Friday, 14 January 2005 - 10:00 AM

This presentation is part of: Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-Based Decision Making in the Non-Profit Social Services Sector

Purpose: Increasingly social workers in non-profit agencies are expected to demonstrate that their interventions and decision making are evidence-based, yet the types and sources of information that actually inform practice remain unclear. This research project examined the sources, availability, and types of information that informed decision-making in nine non-profit social service agencies. The project also examined the variables that enhanced or impeded use of evidence–based knowledge for decision-making in the agencies sampled. Further, participants were asked about potential resources for improving availability, access and utilization of such knowledge. One purpose of this study was to suggest strategies that can enhance and support evidence-based decision making in social service settings.

Method: Forty individual interviews with participants from six different non-profit organizations were conducted and analyzed using grounded theory methods. Participants included a selection of directors, supervisors, and front-line workers. Following coding of individual interviews, representatives from each of the agencies were invited to participate in a focus group where analysis of codes and categories was shared and further ideas concerning the issues identified were solicited.

Results: The research generated findings showing decision-making to be informed by information from widely disparate sources: from the daily newspaper through literature reviews conducted by staff researchers, from clients, from consultations with colleagues and from personal knowledge. Respondents recognized the need, often, to improve the quality of knowledge employed, and also discussed the barriers they face in their desire to access current research and other credible data: these include time, money, attitudinal factors, and difficulties with accessibility.

Implications for practice: Increasingly non-profit organizations identify a need for access to high quality information that is user-friendly. This research highlights how increased demands for accountability require a shift in attitudes and practices by both agency personnel and researchers. Improved partnerships between agencies and universities are a recognized need. Learning to "package" and deliver research with busy practitioners in mind is also seen as a priority. Our respondents see a need for greater direct involvement by practitioners in knowledge building, and for providing greater access to databases designed to get timely and relevant research into the hands of practitioners. A final theme in our data is that since practitioners overwhelmingly rely on themselves and on their colleagues to inform their decision making process, the need for well-educated and competent professionals with access to ongoing training is vital.

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