Evidence-based Social Work Practice: Finding Evidence

Abstract

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 Oxford Bibliographies articles in Social Work “Evidence-Based Social Work Practice: Issues, Controversies, and Debates” and the “Evidence-Based Social Work Practice.”