Thesis (Ph. D., Education)--University of Idaho, May 2008. / Major professor: Sharon K. Stoll. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 150-156). Also available online (PDF file) by subscription or by purchasing the individual file.

This study examined the impact of a full-day evidence-based practice (EBP) process continuing education training on practitioners' self-efficacy pertaining EBP, attitudes toward EBP, perceived feasibility of EBP, intentions to engage in EBP, self-reported engagement in EBP, and EBP knowledge. A secondary aim was to assess the impact of post-training coaching on the aforementioned outcomes at three-month follow up. The EBP Assessment Scale (Rubin & Parrish, in press) and 10 knowledge questions were used to measure the dependent variables in this study. A pretest-posttest follow up design was replicated four times, with two of the four groups receiving the coaching component based on a coin-toss. The results of this study support the effectiveness of this EBP training model, as there was significant change and moderate to strong effect sizes for each of the dependent variables over time in the desired direction. This study did not support the effectiveness of the coaching component. However, very few practitioners participated in the coaching, and for those who did, the dose of coaching was minimal. Major implications of this study for practice and policy include: 1) This EBP Process training model should be utilized as a part of future efforts to implement EBP within the field of social work; 2) The EBP process may enjoy greater success than past efforts to integrate research and practice in social work and the allied fields; 3) Some hypothesized barriers within the EBP literature were confirmed, while others were not; and 4) This study provides additional support for multi-faceted continuing education approaches and adult learning and diffusion of innovations theories when teaching practitioners the EBP process model. Future research should concentrate on finding ways to further increase practitioner engagement in EBP; identifying ways to improve support for the implementation of EBP at the organizational and policy levels; finding ways to address the most salient barriers to EBP, such as time and resources; and more effectively study the potential impact of coaching during the implementation of EBP. / text

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 59-62).

Authors: Carolina Magnusson and Johanna Magnusson Title: The balance between research and practice. A study of family therapist’s knowledge retrieval and the application of evidence-based practice. Supervisor: Jan Petersson Assessor: Peter Hultgren During our research we discovered that a very small amount of research had been conducted about the effect of the social services. It inspired us to fulfill this study. The aim of the study is to describe and analyze what knowledge family therapists in two Swedish municipalities use in family therapy work. We were also interested in which methods they consider having the best effect for social services. Our data collection consisted of qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted with family therapists in two Swedish municipalities. Our primary focus of the study has been the meeting that is taking shape within the family treatment and which components are key elements. Based on the results we have also been able to draw conclusions about how the function of the social services family therapy can be improved and how the work process is characterized by an evidence-based practice. We discovered that family therapist’s knowledge acquisition was extremely haphazard and not on a systematic basis, which the evidence-based model requires. Keywords / Nyckelord Evidence based social work, families/children in social care, knowledge, competence, protective and risk factors and social service. Evidensbaserad praktik, familjebehandling, familjer/barn i socialtjänsten, kunskap,kompetens, tidiga insatser och risk och skyddsfaktorer.

Abstract Authors: Carolina Magnusson and Johanna Magnusson Title:  The balance between research and practice. A study of family therapist’s knowledge retrieval and the application of evidence-based practice. Supervisor: Jan Petersson Assessor: Peter Hultgren During our research we discovered that a very small amount of research had been conducted about the effect of the social services. It inspired us to fulfill this study. The aim of the study is to describe and analyze what knowledge family therapists in two Swedish municipalities use in family therapy work. We were also interested in which methods they consider having the best effect for social services. Our data collection consisted of qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted with family therapists in two Swedish municipalities. Our primary focus of the study has been the meeting that is taking shape within the family treatment and which components are key elements. Based on the results we have also been able to draw conclusions about how the function of the social services family therapy can be improved and how the work process is characterized by an evidence-based practice. We discovered that family therapist’s knowledge acquisition was extremely haphazard and not on a systematic basis, which the evidence-based model requires.

The aim of the research was to explore perceived stigmatization of People with Bipolar Disorder to deepen the knowledge for Glocal Social Work Practice by means of an Interview and Literature Study. The data of the research was gathered from the perspective of people with bipolar diagnosis and a peer within the field, about whether stigma is experienced by people with bipolar disorder and how their resilience factors i.e. strength factors can be supported and enhanced. A qualitative study was conducted with the purpose of expanding the evidence-based knowledge base by exploring how people with bipolar disorder with resilience experienced stigmatization, and the factors that supported their resilience versus inhibited their resilience in their adversity. The research results were analyzed through literature reviews and interviews to gain an in-depth knowledge of the phenomena. The findings indicated that stigma was experienced by the people with bipolar disorder, and was experienced as affecting recovery negatively, creating reluctance to seek help and adding more stress factors. It was mentioned that a healthy social network for support (spouses, relatives, friends andprofessionals) i.e. inclusion along with an active lifestyle, defined goals in life andpurpose, spirituality, nature, faith and hope for a better tomorrow assisted in building and cementing resilience. The findings also indicated that education and anti-stigmainterventions helped in establishing better attitudes revolving around mental illness, especially interventions with personal encounters with people with mental illness.

The aim of the research was to explore perceived stigmatization of People with Bipolar Disorder to deepen the knowledge for Glocal Social Work Practice by means of an Interview and Literature Study. The data of the research was gathered from the perspective of people with bipolar diagnosis and a peer within the field, about whether stigma is experienced by people with bipolar disorder and how their resilience factors i.e. strength factors can be supported and enhanced. A qualitative study was conducted with the purpose of expanding the evidence-based knowledge base by exploring how people with bipolar disorder with resilience experienced stigmatization, and the factors that supported their resilience versus inhibited their resilience in their adversity. The research results were analyzed through literature reviews and interviews to gain an in-depth knowledge of the phenomena. The findings indicated that stigma was experienced by the people with bipolar disorder, and was experienced as affecting recovery negatively, creating reluctance to seek help and adding more stress factors. It was mentioned that a healthy social network for support (spouses, relatives, friends andprofessionals) i.e. inclusion along with an active lifestyle, defined goals in life andpurpose, spirituality, nature, faith and hope for a better tomorrow assisted in building and cementing resilience. The findings also indicated that education and anti-stigmainterventions helped in establishing better attitudes revolving around mental illness, especially interventions with personal encounters with people with mental illness. / <p>Godkända - Studie resultat: D</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, 2009. / Title from screen (viewed on August 27, 2009). School of Social Work, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): Cathy Pike, Hea-Won Kim, Margaret Adamek, Drew Appleby. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 317-330).

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / GREGORY RESEARCH BELIEFS SCALE: FACTOR STRUCTURE AND PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES The study at hand involves developing the Gregory Research Beliefs Scale (GRBS) to reliably and validly measure social work students’ beliefs about the function of research in social work practice. Research has considerable actual and potential benefits for practice. Social work students’ beliefs about this construct are vital. A description of the advantages of using research to inform practice is given. Additionally, the Council on Social Work Education and National Association of Social Workers’ policies that mandate the merger of research and practice are also provided to further justify the need for adequate psychometric evaluation of the construct. Details of the literature search strategy are described and critical evaluations of the empirical articles are conducted. Based on critical evaluations of instruments which have previously measured the same construct, a number of psychometric shortcomings are outlined to validate the need for further scale development of the construct. The present study’s objectives were to develop a scale which has an empirically and theoretically supported factor structure, acceptable coefficient alpha levels, empirically supported discriminant (divergent) validity, concurrent criterion validity, and known–groups criterion validity. Steps for developing the GRBS’s items, response format, sample, research design, and statistical tests are specified and conducted to determine the factor structure and psychometric properties. Finally, the strengths, limitations, and areas for future research are discussed.