The first steps toward narrowing the gap between research and practice are recognizing that one exists and educating oneself and others. Social workers must realize the benefits and eliminate the misconceptions surrounding evidence-based practice. In the Bradley episode featured in the resources, the social worker combines her assessment of Tiffani Bradley’s individual situation with her knowledge of research to evaluate her supervisor’s recommended intervention. Now that the social worker has recognized a gap, she/he/they need to access potentially relevant information for a specific case and critically analyze for its applicability to that case. This week’s Assignment allows you to practice these critical next steps in the Bradley family case.

To prepare for this Assignment, review Episode 4 of the Bradley family case study. Develop a list with 2–3 researchable questions that you could use to find evidence about the efficacy of 12-step programs or other treatments for substance abuse in adolescents. Then, using the resources provided, search for two evidence-based interventions that would be appropriate for Tiffani Bradley. Be sure to consider quality of research, readiness for dissemination, replications, and costs.

By Day 7

Submit a 2- to 3-page paper that includes the following:

• Summaries of the two interventions and their respective research regarding effectiveness
• Recommendations for Tiffani’s social worker that address the following:
  • Factors to consider when choosing between the two interventions
  • The social work skills that the staff would require to implement the intervention
  • The training required to implement each intervention
• An evaluation of evidenced-based practice based on your reaction to the experience, in which you address the following questions:
  • Would you, as a beginning researcher, have enough knowledge to benefit from researching evidence-based practices? Why or why not?
  • How might the research that you conducted increase your confidence in the intervention with Tiffani?
  • Is the information provided enough to make a decision regarding interventions? Why or why not?
• Appropriate APA citations in your writing

Transcript for the Bradley Case

Bradley Family Episode 4 Program Transcript FEMALE SPEAKER: I know it’s here somewhere. I was just looking at it. Ah. Here it is. Tiffany says that over the last several years she’s used crack, meth, oxy, marijuana. Here. The list goes on. FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, is she attending NA yet? FEMALE SPEAKER: I’ve been hesitant to have her do that. FEMALE SPEAKER: Why? FEMALE SPEAKER: Well, she already has her hands full. Three rests in two years, emotional and physical abuse growing up, and she still isn’t free of her pimp. It’s just a lot to ask of her to also start going to NA, especially since we really don’t know how effective those 12-step programs really are. FEMALE SPEAKER: What do you mean? FEMALE SPEAKER: I don’t know if I’ve seen any research to support it. Have you? FEMALE SPEAKER: You have to be kidding. 12-step programs are the gold standard. FEMALE SPEAKER: But the research– FEMALE SPEAKER: Look at the drugs she’s been abusing. You’re telling me this doesn’t make her a candidate for the primary approach for treating addiction? You can supplement it with other approaches, but the 12-step program is the foundation for everything else. FEMALE SPEAKER: I don’t agree. I think some of this depends on the client. And in Tiffany’s case, the research– FEMALE SPEAKER: No. You’re not hearing me. Research and practice are two very different things. I think you should get Tiffany into NA. And do it soon.

Required Readings

Document: Thyer, B. (2010). Introductory principles of social work research. In B. Thyer (Ed.), The handbook of social work research methods (2nd ed., pp.1–8). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. (PDF)
Copyright 2010 by Sage Publications, Inc.
Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications, Inc. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Document: 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 http://whatworks.uwex.edu/attachment/whatworks_06.pdf (PDF)
Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Madison/Extension.

Document: O’Connor, C., Small, 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)
Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Madison/Extension.

Document: 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 whatworks.uwex.edu/attachment/whatworks_03.pdf (PDF)
Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Madison/Extension.

University of Wisconsin Extension. (2007). Research to practice report briefs. Retrieved from http://whatworks.uwex.edu/Pages/1researchbriefs.html

Document: Small, S. A., Reynolds, A. J., O’Connor, C., & Cooney, S. M. (2005). What works, Wisconsin: What science tells us about cost-effective programs for juvenile delinquency prevention. Retrieved from http://whatworks.uwex.edu/attachment/whatworkswisconsin.pdf (PDF)
Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Madison/Extension.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). Evidence-based practices resource center. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/ebp-resource-center

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. (2018). Program registry. Retrieved from http://www.cebc4cw.org/home/

Social Work Policy Institution (2018). Evidence-based practice. Retrieved from http://www.socialworkpolicy.org/research/evidence-based-practice-2.html#resources

Whittaker, J. (2009). Evidence-based intervention and services for high-risk youth: A North American perspective on the challenges of integration for policy, practice, and research. Child & Family Social Work, 14(2), 166–177.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013d). MSW homepage [Interactive media]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Bradley family episode 4 [Video file]. In Sessions. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.
Accessible player –Downloads–Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload TranscriptCredit: Provided courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.