PRACTICING RESEARCH DISCOVERING EVIDENCE THAT MATTERS

PROGRAMS, PRACTICES AND POLICIES IN HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE ARE ABUNDANTLY AVAILABLE. ONLY A FEW ARE EFFECTIVE AND SUITABLE FOR THEIR INTENDED AUDIENCES. IN RECENT YEARS, THE PUBLIC, POLICY-MAKERS AND FUNDERS HAVE BEGUN TO ASK PRACTITIONERS IN THE HELPING PROFESSIONALS TO PROVIDE VALID EVIDENCE THAT THEIR SELECTED PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES ARE BASED ON THE BEST AVAILABLE RESEARCH FINDINGS. THESE GROUPS ARE ALSO WANT PROOF THAT PRACTITIONERS' PROGRAM SELECTIONS RESULT IN BENEFICIAL OUTCOMES FOR THE INTENDED PARTICIPANTS. THE DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTABLE CHOICES IS RELATIVELY NEW IN FIELDS LIKE HEALTH, EDUCATION, SOCIAL WORK, PSYCHOLOGY, CRIMINAL JUSTICE. NEW PROFESSIONALS WILL BE EXPECTED TO HAVE THE SKILLS TO EVALUATE RESEARCH AND IDENTIFY EVIDENCE THAT MATTERS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK IS TO PROVIDE RESEARCH CONSUMERS WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR DISCOVERING EVIDENCE THAT MATTERS. EVIDENCE THAT MATTERS COMES FROM HIGH QUALITY RESEARCH STUDIES. RESEARCH CONSUMERS USE RESEARCH AS T