Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in the Human Services

 

Project: Implementing Evidence-Based Practice: Factors that Influence the Use of Research Evidence by Human Services

Funding: Australian Research Council

Researchers: Prof Stephen Webb, Prof Mel Gray, Dr Debbie Plath, Dr Elyssa Joy

Ethics Approval: No. H- 2008-0411

Introduction:

The purpose of the research is to investigate the barriers to implementing evidence-based practice in the human services in Australia. Implementing research evidence in human services is vitally important in providing more effective and accountable provision. Nationally this research is significant in three key respects: (1) it is the first Australian research project to examine the implementation of research evidence in the human services; (2) it is the first project to conduct a systematic review in this field; (3) it develops a national policy framework for guiding implementation and identifying attainment outcomes in human services. A multifaceted strategy for policy formation based on audit and feedback will be proposed.

What will I be asked to do?

In addition to requesting some demographic information the survey asks questions about evidence-based practice (EBP), such as: attitudes to EBP; literature searching and finding evidence; appraising research literature and evidence; and understanding of technical terms.

The survey should take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.

What are the risks and benefits of participating?

There may be no personal benefits to you from involvement in this research. However, your participation can benefit the social work profession by guiding implementation and identifying attainment outcomes in human services for an evidence-based programme. The research will develop a multifaceted strategy for policy formation based on audit and feedback.

How will my privacy be protected?

We will not know your name or other identifying information as the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) has distributed the survey link. All of the data we collect from you will be treated in a confidential manner. Raw data will be retained for at least 5 years at the Research Institute for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing at the University of Newcastle. The data will be entered into a database for analysis and will be stored on a password protected file. All of the data that is collected for the study will be analysed and reported in summary form.

How will the information collected be used?

The data generated by the research will be reported to the Australian Research Council, will be presented at international conferences and submitted for publication to social work and social science related journals. A brief report will also be provided to the AASW in the form of a newsletter. Participants also have the option to obtain a summary of the results from the researchers.

Individual participants will not be identified in any reports or publications arising from the project.

Further information:

If you would like further information please contact Professor Stephen Webb, Chief Investigator, on 02 49216630 or email: stephen.webb@newcastle.edu.au. Alternatively you can contact Elyssa Joy on 02 49215223 or email: elyssa.joy@newcastle.edu.au.

Should you have any concerns about the conduct of the project you can contact the Executive Officer, Human Research Ethics, University of Newcastle, on 02 49216333, email: Human-Ethics@newcastle.edu.au.

What do I need to do to participate?

If you would like to participate, please complete the electronic survey and submit it. Once you submit the survey, your response cannot be returned or excluded from the analysis, as it cannot be singled out from the anonymous surveys. To commence the survey click Next at the bottom of the page.

The survey is expected to run until September 30th 2010.