Evidence-based practice and decision analysis in social work: an implementation model

Stephen Webb*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article on evidence-based practice and decision analysis develops an implementation model for social work. Thus far no detailed attempt has been made to formulate a systematic implementation framework for evidence-based practice in social work. • Findings: The social and cultural, the professional and practice-based, and the educational and training contexts are highlighted. The emergence of evidence-based practice is placed within the context of risk society and the development of new expert systems that contribute to a radical re-shaping of social work practice. In the inevitable shift towards an actuarial practice, direct and therapeutic involvement with service users becomes less significant for social work. Following the work of Trinder (2000) two key approaches to evidence-based practice are discussed: the experimental and pragmatic perspectives. • Application: By drawing on the latter, a systems approach is developed via nine key related structures which constitute an implementation framework for evidence-based practice.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)45-63
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Social Work
Volume2
Issue number1
Early online dateApr 2002
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • actuarial practice
  • decision analysis
  • evidence-based practice
  • expert systems
  • risk

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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