SOCW 6311 Week 1 – Discussion Post Responses

Provide Discussion Post Responses to Colleagues by noting the similarities and differences in the factors that would support or impede your colleague’s implementation of evidence-based practice as noted in his or her post to those that would impact your implementation of evidence-based practice as noted in your original post. Offer a solution for addressing one of the factors that would impede your colleague’s implementation of evidence-based practice.
Be certain to provide reference and citations. You can use the referenced materials from the original post

Colleague #1 – TACO
RE: Discussion – Week 1

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           To earn the label of “evidenced-based practice” several factors within the practice or program must be met and analyzed. One factor that distinguishes evidenced-based practice or programming is experimental or quasi-experimental evaluation designs (Cooney et al., 2007). Experimental designs are preferred over quasi-experimental designs, as they randomly assign participants to either treatment or control groups (Cooney et al., 2007). Experts in the field of study then analyze the findings to measure the program’s effects (Cooney et al., 2007). Thus, another distinguishing characteristic of evidenced-based practice is a critical peer review (Cooney et al., 2007). If findings and peer reviews indicate the program has positive effects, the effects can be linked to the program, and the program is supported by “respected research organization,” the program is considered evidenced-based (Cooney et al., 2007).
 

 
           In adopting evidence-based practice and programming, it is important to note that not all “research-based” programming is evidenced-based (Cooney, et al., 2007). Some programming may be considered research-based yet not scientifically proven to be effective (Cooney, et al., 2007). In selecting programming, I would place preference on programming and practice that is evidenced-based (scientifically proven) over programming that uses research-based strategies or components. Next I would consider if the evidenced-based programming suits the goals intended in my agency or for the specific client’s treatment goal.  Specific aspects of the program must be considered including program length, intensity, and client and audience culture (Small et al., 2007). Finally, I would consider the resources required to carry out the program (Small et al., 2007). For example, it is important to factor in the fiscal resources needed and the expertise required to carry out the program.
 References
Cooney, S. M., Huser, C. M., Small, S., & O’Connor, C. (2007). Evidence-based programs: An overview. What Works, Wisconsin- Research to Practice Series, (6), 1-8. Retrieved from https://class.content.laureate.net/67f305f481964ec20f855bc1c0054f9a.pdf
Small, S. A., Cooney, S. M., Eastman G. & O’Connor, C. (2007). Guidelines for selecting an evidence-based program: Balancing community needs, program quality, and organizational resources. What Works- Wisconsin- Research to Practice Series, (3), 1-6. Retrieved from https://class.content.laureate.net/40cc4815daec59362b9ac569b5181b23.pdf

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Colleague #2 – Dick Slocumer
RE: Discussion – Week 1
COLLAPSE

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A description of the distinguishing characteristics of evidenced-based practice.
Evidence-based practice is distinguished by the continuous, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care and welfare of clients (Thayer, 2010).This means that for every client a practitioner serves he/she is constantly finding the best practices available in such a way to assure that the correct interventions are used based on the client situations. It is important that the integrity of the interventions is maintained and evaluation of how the intervention is working is continuous and changed when necessary. On going evaluation of the intervention with regard to the clients. 
The evidence-based practitioner gives the patient informed consent, relies on good data that will allow the client to meet his /her goals in a reasonable amount of time. Practitioner should be wary that all research-based programs do not meet the criteria for evidence-based programs as they may not have been proven effective (Cooney et al., 2007). 
Provide an evaluation of factors that might support or impede your efforts in adopting evidence-based practice or evidence-based programs. 
Some factors that might affect the adoption of evidence-based practice or programs includes cost, the makeup of those with whom the intervention will be implemented and biases and misunderstanding regarding evidence-based practice and programs (Small et al., 2005). There are also issues of difference in the goals and objective of the agencies not aligning with program (Small, et al., 2007). Situations where the cultures of the agencies differ from those of the program or those of the target population can also cause difficulties (O’Conner et al., 2007). However, the importance of research is a fundamental part of professional social work and has been since its inception (Thyer, 2010). 
References:
Cooney, S. M., Huser, C. M., Small, S. & O’Conner, C. (2007). Evidence-based programs: An overview. What work, Wisconsin-Research to Practice Series, (6), 1-8. Retrieved from https://whatworks.uwex.edu/attachment/whatworks_06.pdf (PDF) 
O’conner, C., Smell, S. A. & Cooney, S. M. (2007). Program fidelity and adaptation: Meeting local needs without compromising program effectiveness. What works, Wisconsin-Research to Practice series, (4), 1-6. Retrieved from http://whatworks.uwex.edu/attachment/whatworks_04.pdf (PDF)
Small, S. A, Reynolds, A. J. O’Conner, C. & Cooney, S. M. (2005). What works, Wisconsin: What science tells us about cost-effective programs for for juvenile delinquency prevention. Retrieved from http://whatworks.uwex.edu/attachment/whatworkswisconsin.pdf (PDF)
THyer, B. (2010) Introductory principles of social work research. In B. Thyer (ed.), The handbook of social research methods (2nd ed., pp. 1-8) Thousand Oaks, CA SAGE. (PDF).

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