What is Evidence Based Practice?
Evidence Based Practice is about using the best available evidence on the effectiveness of social and healthcare interventions as a basis for professional decision-making, along with the practitioner's expertise and the client's expectations and values. The Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) says that social workers should “make use of research to inform practice”. It should be used in partnership with the individual to provide the most effective care. (From What is evidence based practice by Community Care).
The following online databases will help you find relevant, current and high quality research.
There are a number of databases which provide access to up-to-date research in Social Work which you can use to ensure you are finding the best information possible. When undertaking research, you should understand that you are looking at different ideas and practices to inform your own practice, rather than finding a single solution for a problem.
The following databases can be used to find this information.
Discover Searches across lots of databases and journals
Research in Practice brings together evidence-based resources for health and social care, including briefings, practice tools and customer guides. The resource includes audio and video, case law and a range of articles. Topics include child abuse, mental health, domestic abuse and safeguarding.
Please note: students can only access the free resources on RiP. Please ask your lecturers or the Librarian to access resources that are locked.
NSPCC research directory | NSPCC Learning
The NSPCC delivers, partners, funds and commissions research to:
Use the NSPCC Research Directory to browse recently published NSPCC research, briefings and findings that share the latest insights about children, young people and their families.
https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis
Explore the King's Fund independent insight and analysis of health and care in England. The King's fund aims to provide independent analysis, explain key issues and respond to developments across the breadth of health and care, making sense of a complex and changing landscape. This will underpin all the work we do. and changing landscape.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/
The House of Commons Library is a research and information service based in the UK Parliament.
Their research publications offer politically impartial analysis and statistics. They cover legislation, topical areas, policy and constituency issues. Their publications are free for everyone to read on this website.
Some useful guidance about evidence based practice, and how to evaluate a piece of academic research.
Evidence-informed practice for social workers
Evidence-Based Practice in Social Work
At a time when the credibility of social work is again being questioned, this book offers a critical approach to the debate concerning the reliability and validity of the evidence, research and knowledge that underpins professional social work practice. It critiques the notion of ′evidence′ and argues that ′knowledge′ is a much broader, more appropriate concept to consider. There is analysis of the different components and sources of this knowledge and an exploration of the often discordant interface between practice and knowledge. Finally, it supports the view that knowledge can be actively developed and tested by a range of people.
