Bridging evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence: Developing a rigorous and relevant knowledge for the psychological therapies

Four key areas of research work are identified: efficacy, effectiveness, practice, and service system. These research areas are placed within the paradigms of evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence. This article provides an introduction to these two paradigms and these four research areas together with examples of current work. From this basis, we argue for a knowledge base for the psychological therapies in which each area has a place within an overall research model and in which the interdependence of each area on the others is acknowledged. A cyclical model exemplifying the complementary relationship between evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence is presented as a means for furthering the delivery of a rigorous but relevant knowledge base for the psychological therapies. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.