Styles of Evidence-Based Practice in the Child Welfare System

The use of evidence-based practice (EBP) has been advocated as a means by which to improve the outcomes of services delivered to children and families in the child welfare system. However, the term "evidenced-based practice" has been used to describe several different approaches to using evidence or research findings to improve practice. These approaches differ significantly in several important ways, including their assumptions, how data concerning programming should be collected and used, and who sets the agenda concerning the usage of research findings. In order to clarify the various approaches to evidence-based practice, the authors developed a framework for distinguishing different styles of EBP in child welfare. Two implications of the framework for the production and utilization of knowledge to improve programming are discussed. Different styles of EBP should be implemented when their underlying assumptions are valid for a particular system or situation. Elements of different styles of EBP are often combined in one program without adequate attention to the conflicts among the elements.