Library Guides: Social Work: Evidence Based Practice

Evidence Based Practice

According to the The Social Work Policy Institute, evidence based practice (EBP) “is a process in which the practitioner combines well-researched interventions with clinical experience and ethics, and client preferences and culture to guide and inform the delivery of treatments and services. The practitioner, researcher and client must work together in order to identify what works, for whom and under what conditions.” EBP features in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.

Evidence Based Practice Steps:

ASK - Convert the need for information into a focused question. Consider using the COPES (Shlonsky & Gibbs, 2004) tool to develop your question.
ACQUIRE - Track down the best evidence with which to answer that question.
APPRAISE - Critically appraise the evidence for its validity, impact, and applicability.
APPLY - Integrate the evidence with your clinical expertise and ethics as well as your client's characteristics and values.
ASSESS - Assess the results of your intervention.

Shlonsky, A., & Gibbs, L. (2004). Will the real evidence-based practice please stand up? Teaching the process of evidence-based practice to the helping professions. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 4(2), 137-153.

EBP Resources

Campbell Collaboration
The Campbell Collaboration produces and promotes systematic reviews and other evidence-based resources on social and economic issues.

Cochrane Library
The Cochrane Library contains the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Cochrane Clinical Answers that offer different types of high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making.
TRIP
A clinical search engine providing access to research evidence supporting practice and/or patient care. This database also includes clinical images, videos, patient information leaflets, educational courses and news.

Evidence Based Practice & Policy Online Resource Training Center (Columbia University)
The EBPP Online Center provides training materials, publications, and other resources to aid practitioners from a variety of helping professions in the process of formulating sound professional judgments that necessarily precede, shape, and direct thoughtfully selected assessments and interventions.
Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development
The Blueprints mission is to identify evidence-based prevention and intervention programs that are effective in reducing antisocial behavior and promoting a healthy course of youth development.
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
The mission of the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC) is to advance the effective implementation of evidence-based practices for children and families involved with the child welfare system.
EBP Substance Use Database (University of Washington)
The EBP Substance Use Database is a small, but growing, database of evidence-based interventions for treating substance use disorders.
Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center (SAMHSA)
The Resource Center contains a collection of scientifically-based resources for a broad range of audiences, including Treatment Improvement Protocols, toolkits, resource guides, clinical practice guidelines, and other science-based resources.