Assessing social work effectiveness in child care practice: the contribution of randomized controlled trials

Authors: Newman, T¹; Roberts, H¹

Source: Child: Care, Health and Development, Volume 23, Number 4, July 1997 , pp. 287-296(10)

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing

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Abstract:

This article discusses the role of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in evaluating the impact of social work interventions with children. While recognizing the difficulties of applying RCTs to all aspects of practice, we argue that controlled trials can provide the most convincing evidence of the impact of social work activities on the welfare of children and families. Accumulating evidence of the effectiveness of interventions, we propose, should constitute the core business of social work research. To this end, it is necessary to recognize the primacy of the randomized controlled trial in exploring the relationship between social work activities and client outcomes.

Keywords: child care; effectiveness; evidence-based practice; randomized controlled trials

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2214.1997.00055.x

Affiliations: 1: Barnardo's Research and Development Section, Policy Development Unit, Barkingside, Ilford, UK

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