Welcome
This guide
- introduces the concept of an evidence-based approach to juvenile justice and child welfare,
- notes selected compilations of evidence-based best practices related to the juvenile justice and child welfare systems,
- points to additional sources to find social science studies that may suggest the best course of action in an individual case, and
- provides tips for effectively using these sources and evaluating the results.
What is Evidence-Based?
In an evidence-based approach, decisions are informed by systematic, scientific evaluation (empirical research) that assesses the effectiveness of different programs and interventions. Combined with professional expertise and a consideration of individual circumstances and values, an evidence-based approach can lead to better results and greater accountability. (See discussion from The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare.)
The following sources provide a more in-depth explanation of the concept of evidence-based practices:
- Improving the Effectiveness of Juvenile Justice Programs: A New Perspective on Evidence-Based Practice (2010)This 2010 Center for Juvenile Justice Reform report discusses assessment methods, including direct program evaluation, research-supported model programs, and meta-analysis, in which data from multiple research studies is used to assess the effects of specific interventions. Meta-analyses of programs for juvenile offenders and Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol (SPEP), a tool that can help assess programs based on research results, are discussed.
- Evidence-Based Programs: An OverviewThis 2007 publication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Wisconsin-Extension explains what evidence-based means and the different kinds of evidence that may be considered. It also provides some lists of evidence-based programs maintained by different governmental agencies and research organizations.
- Evidence-Based Programs and Practices: What Does it All Mean?This 2007 publication explains the way evidence-based and similar terms have been applied by different disciplines and organizations, defines key terminology, and lists clearinghouses of evidence-based programs. From Children’s Services Council Palm Beach County.
- Inventory of Evidence-Based, Research-Based, and Promising PracticesThis 2012 report was prepared by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services in response to state legislation requiring agencies serving children to meet standards showing their programs work.
Finding the Evidence
The first step in finding evidence is to have a clear understanding of what you are seeking. Determine the question you want to answer and write it out. This can help you determine where to look, what search terms to use, and whether you have found information that satisfies your need. The best questions focus on a single issue and should include the intervention, desired outcome, and service recipient.
Once you have a clear understanding of what you need to know, you can begin searching for evidence to answer the question and then assessing the strength and relevance of the evidence you found.
Rather than reading individual research studies and trying to derive principles from these, it is a good idea to search first for a completed analysis of this sort. This chapter from How to Read a Paper discusses these two types of papers that summarize research results:
“A systematic review is an overview of primary studies that used explicit and reproducible methods
A meta-analysis is a mathematical synthesis of the results of two or more primary studies that addressed the same hypothesis in the same way.”
Both systematic review and meta-analysis can be useful search terms when you are seeking articles. Subsequent tabs on this research guide suggest starting points for research, and the next box provides some basic information about research concepts that can help you assess results.
Research Fundamentals
In order to find and evaluate research, it is necessary to have some understanding of research types and concepts. The following sources can help.
- Glossary of Terminology Frequently Used in ResearchFrom the California Evidence-based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC)
- Tips for Assessing Evidence-Based PracticesA list of questions to guide your evaluation of the strength and relevance of the evidence presented by a research study. From the Child Welfare Information Gateway (US Dept. Health and Human Services).
- How to Read a Scientific PaperBriefly describes the parts of a scientific paper and how to assess the research. Prepared by two University of Arizona professors.
- How to Read a Paper: The Basics of Evidence Based MedicineThis book offers guidance on finding published evidence and reading and evaluating different kinds of scientific articles. Although focused on medical studies, much of the information presented applies to other kinds of scientific research.
- Identifying and Implementing Educational Practices Supported By Rigorous Evidence: A User Friendly Guide2003. US Dept. of Education guide to help educators evaluate the strength of the evidence supporting the effectiveness of an intervention and implement evidence-based interventions. It explains randomized controlled trials and their importance.
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