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Apply the Evidence and Evaluate the Achievement of Desired Outcomes

Mark J. Macgowan

in A Guide to Evidence-Based Group Work

This chapter describes the fourth and final stage of evidence-based group work (EBGW), applying the evidence into practice and evaluating its effects. Application and evaluation are not separate ... More

This chapter describes the fourth and final stage of evidence-based group work (EBGW), applying the evidence into practice and evaluating its effects. Application and evaluation are not separate endeavors but intertwined in a circular and iterative process. Group workers apply the best available evidence into practice, remaining as faithful to the original intervention/technique as possible adapting only where necessary, monitoring its effects using measures and a research design that structures the evaluation process, recording results, and determining how to improve both the evaluation and the practice. Thus, the process does not just end with knowing if the evidence “worked,” but continues with a systematic, critical process of improving practice based on the ongoing results of the application in practice and evaluation. Three case examples illustrate the two main steps of the chapter: application and evaluation to ensure desired results.Less

The Critique of Evaluation Machines

in The Evaluation Society

This chapter talks about the implications of evaluation machines within society. It aims to identify the features of the debate that center on the weak characteristics of evaluation machines that may ... More

This chapter talks about the implications of evaluation machines within society. It aims to identify the features of the debate that center on the weak characteristics of evaluation machines that may or may not be viewed as decisive for critical development and discussion of future evaluation practices. It considers the costs of evaluation machines and emphasizes the disadvantage of defensive quality and risk management (evaluation machines are shown to be installed in an effort to deal with risk). This chapter also focuses on the mechanization of control (a result of rationalizing control procedures), the degradation of work, the way the content or nature of work in public organizations evolves due to evaluation machines, and the constitutive effects of evaluation.Less

Spiritual Competence

Ann M. Callahan

in Spirituality and Hospice Social Work

Chapter 8 suggests that social workers can evaluate spiritually-sensitive hospice social work by drawing from models of spiritual competence. Evaluation in the practice setting is essential to ensure ... More

Chapter 8 suggests that social workers can evaluate spiritually-sensitive hospice social work by drawing from models of spiritual competence. Evaluation in the practice setting is essential to ensure that patients experience hospice social work as being spiritually sensitive, rather than spiritually insensitive or, even worse, spiritually destructive. This chapter presents several models of spiritual competence with a focus on Hodge (2011) and associates (Hodge & Bushfield, 2006; Hodge et al., 2006) to evaluate spiritually-sensitive hospice social work. Such evaluation not only reflects the importance of understanding the spiritual quality of hospice social work, but the need to ensure that hospice social workers have the necessary spiritual competence. This includes assuming leadership in sensitizing interdisciplinary team members to patient spirituality.Less

Practitioner Utilization and Creation of Group Work Knowledge

Charles D. Garvin, Richard M. Tolman, and Mark J. Macgowan

in Group Work Research

A more detailed discussion of practitioner involvement than that in other chapters is presented in this chapter. The chapter discusses how group workers can utilize existing group work research in ... More

A more detailed discussion of practitioner involvement than that in other chapters is presented in this chapter. The chapter discusses how group workers can utilize existing group work research in their practice using a process model of evidence-based group work. Group workers are also involved in the generation of group work knowledge in collecting data in the process of evaluating their practice. The use of a core set of instruments is prescribed. A more extended discussion of qualitative and quantitative research designs for practice is included. The chapter then takes on the issue of barriers to research in group work, and ends with a discussion of the relationships among researchers, observers, and practitioners.Less