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SWK 6511 Clinical Social Work Practice

Evidence Based Practice

Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is a decision-making process that uses three main components:

Venn Diagram of Practitioners' Expertise, Best Evidence, and Client Values and Expertise

Source: Nichols, Darlene. Evidence-Based Practice for Social Work. 2021.

Types of Best Evidence Studies 

  • Systematic Reviews
  • Meta-Analyses
  • Randomized Controlled Trials
  • Cohort Studies
  • Case Control Studies
  • Case Series and Case Reports

Appraise the Information

Three questions to answer when reading the research:

  1. What was the research question and why was the study needed?
  2. What was the research design?
  3. Was the research design appropriate for the question?
Learn More about Evidence Based Practice from the National Association of Social Workers