Research Guides: Evidence-Based Practice Resources: Topic Guide

Getting Started

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the process by which a practitioner draws upon the best published knowledge, clinical experience, and client preferences to inform the delivery of treatments and services.

Hierarchy of Evidence-Based Resources (ranked highest to lowest)

Summaries of the evidence: systematic reviews, meta-analyses, practice guidelines, evidence summaries
Critically appraised research studies: evidence summaries and reviews, critical research critiques
Individual research studies: randomized controlled clinical trials, cohort and case control studies, case reports, case studies

Social Work Policy Institute
Website promoting the integration of evidence-based mental health treatments into social work education and research. Includes links to EBP resources relevant to social work practice.
What is a systematic review?
A clear, concise definition of systematic reviews.

Handbooks

Evidence-Based Behavioral Health Practices for Older Adults
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The timely information contained in this book can be used as a reference for evidence-based geriatric behavioral health by people who work with elderly clients with mental health needs.
Evidence-Based Practice in Education
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This book explores the arguments of leading advocates and critics of evidence-based practice in education.
Evidence-Based Social Work Practice with Families
Dr. Corcoran reviews the most common problem areas social workers encounter. Each chapter assesses the family treatment outcome literature, addresses different theoretical orientations, summarizes the most current clinical research studies, and provides information on standardized, self-report instruments and their validity.
Practitioner's Guide to Using Research for Evidence-Based Practice
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Rather than focusing on how to conduct research, the Practitioner’s Guide to Using Research for Evidence-Based Practice instead shows readers how to understand the literature.

Clinician's Guide to Evidence-Based Practices by John C. Norcross; Thomas P. Hogan; Gerald P. Koocher
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Publication Date: 2008-04-23
A trio of distinguished scientist-practitioners provides a concise, practical, user-friendly guide to assist mental health and addiction practitioners in accessing, interpreting, and applying evidence-based practices (EBP).
Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice by Matthew R. Merrens (Editor); David W. Lynde (Editor); Robert E. Drake (Editor)
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ISBN: 0393704432
Publication Date: 2005-04-17
This comprehensive textbook is an essential primer for all practitioners and students who are grappling with the new age of evidence-based practice. The contributors explore some of the complex challenges in implementing EBPs, and highlight the meaningful opportunities that are inherent in this paradigm shift.
Evidence-Based Practices in Mental Health by John C. Norcross; Larry E. Beutler; Ronald F. Levant
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Publication Date: 2005-08-15
Addresses fundamental questions in the debate on evidence-based practices (EBPs) such as What qualifies as evidence? What qualifies as research on which to judge effective practice? Are research patients and clinical trials representative of clinical practice? Are evidence-based treatments readily transportable to clinical practice?
Handbook of Evidence-Based Treatment Manuals for Children and Adolescents by Craig Winston LeCroy
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Publication Date: 2008-04-18
This book gathers fifteen varied treatment manuals and brief summaries of the research supporting each to ensure that practitioners will truly understand how to implement the treatments they are using.
Readings in Evidence-Based Social Work by Michael G. Vaughn (Editor); Matthew O. Howard (Editor); Bruce A. Thyer (Editor)
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Publication Date: 2008-11-12

Finding Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

PsycINFO
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Essential database of scholarly journal articles, book chapters, and dissertations in psychology and related behavioral sciences from 1887 - present.
Includes PsycARTICLES journals.
PubMed
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Free database of biomedical and related life and behavioral sciences journal articles. Includes MEDLINE index and links to PubMed Central open access articles when available.

SUMSearch 2
SUMSearch simultaneously searches for original studies, systematic reviews, and practice guidelines from PubMed, Dare (Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects), and NGC (National Guidelines Clearinghouse).
TRIP Database
A meta-search engine that searches across multiple sites of high-quality medical information, including PubMed's Clinical Inquiries & DARE.

Other Evidence-Based Clearinghouses

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Evidence-based practice reports
Service of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services that reviews scientific literature on clinical, behavioral, and organization and financing topics to produce evidence reports and technology assessments.
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC)
Provides access to information and research evidence about selected child welfare related programs.
Campbell Collaboration
One of the most rigorous publishers of systematic reviews in evidence-based social work. This site includes information on EBSW and provides summaries and usually the full text of their systematic reviews; however, their library is very small.
The Cochrane Library
We do not subscribe to the Cochrane Library, but you can search for abstracts, plain-language summaries and other useful meta-information in one of the best known and highest regarded databases of systematic reviews. Some articles open access while others will require submitting an interlibrary loan request.
Evidence Updates from the BMJ Evidence Centre
Registration is required. Advanced search page allows you to limit your search to medical and mental health systematic reviews.
Lifecourse Interventions to Nurture Kids Successfully
Child Trend databases of reviewes and evidence-based syntheses on educational interventions with children and teens
National Guideline Clearinghouse
A public resource for evidence-based practice guidelines from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services' AHRQ.
National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
A searchable online registry of mental health and substance abuse interventions that have been reviewed and rated by independent reviewers. A service of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
What Works Clearinghouse
Clearinghouse on evidence-based practices in education from the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences.

Useful Websites

CEC Evidence-Based Practice Resources
List of resources on evidence-based practice in special education from the Center for Exceptional Children
Evidence-Based Behavioral Practice
Northwestern University site that includes self-paced video training modules for social workers, psychologists, physicians, nurses and nuse practitioners.
Links to Evidence-Based Sources by Client Type and Practice Discipline
Lists several sources for evidence-based reviews by discipline and client population
NECTAC Evidence-Based Practice Resources
List of evidence-based practice for education and learning professionals from the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
Partnerships to Promote Evidence-Based Practice (SWPI)
The Social Work Policy Institute's guide to evidence-based practice resources