Laura M. Hopson – författare

Research Methods for Evidence-Based Practice

"The text enables students to understand how to become an evidence-based practitioner—this is an important part of training students as practitioners."

—Emmerentie Oliphant,Stephen F. Austin State University

This practical and student-friendly text teaches social work students the concepts and skills needed to apply research methods in their practice with clients. It offers them enhanced under­standing of the research process and equips them with the necessary tools and skills to evaluate studies, translate relevant behavioral sci­ence knowledge into practice principles, and implement evaluation procedures in their daily practice. Renowned authors Wodarski and Hopson use social work research methods to examine emerging issues in the field as they pertain to evidence-based practice, such as curriculum development and funding. This approach yields a unique analysis that differs from others on the market because it fully integrates evidence-based practice methodology into the heart of the text, rather than into a single chapter.

This unique volume demonstrates the effectiveness of applying an evidence-based practice process to the solution of selected social problems. It focuses on social work interventions addressing family, community, and societal factors. Research indicates that reinforcement for positive behavior at the group, organizational, and community levels, as opposed to interventions focusing on the individual, are more likely to result in meaningful improvement in well-being. Chapters address issues such as child maltreatment, educationally disadvantaged children, violence in schools, adolescent sexuality, substance abuse, crime, urban decline and homelessness, unemployment, marital conflict, and chronic medical problems.

Empirically Based Interventions Targeting Social Problems is a relevant resource for practitioners and counseling professionals whose work involves interventions with children and families as well as communities. It also is a useful text for graduate students in social work as well as students preparing for other helping professions including psychology, sociology, marital and family counseling, and child development.