Johnny M. Jones

The Role of Relationships in Connecting Social Work Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Critics of evidence-based practice (EBP) often challenge the efficacy of applying social work research in practice. Such skepticism underscores the historic chasm that still exists between social work researchers and practitioners. If taught and implemented consistently, the EBP model can mend the connection between researchers and practitioners by merging their roles. Merging their roles, however, requires a renewed emphasis on relationships in the research process. This article explores the role of relationships in social work research. Using a researcher/practitioner continuum, we assess the types of interactions faculty have with stakeholders. We then offer strategies for cultivating relationships with stakeholders that lead to community-derived and implemented research that is critical to advancing the widespread use of EBP in social work.

A Randomized Effectiveness Trial of a Sex Education Program for Minority Youth in Miami, Florida

Through this study the authors assessed the outcomes of a randomized effectiveness trial of Project U-Turn, a comprehensive sex education program for at-risk youth in Miami, Florida. Data collection occurred at pretest, three month, and six month follow-ups with a sample of teenagers randomly selected and assigned to treatment (n = 549) and control (n = 424) groups. Results from logistical and generalized multilevel modeling indicated the program did not contribute to teen responses at three or six month follow-ups. Other variables, however, had some influence on predicting teen responses to questions about their current and future sexual activity. Gender, use of alcohol, and participation in religious services predicted responses from teens at pretest and at three and six month follow-ups. Discussion of the findings, as well as implications for evidence-based social work with teens conclude the article.

Introduction to the Special Issue on Implementation Research

Welcome to this special issue of the Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work on implementation research. As a cautionary note, if you expect a collection of articles that clearly define and explain how to engage in meaningful implementation with your scholarship, you should put this issue down now. If on the other hand you, like us, realize that implementation is fraught with issues and complexities that demand flexibility, then you will certainly want to read each article. We have organized the manuscripts into three groups. The first group includes articles that involve program implementation, data collection on the implementation, and subsequent changes that were made based on the data collection. The second group includes articles that focus on various issues and considerations that are essential when engaging in implementation research. The final group includes articles that address social work education’s role in implementation research. Too often in the social work profession, we seem prone to jump on the bandwagon of the latest fad in an attempt to legitimize the work that we do and to stake our claim as a profession. We adopt concepts, such as evidence-based, translational, and implementation, to our scholarship but too often strive to make our scholarship fit the mold rather than adapting the mold to best fit the meaningful scholarship that we strive for, which exists to advance the profession and ultimately to improve practice outcomes with individuals, groups, and communities that we seek to help. The evidence-based process is certainly one of those concepts that we have adopted with mixed results. Yet we believe the evidence-based process has true potential as a paradigm shift for our profession. Further, we believe implementation research can be a strong pillar that supports the evidence-based process by producing research-informed practice and practice-informed research that will truly translate into meaningful improvements in the way we do social work. The collection of articles in this special issue reflects the current state of implementation research in social work. Some showcase it as the strong pillar it could be, others point towards steps the profession needs to make if implementation research is to reach its potential, while the remaining articles address how to teach it to future social workers. Our hope is that you will find this issue as meaningful a discourse into the complexity of implementation research as we do.

The Influence of Family Structure on Sexual Activity in a Randomized Effectiveness Trial for Minority Youth

This study examined the influence of family structure on the outcomes of a sex education program in Miami, Florida. Using an experimental design, data collection occurred at pretest, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up with a sample of teenagers from high schools with a large majority of minority youth, assigned into treatment (n = 549) and control (n = 424) groups. Results indicated family structure had no influence on predicting teen sexual activity at pretest or at 3- or 6-month follow-up. Additional research using experimental designs is needed to assess the influence of family structure on other areas of adolescent development.