Practical Research for the Solution-Focused Practitioner: A Follow-Up to Wheeler’s Article on Quick and Dirty Research

Abstract

In a recent article in this journal, Wheeler (2014) encouraged practitioners to engage in practical research illustrated by some of his experiences. In addition, he encouraged a movement from evidence-based practice to practice-based evidence. The purpose of this article is to amplify some of the points made in that article with particular attention to (a) guidelines for practical research for the clinician, and (b) a clarification of the distinctions between evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence. In the first part of this article, practitioners are encouraged to engage in research that adheres to fundamental principles of science without becoming obsessed with technical perfection. In this pursuit, the practitioner can partner with experts who could be technical consultants while the process of study is under the leadership of the practitioner. In the second part of this article, solution-focused practice is discussed in regard to distinctions between practice-based evidence and two different ways of conceptualizing evidence-based practice. The evidence on solution-focused practice makes its use consistent with both of the views of evidence-based practice and with the perspective of practice-based evidence.