Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Inc. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Document: Cooney, S. M., Huser, C. M., Small, S., & O’Connor, C. (2007). Evidence-based programs: An overview. What Works, Wisconsin —Research to Practice Series, (6), 1–8. Retrieved from http://whatworks.uwex.edu/attachment/whatworks_06.pdf (PDF)

Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Madison/Extension.

Document: O’Connor, C., Small, S. A., & Cooney, S. M. (2007). Program fidelity and adaptation: Meeting local needs without compromising program effectiveness. What Works, Wisconsin —Research to Practice Series, (4), 1–6. Retrieved from http://whatworks.uwex.edu/attachment/whatworks_04.pdf (PDF)

Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Madison/Extension.

Document: Small, S. A., Cooney, S. M., Eastman G. & O’Connor, C. (2007). Guidelines for selecting an evidence-based program: Balancing community needs, program quality, and organizational resources. What Works, Wisconsin —Research to Practice Series, (3), 1–6. Retrieved from whatworks.uwex.edu/attachment/whatworks_03.pdf (PDF)

Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Madison/Extension.

University of Wisconsin Extension. (2007). Research to practice report briefs. Retrieved from http://whatworks.uwex.edu/Pages/1researchbriefs.html

Document: Small, S. A., Reynolds, A. J., O’Connor, C., & Cooney, S. M. (2005). What works, Wisconsin: What science tells us about cost-effective programs for juvenile delinquency prevention. Retrieved from http://whatworks.uwex.edu/attachment/whatworkswisconsin.pdf (PDF)

Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Madison/Extension.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). Evidence-based practices resource center. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/ebp-resource-center

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. (2018). Program registry. Retrieved from http://www.cebc4cw.org/home/

National Association of Social workers. (n.d.). Evidence-based practice. https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Research-Data/Social-Work-Policy-Research/Evidence-Based-Practice

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013d). MSW homepage [Interactive media]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Bradley family episode 4 [Video file]. In Sessions. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

 

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.

Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript

Credit: Provided courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.

Discussion: Characteristics, Challenges, and Opportunities of Evidence-Based Design

Consider the following quotation: “Often times, potential users of research knowledge are unconnected to those who do the research, and consequently a huge gap ensues between research knowledge and practice behaviors” (Barwick, M., Boudell, K., Stasiulis, E., Ferguson, H., Blase, K., & Fixsen, D., 2005). Social workers must work to close the gap perceived by the authors of this quote.

In your previous research course, you addressed the concept of evidence-based practice. However, it is important not to fall into a habit of using the term “evidence-based practice” without a clear understanding of its meaning. In particular, it is important to understand what standards of evidence must exist to classify an intervention or a program as evidence based. In this assignment, you are to clarify your understanding of the nature of evidence-based practice and analyze the challenges and opportunities for implementing evidence-based practice in your current social work practice.

To prepare for this Discussion, read the Learning Resources that provide information about different aspects of the evidence-based practice concept. As you read, consider how evidence-based practice or evidence- based programs might be used in a social work agency where you work or where you had a practicum experience.

By Day 3

Post a description of the distinguishing characteristics of evidenced-based practice. Then provide an evaluation of factors that might support or impede your efforts in adopting evidence-based practice or evidence-based programs.

By Day 5

Respond to at least two colleagues by noting the similarities and differences in the factors that would support or impede your colleague’s implementation of evidence-based practice as noted in his or her post to those that would impact your implementation of evidence-based practice as noted in your original post. Offer a solution for addressing one of the factors that would impede your colleague’s implementation of evidence-based practice.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 1 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 5

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 1 Discussion

Assignment: Accessing Information About Evidence-Based Practices

The first steps toward narrowing the gap between research and practice are recognizing that one exists and educating oneself and others. Social workers must realize the benefits and eliminate the misconceptions surrounding evidence-based practice. In the Bradley episode featured in the resources, the social worker combines her assessment of Tiffani Bradley’s individual situation with her knowledge of research to evaluate her supervisor’s recommended intervention. Now that the social worker has recognized a gap, she/he/they need to access potentially relevant information for a specific case and critically analyze for its applicability to that case. This week’s Assignment allows you to practice these critical next steps in the Bradley family case.

To prepare for this Assignment, review Episode 4 of the Bradley family case study. Develop a list with 2–3 researchable questions that you could use to find evidence about the efficacy of 12-step programs or other treatments for substance abuse in adolescents. Then, using the resources provided, search for two evidence-based interventions that would be appropriate for Tiffani Bradley. Be sure to consider quality of research, readiness for dissemination, replications, and costs.

By Day 7

Submit a 2- to 3-page paper that includes the following:

• Summaries of the two interventions and their respective research regarding effectiveness
• Recommendations for Tiffani’s social worker that address the following:
  • Factors to consider when choosing between the two interventions
  • The social work skills that the staff would require to implement the intervention
  • The training required to implement each intervention
• An evaluation of evidenced-based practice based on your reaction to the experience, in which you address the following questions:
  • Would you, as a beginning researcher, have enough knowledge to benefit from researching evidence-based practices? Why or why not?
  • How might the research that you conducted increase your confidence in the intervention with Tiffani?
  • Is the information provided enough to make a decision regarding interventions? Why or why not?
• Appropriate APA citations in your writing

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

• Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
• Click the Week 1 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
• Click the Week 1 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
• Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK1Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
• If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
• Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 1 Assignment Rubric

Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity

To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:

Submit your Week 1 Assignment draft and review the originality report.

Submit Your Assignment by Day 7

To submit your Assignment:

Week 1 Assignment

Week in Review

In this week, you identified the characteristics of evidence-based practice and analyze supporting factors and obstacles to implementing it in your social work practice.

In the next week, you will conduct research on evidence-based practices and evaluate their appropriateness for a case study. You will also evaluate the implementation of an evidence-based practice.

To go to the next week:

Week 2