Teaching Master's and Doctoral Social Work Students to Systematically Evaluate Evidence-Based Interventions

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 320-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Auslander ◽  
Colleen Fisher ◽  
Marcia Ollie ◽  
ManSoo Yu
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Evidence Based

scholarly journals How to Teach Evidence-Based Practice in Social Work: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Spensberger ◽  
Ingo Kollar ◽  
Eileen Gambrill ◽  
Christian Ghanem ◽  
Sabine Pankofer
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Procedural Knowledge ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Empirically Supported

Purpose: This article presents a systematic review of research regarding how best to educate social work students and practitioners concerning of the process of evidence-based practice and/or the application of empirically supported treatments (ESTs). Method: We conducted a systematic review with a narrative synthesis, largely following the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews for Interventions and PRISMA reporting guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Results: Twenty-seven studies met our eligibility criteria. These consisted mostly of uncontrolled designs and their measures relied mainly on learners’ self-perception regarding acquisition of declarative and procedural knowledge, motivation, and satisfaction. Reports were mostly positive (88.7%). Conclusions: Research regarding the education of social work students and practitioners about the process of evidence-based practice as well as ESTs is limited. Further investigation is needed concerning the effectiveness of specific teaching methods using controlled designs and more rigorous outcome measures including observation of practice in real-life situations and/or in role-plays.

Fostering Practice Self-Efficacy: An Exercise to Promote Student Self-Efficacy and Evidence-Based Practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31
Author(s):  
Lydia Ogden
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Educational Policy ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Professional Responsibility ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Accreditation Standards

This teaching note describes my experience discovering and addressing challenges to graduating baccalaureate social work students' self-efficacy, particularly on the use of a substance-use-oriented evidence-based practice (EBP) in fieldwork placements. This discovery led to the development of an exercise, presented here, to proactively identify and address such challenges. The exercise consists of a structured discussion that invokes theory and professional responsibility, followed by the instructor modeling role playing for the class. The exercise culminates in dyadic role playing between students with individualized feedback provided by the professor. In addition to promoting student self-efficacy, the exercise is designed to address practice competencies specified by the Council on Social Work Education's Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards and specifically to promote the use of EBP in the field.

Building Field Agencies' Capacity to Prepare Staff and Social Work Students for Evidence-Based Trauma Treatments

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia C. Strand ◽  
Marciana Popescu ◽  
Ineke Way ◽  
Annette Semanchin Jones
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Implementation Framework ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Empirically Supported Treatment ◽  
National Implementation ◽  
Schools Of Social Work

Preparing MSW students to use an evidence-based approach to practice and implement empirically supported treatment protocols is imperative for social work education. Both classroom education and field experience are needed. Six schools of social work collaborated with field agencies to assist them in developing the capacity to implement evidence-based trauma treatments (EBTTs) and train social work students in these models. The study used a multisite, interrupted-time series design to assess organizational readiness to implement EBTTs at an agency. Faculty used the National Implementation Research Network implementation framework in their consultation with agencies. Findings from three agencies are used to explore the tasks in each implementation stage. Implications include the possibility of leveraging the motivation of field agencies to collaborate with schools of social work in order to implement evidence-based practice. Results also point to the relevance of using an implementation framework to guide capacity building.

Teaching Note: Using Adult Learning Principles for Evidence-Based Learning in a BSW Research Course

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 355-365
Author(s):  
Laneshia R. Conner ◽  
Sonyia Richardson ◽  
April L. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Adult Learning ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Social Work Research ◽  
Learning Tasks ◽  
Adult Learning Principles ◽  
Improving Student Learning ◽  
Learning Principles

Many social work students report experiencing feelings of anxiety and reluctance to engage in independent research. This article offers a framework for integrating adult learning principles into an undergraduate social work research course. We delineate the six principles of adult learning and describe course activities that facilitate this learning process. For each principle, we discuss implications for the classroom and related learning tasks. Using adult learning principles challenges and extends what is known about integrating the experience of adult learners in conjunction with improving student learning, including effectively communicating evidence-based practice.

Merging information literacy and evidence-based practice for social work students

2016 ◽  
Vol 117 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 201-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tricia Jane Bingham ◽  
Josie Wirjapranata ◽  
Shirley-Ann Chinnery
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Social Work Students ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Constructivist Teaching ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
The University ◽  
Solution Focused

Purpose – This paper outlines a teaching and learning collaboration between information literacy (IL) professionals and a social work academic at The University of Auckland. The collaboration was developed for the purpose of introducing evidence-based practice (EBP) and related IL skills to a third-year social work cohort preparing for their first practicum. Embedding the research–practice connection in the minds of students at this level of study is essential, as using evidence in practice is considered to be a fundamental professional objective. Despite this perspective, it is not uncommon for research to be viewed as an ancillary, if not discretionary skill in social work, with the research–practice gap well recognised in the social work literature. EBP offers students a clearly defined, systematic research framework imminently suited to the novice learner which emphasises the importance of research for practice. Research skills, in particular IL and the ability to find, evaluate and apply information, are essential to the development of effective EBP. Apart from the practical skills of being able to find evidence, critical thinking and reflective skills are key skills also inherent to IL processes and practice, and mastery of the evidence-based approach is impossible without mastery of these key IL competencies. Taking a solution-focused frame, theoretically underpinned by a constructivist teaching philosophy, we detail specific EBP and IL teaching practices, challenges and the remedies applied. The paper concludes with key lessons learned and future directions for teaching EBP and IL skills to social work students at The University of Auckland. Design/methodology/approach – A solution-focused frame is theoretically underpinned by a constructivist teaching philosophy. Findings – This paper offers insights derived from seven years of teaching EBP and IL skills to social work students and investigates specific teaching challenges and details the remedies applied. Research limitations/implications – As a case study, this article deals with one instance of EBP and IL teaching. Focusing specifically on EBP in the social sciences, this may not be relevant for other disciplines. Practical implications – This paper offers insights into methods for merging EBP and IL skills teaching in the social sciences, providing practical examples of activities which can be used in teaching, underpinned by relevant theory. Social implications – To be effective practitioners, social workers must understand the importance of research to practice, in particular how this can improve their professional knowledge and practice. Forging the research–practice connection aids the development of competent practitioners and enhances the well-being of social work clients. Originality/value – The authors outline constructivist–connectivist learning activities that can be used to advance students’ IL skills, develop research capacity and enhance the importance of the research-practice connection in social work practice. While much research has been done on EBP and IL connections in the medical and nursing literature, there is limited literature discussing EBP and IL integration in social work.

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